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Kya Karoon? What to do?

A play and discussion exploring sensitive issues around recessive genetic disorders and genetic counselling services

Availability:

Kya Karoon is available for one-off bookings and short tours, and is most suitable for performances to small audiences in community venues, or health professionals’ training. Please contact us on 0121 449 7117 orinfo@womenandtheatre.co.uk to discuss how the play could work for you.

Introduction

Kya Karoon? (What to do?) is an engaging theatre programme which explores sensitive issues around recessive genetic disorders. The play is partially bilingual (English & Urdu), and introduces the story of a family still mourning the death of a child from an (unspecified) inherited disorder, exploring the impact on family relationships and the background of the child’s illness, including family history and experiences with health services.

Kya Karoon is a short, accessible piece that is intended as a catalyst for discussion and change, and to develop trust between communities and local health services. Designed for intimate audiences, the piece is interactive and encourages the audience to engage with the story and interact with characters to draw out the story and develop discussion points. Through the story of a fictional family, the opportunity is opened for ‘safe’ dialogue around the subject. Audiences can engage with characters ‘in-role’ and discuss opinions, reservations and fears with the ‘protection of fiction’, with no need to feel that they are exposing personal details or feeling judged. The play is followed by a facilitated post-show discussion with health professionals to provide accurate information and signposting to local support and advisory services.

Like all of women & theatre’s work on sensitive issues, Kya Karoon does not draw conclusions or judgements. The play and discussion offer an appropriate, supported way of passing on information, opening discussion, and informing people about local services which enable them to feel empowered to make their own informed choices. It also stresses the importance of clear communication without shame between individuals, communities and health professionals, and within families about history of illness and genetic disorders.

W&T has extensive experience of dealing with sensitive issues within its work and engaging with diverse communities in a respectful way. We pride ourselves on producing and delivering deep work that promotes thought and open debate. We create a safe platform to air all points of view. At the heart of our work are respectful research and a commitment to positive social change.

History

Kya Karoon? (What to do?) was commissioned by Walsall NHS and was first performed at the launch of Walsall’s Genetic Counselling Service in 2010. The commission followed the very successful Fond Arms of Love, which explored issues of infant mortality. As well as the wider issues of genetic counselling, we were asked to look specifically at sensitive issues around consanguineous marriage. Kya Karoon? was developed through research with community members and health professionals.

W&T and Walsall NHS recognise the need to continue to address this subject and work together with communities to bring it forward for discussion and conversation. We are aware that media coverage to date has alienated communities and created negative impressions about the services available; the attitudes professionals may have and the overall experience they could have when engaging in services.

Notes

Outcome

‘The play was brilliant – which I knew it would be, everything went well…community members… interact[ed] with the actors to tease out those concerns that they do have around the community genetics service.’ Rabina Ayaz, Programme Lead for Children and Infants, Walsall tPCT
‘Excellent’ Audience Member
‘Very emotional, I did not realise it affected the whole family.’ Audience Member
‘Yes that’s what my family did sweep the problem under the carpet and nobody spoke about it.’ Audience Member

Production Credits

Research: Janice Connolly & Bharti Patel
Writing: Janice Connolly
Devising: Janice Connolly, Bharti Patel and Vikash Patel
Original Cast: Janice Connolly, Bharti Patel and Vikash Patel

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