This year, Naked Frank Theatre are partnering with The Actors Centre to produce a bold and innovative project, that tackles mental health head on and provides a platform for writers, from all over the country, to share their experiences in battling their own inner demons. In April Naked Frank Theatre opened its mailbox to writers, poets and artists and asked them to tell their tales in the most bewitching and enchanting manner. What they received was a surge of heart wrenching, jaw dropping and yet somewhat tantalising narratives from brave individuals, who were willing to share their most intimate struggles. In honour of these stories, and the many more that go unheard, Naked Frank Theatre will be producing their latest show Tales Of The Monsters In My Head and performing it over three days from 14th - 16th August at the Tristan Bates Theatre. The entire event; in celebration of poetry, physical storytelling and the power of writing to promote mental health recovery, is free to the public and includes a Q&A with the cast and writers and a Meet&Greet. All writing submitted to the project will be displayed in an exhibition for audiences to enjoy throughout the Meet&Greet. The entire event is an opportunity for creatives and survivors to network, discuss and collaborate in an open forum.
"It's a chance for mental health discussion and debate to be encouraged and supported among communities and for survivors to continue to have their voices heard. Empowerment is the most important factor here. There is no shame in disclosing your struggles with maintaining positive mental health."
The project, designed to serve as a positive voice for those that are still under represented, will push audiences to their limits; asking them to question their perceptions on mental health and reassess the very nature of what it is to lose yourself completely to the monster in your head.
"We started out on this journey with one idea in mind, but now we're on an adventure that is endless, boundless and free to be whatever it chooses to be. Ironically, it's a process that works in the same way as the human mind. It's complete chaos and we're trying to find the order."
Whimsical, revealing and daring; Naked Frank Theatre’s latest production, Tales Of The Monsters In My Head is an honest yet artistic snapshot into mental health and all its bewildering qualities. Blending the traditional poetry slam framework with physical storytelling and visual imagery, Naked Frank Theatre promise to excite and inspire their audiences with this dynamic, fresh and forward thinking take on performance poetry. Collaborating with writers from all over the country, Naked Frank Theatre delves deep into the words of those who have been lost, and sometimes found, in their own mind; and digs up a roller-coaster journey of enlightening, funny, dark and at times, overwhelming tales to reveal the inner workings of human mentality from a relatable perspective. Battling with your mental health can be exhausting, petrifying and debilitating; BUT…it can also be enchanting, bewitching and beautiful. This playful performance, originally inspired by the writings of Sophie Payne, plummets audiences into a colourful world of poetry, storytelling and physical theatre, bringing the previously unheard tales of the 1-in-4 to life.
CREATIVE TEAM
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Carleigh-Ann Portelli
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Claire Louise Portelli
CAST Carleigh-Ann Portelli Claire Louise Portelli
WRITER Sophie Payne Roberta Hamond Angela Blesky Jenny Meehan Joanne Gale Holly Wakeman Emma Chinery Ellen Olivia Warren Stevie Freddie Worrell Lorna Meehan Christopher Moore Zoë Glen Mark Burrows Maliha Vincent Gasper Ana Cameron Frances Llewellyn Tim Kiely Dide Akseymen Lucy B Dieta Richards Kwebena N Bazza. L Eric Andrew J Hakeem Niami Palfreman Benoit C James H
STAGE MANAGER Claire Louise Portelli
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN Mitchell Reeve
SOUND TECHNICIAN Mitchell Reeve
MUSIC Dennis Pettard
PUBLICITY TEAM Beth Allen Holly Morgan
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR Will Mytum
PROJECT BLOGGER Beth Allen
PRODUCER Naked Frank Theatre
VENUE Tristan Bates Theatre
SPECIAL THANKS TO Ann Allen Nicole Unthank Sherrie's Dancewear Sherrie Hardaker Debbie McNamara Survivors Poetry The Poetry Cafe The Actors Centre Team Mind Charity Rethink Mental Illness Holly Berrigan Mental Health Foundation FUNDED BY Kent Members Grant Scheme
