INTERVIEW: Bethan Morgan & Lynn Hunter - Mercury Theatre Wales
Bethan Morgan and Lynn Hunter from Mercury Theatre Wales, tell me about their new production, opening in Cardiff this week, that explores homelessness…
Why is it important to tell these stories?
The aim of the play is to challenge general preconceptions around homelessness. Finding Home highlights traumas that people have suffered that lead to homelessness. It is important to raise awareness of these various reasons and hopefully give the audience a more informed view of the many members of our society that are living on the streets.
Do you think that the issue of homelessness has changed in any way as a result of the pandemic?
The pandemic changed everything for everyone in some way. During the lockdowns, the people in positions of power were forced to face the issue of homelessness. They were unable to enforce a rule to stay at home, when some people had no homes to go to, hence the temporary housing of people in hotels with the ‘Everyone In’ scheme. But it was indeed temporary, hotels closed and many ended up back sleeping rough, with little notice. Although there were some success stories, ultimately what we lack in this country is adequate provision to tackle the range of complex reasons that people end up on the streets in the first place, such as mental health and drug and alcohol issues. The Museum of Homelessness charity’s research states that 1,313 homeless people died in the UK in 2022 which is an increase of 85% on the figures from 2019. Things are getting worse and worse.
Homelessness can affect people from all walks of life so quickly. Are there any surprising stories in the production that might make people sit up and see the issue in a different way?
Claire, one of the characters in the play, is based on a couple of stories that were shared with us by people who had been at the height of their careers and lost everything, very, very quickly, ending up homeless. Claire is a city highflyer but the ending of a relationship, and the subsequent loss of her job and home, sees her in dire straits. Her plight reminds us that no one is exempt from the possibility of this happening to them. There is a saying that we’re all two paycheques away from homelessness. Especially in the current economic climate, more and more people who had jobs and homes are finding themselves in danger of facing homelessness.
How involved are the people who have shared their stories with you in the creative process and character development for the actors performing in the play?
From the outset, it has been integral to involve people with lived experience of homelessness in the development of the play. They have shared their stories, given feedback on the script, taken part in our pilot performances and devised pre-show scenarios. The actors have therefore benefitted from being able to access real-life stories and experiences, ensuring a true portrayal of real situations.
What do the workshops entail and how will they benefit the young people and homeless charities involved?
The Aim of the Finding Home Outreach is to promote equalities, empower those who have experienced barriers to engaging with the Arts and involve participants from varying environments and backgrounds.
All participants work together, discussing and devising scenarios about homelessness to show the audience before the play.
We are involving participants with lived experience of homelessness in the project, in order to give them a voice, empowering people to tell their own stories, increasing confidence and wellbeing and ensuring the opportunity to work with others on an equal basis.
We are involving participants from community groups and young people who have experience of drama in the project, in order to increase knowledge and awareness of issues around homelessness, offer an opportunity to work with people with lived experience of homelessness, gaining first-hand information and be involved in a project of substance.
The production has a lot of engagement opportunities which is wonderful to see. How important are elements like Alex Edwards’ photography exhibition, the workshops, BSL performance and post show discussions to a production such as this?
Audiences engage with the Arts in many different ways. It’s very important to offer as many access opportunities as we can, to connect with as wide an audience as possible. Some people’s response to visuals, such as Alix Edwards’ pictures, is deeper than when they’re watching a play, and others may need to discuss the issues raised in the play in our post-show discussions.
Can theatre do more to engage more diverse communities in the power of live theatre when it comes to highlighting important issues in society such as this?
Theatre is a powerful tool which can be used to inspire and educate. As a company we choose to use it to highlight important community issues and develop new, thought-provoking work. It’s important to reach out and engage diverse communities in live theatre and offer them opportunities to participate. Often we are introducing new experiences or allowing people to feel included in a way they haven’t felt before. Theatre is for everyone.
Finding home performs at Chapter in Cardiff from 26 to 29 April and Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on 02 & 03 May.