Bringing your first play to the stage is rarely easy, but Leeds-based Alys Williams has had a helping hand - from Leeds Playhouse.
Writer and performer Alys first shared her story idea with the theatre's artistic development team in 2021 and performed a work-in-progress version at its Furnace Festival, an annual celebration of emerging artists and new work, last year. Now comes the finished article, The Light House, in the Playhouse studio (October 5-7), a real-life love story based on her own experiences of falling in love with an old friend and being alongside him through a mental health crisis.
"It's been a privilege to bring this show to life with such an extraordinary creative team, and I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve had along the way," she said.
"I’ve had some amazing conversations with carers while developing the show and it’s extraordinary how much the frustrations, anxieties and little wins resonate. I’d like to think we are honouring that experience on stage.
"In the end, though, The Light House isn’t about mental health; it’s about love and hope, and the way human beings hold on to each other when things get tough."
More info and tickets here