THEATRE
PUTTING RECOVERY
CENTRE STAGE
People , Places and Things , Duncan Macmillan ’ s play about addiction and recovery , is back in London ’ s West End . Once again , Taking Action On Addiction – a national addiction awareness campaign led by The Forward Trust – has been chosen as a charity partner , says Sally Benton
People , Places and Things follows Emma , a struggling actor , as she battles drug and alcohol addiction . She checks herself into a rehabilitation centre and at first she ’ s hostile to the programme and completely resistant to its culture of sharing and honesty , before gradually giving herself over to it .
The play was first staged at the National Theatre in 2015 , before transferring to the West End and New York . Denise Gough , who won an Olivier award in
2016 for best actress for playing Emma , was ‘ beyond excited and so grateful ’ to be returning to the role , she said . ‘ Duncan Macmillan ’ s incredible play was a life changing experience for me and many others . It brought me pure joy , night after night , to take to the stage to share Emma ’ s story and I can ’ t wait to bring her back to new audiences and to give voice , and space , to people that live with or have experienced any form of addiction .’
Duncan Macmillan said that the play – which took him almost a decade to write – came ‘ partly out of a frustration with how addiction is typically portrayed on stage and screen ’. The company visited treatment centres and worked closely with people in recovery . ‘ We all felt a responsibility to make the play , primarily , for those who know what it is to live with addiction , for them to feel represented and seen ,’ said director Jeremy Herrin .
‘ Taking Action on Addiction is thrilled to continue our long-standing association with People , Places and Things ,’ said
Forward Trust CEO Mike Trace . ‘ As our Addiction Awareness Week film shows , everybody knows somebody who has been impacted by addiction . We all know stories of people like Emma – friends , friends of friends , neighbours , old schoolfriends , work colleagues , distant ( or not so distant ) family members who suffered . Yet despite this , when addiction touches people in a directly personal way , people find it difficult , almost impossible at times , to find ways to talk about their experiences . The thousands of people who will be seeing People , Places and Things will hear the vital message that recovery is possible for everyone .’
People , Places and Things is at the Trafalgar Theatre , London until 10 August . For more information and to book tickets visit https :// trafalgartheatre . com / shows / people-places-and-things /
Sally Benton is executive director of fundraising & communications at the Forward Trust
Marc Brenner , timeout . com
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