‘You Don’t Know Me But…’
Created as part of our CARE: R&D programme, You Don’t Know Me But...’ is a Telephone Theatre play, written and performed by Sophia Hatfield and directed by Gwenda Hughes.
The telephone play is inspired by real memories and interviews from a care home in Stoke- on-Trent and tells the hidden stories of care across generations. The play celebrates the dedication and spirit of workers and residents in care homes across the UK. The audio play is an intimate one-woman show performed live over the phone, giving audience members a unique and moving theatre experience in their own homes at a time when live theatre performance is less accessible.
The performance has been created following an in-depth period of research and development with B- Arts. A series of interviews, conversations and memory box activities have uncovered real stories of care from staff and residents at a private care home in Stoke-on-Trent. Whilst the story is fictional, the themes and issues faced by the characters in the piece are based on real conversations with real people.
During a hugely challenging time for care workers and staff, this show sheds a light on the real value of care in society and gives voice to hidden stories.
The Artists:
Sophia Hatfield is an actor, musician and an award-winning theatre-maker. Her multi-skilled work uses spoken word poetry, drama, puppetry, live music and storytelling to bring real stories to life. Sophia explores creative, inventive performance approaches that bring exciting theatre to people who would not otherwise be able to access it. Originally from West Yorkshire, Sophia now lives in Manchester and has worked regularly as a performer and theatre maker in Stoke-on-Trent for The New Vic Theatre, B-Arts and Potboiler.
Gwenda Hughes was an actor in theatre and television before being awarded a Trainee Directors Grant from the Arts Council to work with Theatre Centre. She was Artistic Director of Watford Palace Theatre in Education Company for three years and Associate Director of Birmingham Rep for nine. While at Birmingham, she directed over 25 productions including the Olivier Award winning musical, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. From 1998 to 2006 she was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the New Vic Theatre in North Staffordshire. She directed many of the company's productions and was responsible for creating New Vic Education and New Vic Borderlines, working with young people at risk, young offenders, asylum seekers and other marginalized communities.
Since stepping down from her role at the New Vic she has been working as a freelance director for, among others, Oldham Coliseum, Birmingham Rep, the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster, Women and Theatre, Language Alive, the New Vic, LAMDA, the BBC and the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester.
“Through exploring real experiences of giving and receiving care [...] this project will remind us of the need to treat others with real care and offer a genuine connection to people living in isolation”
The Work:
The below artwork was designed by artist James Fox Neville, and incorporates 9 quotes taken directly from residents about what care means to them. The posters were also printed and given as a thank you gift to staff and residents at the home.
The Activities coordinator and liaison between the production team and the residents at the home has dressed up every single day since lockdown for her residents in a different fancy dress outfit, for the ‘daily wave’ at 11am. As a thank you to her, the other staff, and the residents for being part of the making of the piece, Sophia wrote them this song:
Hello! My name is Sophia and for the past few weeks I have been working with B arts, a wonderful arts organisation in Stoke, to write a new play about care...
During that time, I've got to know some of the residents and staff at St Dominic's, and I've got to know just what a special place St Dominic's is. I would like to say thank you, so, I've written you a song!
Stute Theatre and B arts present The Telephone Theatre ‘You Don’t Know Me But…’ , which toured as a live audio experience during Autumn 2020, supported by Arts Council England and B Arts. The show is 20 minutes long and is performed live over the phone to one audience member at a time. Audience members hear the performance from the comfort and safety of home.
“For me this lit a light in a dark time and paves the way for more alternative live entertainment which is socially distancing friendly – and receives 5 Stars from me”
Melanie Osbourne, Babababoon
“Hatfield’s characterisation feels like a friend you might know who spills out all her news, and what she has to say is thoughtfully written and delivered. Any awkwardness is quickly forgotten.”
Louise Penn, LouReviews