When she gets her way, the woman behind the new ME/CFS play performed for the first time in Cheltenham this week will make damn sure it doesn’t drop out of sight.
And make no mistake. That’s not an ‘if’. It’s a ‘when’!
Hollie Christian-Brookes has big plans for ‘Yawn!, she play she wrote and appeared in, which was very well received at the Gloucestershire town’s Playhouse theatre on Tuesday (27th May).
Faced in the play with the sheer, lumpen absurdity of being unable to obtain either a diagnosis or treatment for her ME, Hollie’s snarls of “You Whaaaat!” – lips pressed hard back against her teeth – set the stage alight.
Afterwards, she told us: “Our goal is to tour the production and develop a workshop model we can take into communities and businesses to help raise greater awareness of the condition and educate others in how best to support people with hidden disabilities.
“We also want to work towards getting a performance filmed to stream, so that the show can reach as many members of the ME community as possible.”
She is prepared to reshape her one-hour, semi-autobiographical play to respond to “some amazing feedback” she received after the show as well as adding extra scenes to show the impact that ME/CFS can have on other aspects of daily life.
Photos show Hollie and Chris in rehearsal, and TikTok influencer Oliver George
Hollie, who will be touring in a production of ‘The Pied of Piper of Hamlin’ this summer, was joined in the show by actor Christopher Irvine, who recently filmed a small role in the BBC’s ‘Silent Witness’.
A big, burly man who could be quite light on his feet, Chris got under the skin of a series of characters – the OT, the GP, the NHS consultant, the quack private doc, Hollie’s stage mum, a bumbling dad, a wacky auntie, etc. None over-egged, none too long – all the sketches a delight to watch.
And that download scene of the great, long list of intimidating ME/CFS symptoms turned into fast, infuriating fun with Chris enacting the silent movie-style scenes to a voice-over by TikTok influencer Oliver George, he of the 40,000 followers. Eventually, at the end of the silent movie, Chris just topples over!
The play was written by Hollie through one long night after she received a challenge from her father. Her grit and determination actually brought the show to vibrant life on stage – with just one technical rehearsal on the day itself. Result? An enjoyable show – with seamless lighting and video-effect breaks.
In the audience was a party from Gloucestershire ME/CFS Friendship Group, who as they filed out all seemed delighted with what they had seen. “That was very relatable”, said their leader, Chantelle Parry.
At the end of the show, there was a collection for the ME Association.
So, Arts Council, be in no doubt. There will soon be one feisty actor and drama coach from Kidderminster on your tail. You had better be prepared to come up with the cash to give this show a future!
Photo shows members of the Gloucestershire ME/CFS Friendship Group in the bar before the show.
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Volunteer, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566
