Where is The Life?

Feedback from the 2023 production

SYNOPSIS

 ‘The Beeches’ is a residential home for retired gentlemen of the stage. Despite their ups and downs, the residents have created their own family to replace the ones they no longer seem to be a part of.

"Dreams are to hope my dear, so what would you like us to hope for? A miracle? I think somebody's already got the market cornered on that one and called it Easter"

Tom, Colin, Alan and Don have come from a bygone world. In The Beeches, they have created a new one bound together by images, reflections, memories, longings for the past but equally, yearnings for a future.

"Because at some point we will all become one of two things: your living or your life. And irrespective of either, it will come at a price."

When Kelly, the new Care Assistant arrives she finds in them, a family she has never really known, bringing light into their forgotten world and her own.

"Well. This is all jolly exciting. Just like theatre ... but a little bit more camp."

A world where ‘relatives’ is just a word but ‘family’ means so much more. Because their family has evolved, unwittingly tested by time and formed from love, caring, trust, belonging … and laughter. So much laughter.

"Never be frightened of somebody because they are different to you. But be very wary of those who take delight in pointing those differences out."

She may have years of her life left, but she gives them a priceless gift - by helping them come to terms with the life in their remaining years.

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If you would like to learn more about this piece or details of how to gain permission to perform it, download perusal copies of the script or purchase a copy, please contact the publisher, Stagescripts.

A video walkthrough of the stage set is available to view at this link: https://youtu.be/S88EyxlKLY4

NB: the video shown is a promo for the 2023 production. It uses photos from the 2018 production with music written and performed by Gavin Meredith.

Please note that the script for this play is contained within the published collection from the author, 'The First Ten Plays' which can be obtained as cost from this site by going to the 'In Print' tab.

Gallery photographs courtesy of Colin Smith.