PlayingON Theatre Company's Flock, coming to the Salford Lowry's Aldridge Studio for two nights this month (November 14-15), is a new play about growing up in the care system by award-winning playwright Lin Coghlan.
Those who have experienced care have been historically under-represented, and misrepresented, in the nation's cultural output, says the company. Flock explores the people behind the systems, the moments of joy and the complexities of belonging, and champions the love between a brother and sister as they confront the reality of their lives.
Coghlan - responsible for The Miracle at the National Theatre and other acclaimed plays - was brought into the production process in 2020 by PlayingON's artistic director, Jim Pope, and the play is the result of three years of research and participation workshops with young people who have spent some of their life in care.
Reflecting many of the difficult and inspirational stories of those who have contributed to the development process along the way, Flock is performed by actors who have themselves had experience of the issues.
Jamie Ankrah (Small Island, National Theatre) plays Robbie, a young man about to turn 18 and leave the care system: "I have had social workers all my childhood - it has shaped who I am," he says. Gabriella Leonardi plays Cel, his older sister, who longs to live her own life but worries her younger brother isn’t ready to be without her.
They are joined by Jennifer Daley (winner of the British Independent Film Festival’s best supporting actress award) as Robbie’s caring social worker, and Deshaye Gayle as Miko, Robbie's defiant, loyal friend.
Coghlan presents an honest, moving, and inspirational take on the ability of young people to survive against the odds, and lets the play illuminate the intricacies of providing safety from unimaginable situations, and what life in, and after, care can be like.
More info and tickets here