A State of Mind is coming to Big Belly at The Cowgate venue what can you tell us about it?
A State of Mind is a verbatim piece of theatre scripted entirely from interviews from Billie. A State of Mind is a one woman verbatim piece about mental health. Have you ever thought you might be a bit wonky? Billie has! In a state of Mind we meet and hear about her struggles in life and how she overcomes them. Using the headphone verbatim (or recorded delivery) performance method provides an intimate and detailed insight into mental health, the use of medicinal and recreational drugs and how relationships form the ways in which we live. If you like edgy humour, documentary theatre and touching storytelling then you will love, A State of Mind.
In the UK and around the world mental health problems are a growing public health concern. We can help support mental health problems through different types of therapy, counselling and medication. A State of Mind was created to give the voiceless a voice and to diminish the negative stigma about mental health.
Is it based on real events?
Yes. A State of Mind is a play that is scripted entirely from interviews from Billie. A woman who has been brave enough to share her stories with audiences because she supports that speaking out about your issues is a good thing. Spur of The Moment bring you a verbatim piece of theatre.
Why did you want to write about this subject?
Mental health is a subject that I do not think is spoken about in theatre enough. Creative people have minds that doubt themselves constantly, their mental health is very important because when you are out of a job for months you either give up on your dream or you pursue it and carry on through your doubts of am I good enough. In every situation in our lives we always question am I good enough, be it personal or professional. To have a play that speaks about all areas of mental health in a relaxed manner allowing you as an audience member to take from it what you will and not be forced to think one thing I think is what theatre should be. You leave the theatre questioning the piece which is what theatre should be, a place to start a debate with the audience and actor.
What do you like most about your character?
Billie is Billie and no one else. She doesn’t try to be someone she’s not and I love that. There never is a moment in her interviews that she shares a story for social acceptance or to shock, she shares the stories because it is what is true. In a lot of fictional plays the characters are written for a purpose either for themselves to achieve something in the story or to affect others. Whereas Billie hasn’t been written for effect, her stories are being shared to help change people’s perspective on mental health for a positive change. Billie has a depth about her that no other character I have played before has.
How does it feel to be at Big Belly @ Cowgate?
It feels great, what a venue! The atmosphere that will be created due to the aesthetic of the space will help support the rawness to the words having the bricks and high ceiling and beams exposed.
What’s the one thing about A State of Mind makes it different from all the rest?
A State of Mind does not hold back on the truth nor does it create a moment for dramatic effect it shares with you real stories from someone who is willing to share them in an intimate way. Mental health is not spoken about enough in theatre even though actors and performers are constantly dealing with their own mental health when not being successful after an audition. Performers are expected to pick themselves up and carry on. Theatre is a great way to speak about such things in an entertaining environment. A State of Mind welcomes you to listen to Billie about her naive youth and troubled existence but not once does she judge or asked to be judged, she asks you to listen that is all.
Why should people come see A State of Mind?
A State of Mind is a show that invites you to listen to Billie and have a good time! Billie shares with you stories from her life involving her Mental Health and relationships. There are moments that are so funny yet dark at the same time. If you are interested in mental health, medicinal or recreational drugs and love then this is the show for you. You will be able to relate to at least one story because we have all been in a situation like Billie.
A State of Mind is at Big Belly @ Cowgate 17th – 26th August.Â
