Notes from the Fringe, Edinburgh 2009

We had such warm audiences and about 130 people passed through the doors. Including this reviewer from the Edinburgh Evening News who awarded us four stars!

The Edinburgh Evening News, Friday 14th August 2009
4****

"The prospect of spending 90 minutes listening to a former environmental health officer describe in detail his very personal descent into madness is the stuff of Fringe Theatre.

This production promises to carry the story arc beyond Steve Walter’s experience of locked wards, through to his recovery, but the fact that he’s out there on the stage with his medical notes begs the question of how complete that recovery might be.

In fact, the audience is drawn into a powerful, emotional journey executed with passion and surety of purpose. Walter soars beyond the pitfalls of the self obsessed misery memoir describing instead a small but important history of a human triumph. The blend of poetry, self-confessional prose and performance is hugely enhanced by the music and song of Steve Antoni, whose contribution effortlessly switches the pace and tone of the performance without ever losing the theme.

Walter’s motivation in all this is “the vision of mental ill health being discussed freely in every part of the country, over coffee, over a pint, without stigma, judgement or gossip.”

The number of the occasions that the audience spontaneously identifies with his experiences suggests with this production we may be a step closer to realizing his vision.
Jim Ferguson

And so many kind words from the audience, so supportive, here are just a few. I repeat these here not for boosting my ego but so that you have a feel of how other people experienced the performance and empathized with its content. It reaffirmed to me that this is a universal story of overcoming and growing through all the unexpected things that life can throw at us.

“Beautiful."

“Wow. Fantastic, thought provoking and moving. Thanks"

“Refreshingly honest, thank you."

“Good to hear a sufferers view and fight with an illness."

“Beautiful piece. The train incident was so much like my own."

“Thank you for your honesty."

“Excellent performance."

“You may be interested in ‘Human Givens’ for a stab at explaining psychosis."

“Thank you for being so honest. Very insightful."

“Well done for making it through your own personal hell. I know how terribly difficult and painful that journey is. Thanks for everything."

“I was really moved by the performances – the musician was very good. The review in Fringemag review really didn’t do it justice. I think the performance could do with being “re-branded” not as drama, rather memoir/performance."

“I thought it was great. Well done. V brave."

“Moving and illuminating."

“Thanks for such an honest and giving performance – I am an editor of www.disabilityartsonline.org - will write a piece about the show in my blog."

“A great show, it was very informative. For once I could understand how it is on the other side – to have a mental disorder."

“A good evening. Very interesting & brave to talk about said experience. It must help to tell others."

“Great experience being part of a brave entering of art into the world of painful experiences."

“Enthralling, entertaining and very moving. Thank you and well done Steve."

“Appreciated the humour related to the medical profession – having written many nursing notes it made me think how ludicrous they are!"

“Great show with a great humorous slant! Thanks"

“Very unique and very entertaining. Well done Steve!"

“Steve & Steve fantastic show, very thought provoking and life affirming. Excellent show!"

“Healing from the inside and educating the outside."

“You gave me hope – that dark times can bring productive creativity – from a newly diagnosed patient."

“It’s good to see others are trying to take the stigma away from the illnesses and that life doesn’t have to stop."

“I experienced a breakdown myself & found your performance very enjoyable and comforting. Liked the Lord’s prayer bit."

“I read your article in the Kent and Sussex Courier which interested me – we visit the Fringe regularly. By coincidence, I worked at Ticehurst House (2000-2007) as a teacher of young patients! Have also visited White Lodge in Speldhurst.”

Thank you all for your support, and warm thanks to Time to Change and SeeMe for lending their logos.

Til next time

Cheers

Steve