Steve Cooper is the writer and performer of Paradise Lodge, which played an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year and will now transfer to London’s Tabard Theatre.
Paradise Lodge is the musical comedy based on writer Steve Cooper’s experience of caring for his mother-in-law as she lived with dementia. This show is a relatable and compassionate piece that creates an immediate connection with anyone who has had experience with dementia.
Paradise Lodge by Steve Cooper is at The Tabard Theatre 11th – 24th October 2019.
Paradise Lodge is transferring to London, what can you tell us about it?
Paradise Lodge is a funny and moving sing-along comedy set in a care home. ‘The Doodlebugs’, a dysfunctional 1940s duo, are doing a gig just after lunch. We meet some of the residents and hear their stories of life, love and loss. As the duo disintegrate, we witness how the onset of dementia has affected the lives of those living with it and their carers. It doesn’t sound like a comedy, does it? Trust me, it’s bloody hilarious.
What inspired you to write the play?
The play is based on my experience helping to care for my mother-in-law, Dorothy, when she was living with dementia. I’d sit with her, take her to the doctors, hospital, shopping, garden centre, dentist (getting someone with dementia measured for new teeth is a singular experience), hairdresser, reiki, lunch and looking round care-homes. We were together so much I started making notes, trying to make some sense of it all. After we lost her, I went back to my notes and the play took shape. The scenes are all taken from life, sometimes word-for-word.
It’s just finished a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe, how would you describe the audience reaction?
Audience reaction was amazing. I thought our demographic would be over fifty, but it turns out people of all ages have found something in the play that speaks to them. I’ve hugged a lot of people. So many of us have some experience of dementia that there were plenty of tears, stories were shared and reassuringly, we received thanks for letting people know they are not alone in what they went through or are going through. One big Scottish guy said to me (as we cried on each other’s shoulder) ‘You have torn out my heart, cut it into little pieces and fed it to the cat. Thank you’.
Have you made any changes to Paradise Lodge since the Edinburgh run?
The only change from Edinburgh is that we don’t have to worry about running over and being fined or shouted at by the act on after us, there are very strict schedules up there. It means we have time to go with the audience and their reactions – I’m very excited about that.
What’s the most challenging thing for you, performing in something you’ve also written?
At first it was draining because of my closeness to the story and having to re-live it over and over. That still gets me now and then.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see Paradise Lodge?
Paradise Lodge explores an emotive issue and we pull no punches, but you will laugh and cry in equal measure. You might even sing – (no pressure)!
Paradise Lodge by Steve Cooper is at The Tabard Theatre 11th – 24th October 2019.
