Rachael Halliwell presents her debut full length stage play Connection which will premiere at Harrogate Theatre Studio from the 1-5 October.
Rachael Halliwell has had a close relationship with Harrogate Theatre since she started in the Youth Theatre at the age of 7. Across the years, she has worked at the theatre in the kitchen, bars, ushering and has regularly performing as part of the Professional company on the stage.
In 2014, Rachael was asked to be an Associate Artist of the Theatre. Now be working closely with Associate Producer Porl Cooper, Connection marks the first of three projects that are lined up with Harrogate Theatre.
Connection, your first full length play is coming to Harrogate Theatre Studio, what can you tell us about it?
I can tell you it’s a Yorkshire ‘Thelma and Louise’ of an adventure and its set over 24 hours. The two leading female protagonists, Catherine and Elaine, meet as strangers in the A&E waiting room of Harrogate District Hospital. A random act of kindness connects them, and they discover they can actually talk to each other about the heavy burdens they are struggling with. They embark on a road trip together. It’s a liberating experience for both of them until an urgent phone call from Steve, Catherine’s estranged half-brother, demands their return to the Hospital. Get booking! We have only 7 performances and the talent involved is incredible.
What inspired you to write this play?
I experienced my own life changing 24 hours in the same hospital in 2005 when my eldest brother was killed in a road traffic accident. It was a pivotal moment for me, and I know that many people have experienced similar transformative situations. This has made me more aware of all the stories that hospitals hold. It felt like the perfect dramatic backdrop to explore female friendship and the mental load that women carry. I wanted to put women at the front and centre of the story but also to have a male ‘everyfella’ character who was instantly recognisable and struggling to talk about his mental health issues. My personal writing mission is to create quality, engaging drama framed through a female gaze.
What did you find most difficult in writing a full length piece compared to your previous short works?
Initially it was my own self-imposed belief that I could only write one act plays or solo projects. Spurred on by a ‘what’s the worst that could happen’ attitude and the realisation, after completing John Yorke’s Story for Screen course, that I had been writing three act/full length pieces all along but just for one voice. Going back to studying the form of stories and how they work, definitely helped me to realise Connection and crack on with my writing career. It’s fantastic to explore multiple characters and their journeys. I have really enjoyed the process. Harrogate Theatre, our co producers, supported an R&D week for the show which gave me the chance to work on the first draft, with a group of actors, to interrogate the text and the themes involved. We cannot wait to share it with a live audience.
Why is it important to you that it makes its debut in Harrogate?
My relationship with Harrogate Theatre began when I was Seven years old or so, when I started in the Youth Theatre and I am delighted that it’s still going strong after nearly 35 years. It’s my hometown and my home theatre, always will be. Under the mentorship of Andrew Manley and Nobby Dimon, I discovered my true passion for creating and telling stories. One that I knew would have to be realised as a vocation. As a very proud Associate artist and passionate ambassador for the venue, I’m delighted that Harrogate Theatre are co-producing and championing my work. The connection that I and members of the creative team have with the hospital also meant that Harrogate was a natural fit- creatively and regionally- for the play to debut.
How excited are you about the cast that’s been lined up?
I am thrilled that we have managed to unite a fantastic ensemble of talent. They really are something else. Cathy Breeze will be playing opposite me as Elaine and she is extraordinary. Not only has she been in Emmerdale and Corrie but also in some of the most exciting dramas of recent years- Broken and The Moorside. Emma Leah Golding is another TV regular on Corrie and Emmerdale. She also has tonnes of experience of new writing, working with Script Yorkshire and Slung Low. Again- we are delighted she is available to do the show. And then I come to Mr Andrew Turner who is not only a great pal of mine but an exceptional actor. His work as Christian Gately in Corrie and as Macduff on Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald- show his versatility and immense presence. I created the role of Steve for Andrew and I’m delighted that we are working together on my first full length play.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see Connection?
Please come along and support a show where women are the leading the drama and where we explore universal themes of bereavement, responsibility and legacy both from a female and male perspective. Connection handles these emotional subjects with Yorkshire wit and black humour. We want to start having bigger conversations about mental health and we will be available after each performance, in the circle bar, to talk to the audience and share stories. Join us on a Yorkshire Thelma and Louise of an adventure with an incredible acting ensemble, fresh new design talent, a road trip to Scarborough and specially composed songs from BBC introducing act and Harrogate band – The Paper Waits.
