Powerful piece from Fringe award-winner
2015 Greater Manchester Fringe Best New Writing winner, Alan Stockdill of Talking Stock Productions, will be presenting one of his most powerful pieces this year. The Last Memory, a poignant yet positive play about dementia and family relationships, will be a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society.
The performance is on at The Swan, Dobcross at 8pm on 5th and 6th July. It will be followed by an interval, then an optional Q & A session with the writer/director and actors. It is also on at the Oldham Coliseum Studio on Friday 1st July.
“How can I go to heaven if I don’t know who I am?” says Ernest to his daughter Lynne when his niggling and worsening memory problems are finally diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease. But he also has a plan: to leave a vital imprint of who he is. Lynne is to be the keeper of his memory, the guardian of their past. Join them on their journey; share their hopes, fears, smiles, strength and tears – and arrive with them as they seize the last memory and a carpe diem hope.
“This piece of writing is totally from the heart,” says Alan. “We’re delighted to be touring it to the north west and sharing it with wider audiences.”
This play is inspired by a real-life situation with true stories, memories and experiences. The actress playing Lynne – Talking Stock producer, Catherine Pasek – is living in a similar situation with her own parents who are in different nursing homes living with late stage dementia. Despite the diagnosis and situation, the Talking Stock team show how it’s possible to extract joy out of the pain and laughter from the tears.
“We’re really happy that Talking Stock are helping to raise both awareness and funds with this wonderful piece of drama,” says Alison Bradbury from the Alzheimer’s Society. “
Also touring to Halifax, Huddersfield, Settle, Grassington, Immingham, Glossop and Bowdon. #forgetyounot (See talkingstock.co.uk for dates.)
Press and Audience reaction
“The actors dealt with the difficult subject of dementia tenderly and compassionately, picking out the humour, the positives, the memories and the ‘carpe diem’ moments in a beautiful, truly touching way.” – Halifax Courier
“One of the most moving and inspirational pieces of theatre I’ve ever experienced.” – GH
“Shows the sheer love a daughter has for her ‘Daddy’ who is struggling to remain with his beloved family.” – DB
“Brilliant. There was not a dry eye in the house.” – RM
Background notes
Talking Stock Productions was formed in Spring 2013 by Alan Stockdill and Catherine Pasek. It’s an independent theatre company which pledges to produce compelling theatre with a loving heart and a LOUD voice. Since then they’ve toured several productions which have had consistently good reviews and feedback.
They describe themselves as a philanthropic theatre company with a keen social conscience as they have a continuing commitment to raise funds for local branches of charities through their work.
In the past two and a half years they have raised over £12,500, benefiting Alzheimer’s Society, Childline, NSPCC, Overgate Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Royal British Legion, Age UK, Bradford Cathedral Artspace, Manorlands Hospice. Ravenscliffe High School and St John’s Hospice. They have also been nominated for and won several awards at different drama festivals and Fringes.
For more information
OLDHAM COLISEUM – 1 JULY – Box office 0161 624 2829
https://uk.patronbase.com/_coliseum/Productions/ST12/Performances
GM FRINGE (THE SWAN AT DOBCROSS) – 5/6 JULY –
https://www.ticketea.co.uk
Contact Catherine Pasek on 07785 530129 or email catherine.pasek@sky.com
Twitter: @stickstock123
