AN innovative new touring theatre show that aims to break the silence around men’s mental health visits Combeinteignhead this weekend
Performances of Blind Spot take place inside a car, with audience members sat in the back seats and actors in the front.
Funded by Arts Council England and produced by Alright Mate? , the show was created through a series of interviews with men living in Devon and offers a humorous yet poignant exploration of the roadblocks men face when talking about their feelings.
After launching at Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the show is currently touring to locations across the South West including car parks, town centres, parks and playing fields.
Cally Hayes, director of Alright Mate and writer of Blind Spot shared insights into the inspiration behind the project.
‘We've had so much fun making this show, but there is a serious message behind it, with suicide continuing to be the biggest cause of death in men under 50,’ she said.
‘We spoke to 14 men living in Devon who shared their stories with us about how hard it can be for men to open up about how they feel.
They wanted the show to be funny and about being honest with yourself, because it’s only when you’re honest with yourself that you can get the help you need.’ The show’s director Luke Jeffery added: ‘I think comedy and laughter can be really powerful tools for tackling difficult subjects.
‘The Global Mind Project's latest report ranked the UK second to last in mental wellbeing, highlighting the scale of the problem. If we put this show on in a theatre nobody would be talking about it, but the unconventional concept seems to have captured people's imaginations and is already sparking lots of conversations.
For more information or to book tickets visit the website alrightmate.org