Impact is a powerful and evocative new play by Sally Lewis that takes a tragic public event – the Glasgow bin lorry collision of 2014 – as the inspiration to examine how tragedies implode on the minds and souls of the people caught up in it.
Neil Gwynne plays four men who were there on the day when many lives were changed forever. A crash of such proportions that it made national headlines, cannot help but affect the lives of all of those that witnessed it. But what if your life was a difficult one before this event? Does such a public tragedy help you overcome your troubles? Or make them worse? Or, ultimately, make no change to it whatsoever?
Originally directed at Edinburgh by Benet Catty, IMPACT gives four men an opportunity to talk, an opportunity which they had never previously had, and asks the all-important question: what next?
Impact casts light on the ‘unseen’ illness of male mental health, sufferers of which mostly continue to lead outwardly normal lives. The shows confronts the ‘masculine’ habit of not talking about things, which has led to male mental health being ignored, with significant consequences. Whereas three out of four suicides (76%) are by men, and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 (ONS), men have measurably lower access to the social support of friends, relatives and community (R.Boreham and D.Pevalin).
“Despite the serious subject matter, the story is a hopeful one,” said Neil Gwynne. “Sally’s nuanced script draws some unexpected humour and pays tribute to the resilience of the people of Glasgow in the face of this traumatic incident.”
Free@Last TV producers of hit international show is bringing the play to the Hen & Chickens theatre in Islington for a limited run ahead of a national tour.
Executive producer is Barry Ryan for Free@Last TV “Impact is a rare find, brilliant incisive writing combined with an authoritative and mesmerising central performance. Even in the crowded space of the Edinburgh fringe the production was a unique standout and we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with Sally and Neil’.
28th, 29th & 30th November 7.30pm £10. Tickets
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