Directors Note
Tuesday 12th May 2022
Rehearsals for the second Act of our current piece are moving forward nicely. The play is slowly coming together in a way that is not only encouraging but also intriguing. We have managed to construct the basics for the first two scenes of Act 2, the consequence of which we have decided more work is needed around the interpersonal dynamics of the characters. In all the years that we have been working as a company, this particular piece has more going on below the surface than perhaps we can convey on stage: more subtext than text. To reveal all the dynamics at play would mean the show would, undoubtedly, run over two productions as opposed to one. The characters have a sense of longevity about them, as though they could be called on to be involved in different scenarios at a later date. There is something novel-like about their qualities, which is a testimony to the company members and their skill in developing characters.
It has been difficult forestalling performances for this particular show. Whilst Act 1 is complete and ready for performance (save underscore) we have decided to spend the time we’re together developing the whole piece instead. As much as it is disappointing not to perform as regularly as we wish, in truth, to do so may well have taken momentum away for developing Act 2.
I look forward to next week as we are due to hold a workshop/performance for the doctorate in psychology students at Herts Uni. It will give us the chance to hear some feedback on Act 1, and for them to learn more about living and coping with mental illness as the company share their narratives and expertise in both of these areas.
Gerald Maiello
Tuesday 12th May 2022
Rehearsals for the second Act of our current piece are moving forward nicely. The play is slowly coming together in a way that is not only encouraging but also intriguing. We have managed to construct the basics for the first two scenes of Act 2, the consequence of which we have decided more work is needed around the interpersonal dynamics of the characters. In all the years that we have been working as a company, this particular piece has more going on below the surface than perhaps we can convey on stage: more subtext than text. To reveal all the dynamics at play would mean the show would, undoubtedly, run over two productions as opposed to one. The characters have a sense of longevity about them, as though they could be called on to be involved in different scenarios at a later date. There is something novel-like about their qualities, which is a testimony to the company members and their skill in developing characters.
It has been difficult forestalling performances for this particular show. Whilst Act 1 is complete and ready for performance (save underscore) we have decided to spend the time we’re together developing the whole piece instead. As much as it is disappointing not to perform as regularly as we wish, in truth, to do so may well have taken momentum away for developing Act 2.
I look forward to next week as we are due to hold a workshop/performance for the doctorate in psychology students at Herts Uni. It will give us the chance to hear some feedback on Act 1, and for them to learn more about living and coping with mental illness as the company share their narratives and expertise in both of these areas.
Gerald Maiello
We have just completed four 2 hour long role play sessions for the Mental Health Nursing students from the School of Health and Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire where we acted out various scenarios of clinical assessments. This is what Laura, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing and Assistant Associate Dean for Student Experience had to say about our sessions -
" May Contain Nuts did a series of improvisation role plays with our student nurses. This was an excellent experience and we saw the students grow each week in their communication skills, approach and confidence. The theatre company were fantastic at adapting their responses to how the students spoke and reacted to the situations presented in the role plays to allow a more "real life" feel. The actors also reflected back with the students afterwards about the role plays to allow the students to think about their communication and also shared some of their personal experiences of living with mental health problems and what they've found has helped from professionals. This experience complimented taught sessions perfectly, and is something the students will value throughout their course and professional careers. Thanks May Contain Nuts, and we look forward to welcoming you back again!"
True to her word, we have already been invited back next year for 6 sessions and we look forward to that immensely. We will post a full blog soon with an in depth look at these sessions from our perspective and describe how important these teaching opportunities are for us as 'service users' and the mental health professionals of the future.
22 April 2022
" May Contain Nuts did a series of improvisation role plays with our student nurses. This was an excellent experience and we saw the students grow each week in their communication skills, approach and confidence. The theatre company were fantastic at adapting their responses to how the students spoke and reacted to the situations presented in the role plays to allow a more "real life" feel. The actors also reflected back with the students afterwards about the role plays to allow the students to think about their communication and also shared some of their personal experiences of living with mental health problems and what they've found has helped from professionals. This experience complimented taught sessions perfectly, and is something the students will value throughout their course and professional careers. Thanks May Contain Nuts, and we look forward to welcoming you back again!"
True to her word, we have already been invited back next year for 6 sessions and we look forward to that immensely. We will post a full blog soon with an in depth look at these sessions from our perspective and describe how important these teaching opportunities are for us as 'service users' and the mental health professionals of the future.
22 April 2022
The last two years have been a busy time for the company. As well as our usual approach to creating new and stimulating projects each year, we also maintained our commitment to educating people more fully about mental illness and mental health care. We took part in a number of celebrations and workshops during mental health awareness week in 2019 and maintained our commitment to universities as part of their teaching programmes throughout the year. Prior to the lockdown we engaged in public performances of our Monologues and the previous year (2018) with our production of Fragments. There has also been a significant change in our membership which meant we had to take time to readjust ourselves as a Company. During that time we produced a number of high quality plays and workshops. We performed at open venues – theatres and pubs – schools, universities, mental health units, charities, conferences and on the streets of Hemel Hempstead. Just prior to the lockdown we began to work on our new project: the impact of social media on our mental health. We had begun discussions with schools, both primary and secondary, to develop our project so that it would be classroom based, appropriate to a number of age groups and enabling of discussion and reflection. Sadly, lockdown meant we were unable to use our regular space for rehearsals and therefore the project was put on hold, although in the coming weeks we are very hopeful that we will have a venue to rehearse in, we can then begin to map out this production once more. During lockdown, however, we have remained together and as active as we can. We have manged to facilitate some online sessions and have been booked for two future dates this year, one of which will be pre-recorded the other we hope will be back in the lecture halls of Hertfordshire University. We remain optimistic and hopeful that we can soon begin performing again and that come this time next year we will be, once more, back on the road facilitating workshops and sharing our work.
16th September 2020
