A new play will premiere at Hull Truck Theatre this summer, thanks to a match-funded Grant to Arts from Hull City Council.
A Bitter Pill, by Hull-born Theatre Practitioner Ben McDonald, is a contemporary tragi-comic play exploring Fabricated or Induced Illness, (formerly known as Munchausen Syndrome) through stylised performance, audience participation, and improvised music.
It follows seven-year-old Lucy, who loves going to story time at her local library, doing art at school and eating chocolate for breakfast. However, there’s not much a young girl can do to escape the harrowing isolation of medical child abuse as her mum induces and exaggerates ailments throughout her childhood.
Lucy will leave audiences with a call to arms – to be her voice and to help other children who might find themselves in the same situation.
Ben, who is originally from Preston Road in Hull, is nearing the end of his PhD in Creative Practice in Theatre Production and, alongside teaching, has significant experience in producing theatre within the city.
Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for leisure and culture said: “It’s fantastic to see the council’s Grants to Arts funding contributing to projects like this. Ben’s past work has been incredibly well received and I have no doubt that A Bitter Pill will prove as successful.”
Ben said: “After spending such a long time in development, it’s really exciting to see the work getting on its feet and the wonderfully talented cast are breathing fresh life into the play, adding a completely new dimension.
“The work seeks to address this really important issue without lecturing audiences and, instead, appeals to their capacity for empathy; with comedy and improvised music playing a significant role in achieving this. To all who attend and support the project – thank you, we are truly grateful!”
A Bitter Pill will appear on Saturday 10 August, 8pm in the Godber Studio at Hull Truck Theatre.
For more information about A Bitter Pill and to book tickets, visit Hull Truck Theatre.
Find out more about Hull City Council’s Grants to Arts here.
