Resurgence Theatre Company: the presentation of Differentia at the First National Personality Disorder Congress
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/mhrj.2010.0735 |
| Date | 14 December 2010 |
| Published date | 14 December 2010 |
| Pages | 26-28 |
| Author | Susan Franklyn,Fiona Thompson,James Lamb |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Mental Health Review Journal Volume 15 Issue 4 December 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd
26
Susan Franklyn
Writer, director, actor (Sarah/Dr Harper)
Fiona Thompson
Actor (Joanne) and service user
James Lamb
Actor (Liam/Andrew)
Resurgence Theatre Company:
the presentation of Differentia
at the First National Personality
Disorder Congress
Abstract
The authors provide three personal perspectives on personality disorder, based on their involvement in
writing, directing and acting in a Resurgence Theatre Company production, Differentia, which provided
a dramatic representation of personality disorder. The production was shown at the First National
Personality Disorder Congress.
Key words
Personality disorder, First National Personality Disorder Congress, the arts, theatre.
Susan Franklyn
Writer, director, actor (Sarah/Dr Harper)
When a pproache d by K ath Lov ell of Emergence
and Fi ona Tho mpson, actress and service user,
in sum mer 200 9 with a view to Resurgence
creatin g a dr amatic represen tation of
persona lity di sorder (PD), I was i mmediate ly
engaged . I ha ve know n Fiona for 17 years
and wi tnessed her struggle s and subsequent
and co ntinuing recove ry at close h and.
An opp ortunity to he lp comm unicate the
experie nces of those impacted by borderline
persona lity di sorder (BPD) i n parti cular f elt like
somethi ng of a privi lege.
The th ree of us discusse d possi ble way s
forward . Kath suggested th at the plight of
young carers was an area in ne ed of exposure ,
and I was keen t o explo re the structure o f ‘the
system’ and i ts impa ct upon profes sionals and,
through them, service user s.
From a writing perspective, the objective
became to create a clear, searching, dramatic but
non-sensational narrative that would highlight
some of the dilemmas facing service users, carers
and professionals. Above all, the piece had to
be utterly authentic. The intention was that the
audience would be left with little choice but to
feel the painful reality of all characters involved.
From enlightening research meetings with
service users, carers and professionals, emerged
the idea of the central relationship – that of a
creative and talented mother, Joanne, with a
diagnosis of BPD, and her 18-year-old son Liam.
Once I had decided that the dramatic conflict
would be ignited by the imminent departure of
Liam to university, the piece began to take shape.
With a short drama, there is no time to woo your
audience; we needed to create an immediate
impact whilst drawing empathy for characters
embroiled in a situation of extreme distress.
10.5042/mhrj.2010.0735
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