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Robbie's Story

A play & workshop exploring homelessness & associated risk factors

Availability:

Currently available for short tours. Please contact info@womenandtheatre.co.uk for more information

Introduction

“Better than Eastenders on a Sunday!”
Audience member

Robbie’s Story is a hard hitting drama, presenting one person’s struggle with homelessness against a backdrop of displacement, deteriorating relationships and drug abuse. Accompanied by a facilitated workshop, the play is effective for examining:

  • Risk factors associated with homelessness
  • The impact of drug abuse
  • Barriers to homeless people accessing education

Robbie has felt homeless all his life, as his father constantly moved the family around the country. This coupled with his deteriorating relationship with his mother causes him to leave home. He seeks to satisfy his need for excitement through drugs. Following a relationship in which he starts to repeat the patterns of his violent father, he sinks further into drug addiction and homelessness. A worker in a homeless organisation recognises his intelligence and eventually persuades him to endure the horrors of withdrawal from drug addiction and to consider ideas as a more effective antidote to boredom.

The play is accompanied by a facilitated discussion, allowing audiences to engage with the issues raised, share their experiences and receive accurate information. The focus of this can be tailored to the needs of the group.

It is equally effective for community groups, students, homeless people and those identified as being at risk, as well as education, health and social care professionals who work with the above groups. Please note that Robbie’s Story is not suitable for people under age 16.

History

Women & Theatre developed Robbie’s Story in 2000 in partnership with Fircroft College, Dudley Priority Health Trust and Birmingham Health Authority, with funding from the Department of Further Education and Employment (Dfee).

Since its creation, it has been performed numerous times, most recently in partnership with Leicester YMCA, touring school over a 2-week period. Other performances have included:

  • South Birmingham College
  • Bromsgrove Youth Homeless Forum
  • St Martin’s Youth Centre, Birmingham

Notes

Robbie’s story uses music, physical theatre , and strong images and words. The piece is performed in ensemble and has a fresh urban feel to it without in any way glorifying drug abuse.
Janice Connolly, W&T Artistic Director

Outcome

Booker quotes

“It was very well presented and clear and the way the actors interchanged characters and expressed emotions was fantastic.”

“Excellent – pupils and staff really enjoyed it. Hard hitting but humorous and absorbed our pupils (we know because they didn’t interrupt). The discussion was pitched just right to match our students ability”

“W&T have a very good understanding of behaviour support services needs.”

“I think that the strong performance, honest/real use of language and mime truly represented a typical scenario/series of events that can lead to homelessness. This is a good, punchy, fast moving, engaging piece to show youth groups, as it means to challenge and provoke thoughts and ideas.”

Audience quotes

“It’s all about choices – good and bad.”

“It shows real life and what really happens.”

“Thanks for the invite. It was a very strong piece – very compelling.”

Production Credits

Researched & Written by: Janice Connolly & Polly Wright
Originally directed by: Janice Connolly
Originally performed by: Jesse Inman, Eve Jones & Bharti Patel
Set Design by: Sue Hall
Music by: Mike Aduwali

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