Wythenshawe stories inspire new play
Real-life stories from Manchester grandparents have been the inspiration behind a new play making its premiere, as part of Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2016.
Aspects of Ageing, by Marie Greenhalgh, will be performed by the Captain Leg Theatre Company, at the King Arms, Salford, 28-30 July.
The play is about enduring relationships, brave, strong, pioneering and innovative young women and the integration of prisoners of war into local communities.
It also observes the present day relationships of cousins Samuel and Olivia. Finding a space to be alone, as a funeral reception is in full swing down stairs, they search through their great granddad’s personal effects and find a diary.
Former policewoman Marie, 61, who works with Wythenshawe Good Neighbours, said: “In my job I work with older people. We give them volunteer companionship and they tell us loads of stories.
“Some of them are heartbreaking. Some are hilarious and some are like walking history. There were too many to ignore so I made it into a play. Now we have several stories channeled into five characters. We take it from the end of the Second World War, right up to present day.
“There are many aspects to ageing and once youre heard a story you see that person in a different light. It started as monologues. Those monologues became a story, which Ive made it into a continuous flow, so the audience can see a friendship that blossoms and a love story.
“Ive written quite a few plays but they have been one-off dramas and this is the first time Ive done something like this. So we are open to feedback.
Buy tickets: https://www.ticketea.co.uk/tickets-theatre-aspects-of-ageing/