‘Blue Skies’: The latest social care play to visit Cumbria
Brian Daniels is an award-winning playwright who tours his work all over the UK. His latest piece about life beyond loss is set to be performed in Cumbria later this month.
Kyle’s father is no longer on the scene, and he lives with his mum and grandpa. However, after his mum is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, Kyle and his family are forced into the unimageable, as they have to plan what life will be like after she has passed.
Daniels’ play, which was originally commissioned by Wakefield Hospice, explores how families/loved ones begin such tragic conversations.
Previously, ‘Blue Skies’ has been performed at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds and Keech Hospice and Luton. Now, it will be showcased at Barrow-in-Furness on 9th May as part of St Mary’s Hospice’s ‘Love, Life and Death’ event, for Dying Matters Awareness Week.
Arguably, Daniels’ production, which is free to attend, couldn’t have come at a better time. According to the latest figures from the end-of-life charity Marie Curie, 33% of people avoid speaking about the death of their loved ones to steer clear of making other people feel uncomfortable. However, bottling up such feelings can lead to severe mental health problems.
In addition, data published by the UK Commission on Bereavement, showcase that across England and Wales, 614,000 people died during 2020 and 2021, leaving an estimated three million people facing grief. This is 75,000 more deaths than the average across the previous five years.
Following this, it is speculated that even more people died in 2022. Research that was published last month from the Office of National Statistics found that a record number of people passed away from alcohol poisoning in 2022.
As well as dealing with the subject of loss, Daniels has said that he wrote ‘Blue Skies’ to ‘encourage conversations around advanced care planning, organ donation, living wills, power of attorney and post-bereavement help and support.’
Daniels said: ‘I wrote the play to highlight that hospice care isn’t just for older people. Younger people face having to spend their last days being cared for by wonderful staff in places like St. Mary’s.’
As well as being entertaining, the play is designed to be educational and informative and aims to raise awareness of various health issues – especially concerning life beyond loss. The performance will therefore be followed by a discussion by an invited panel of guests plus a Q&A with the audience, which, is an integral part of the event.
Moreover, St Mary’s staff will be encouraging conversations around the subject of loss in a relaxed and supportive space.
Lynsey Lawson, compassionate communities team lead, said: ‘Our team at St Mary’s has been set up to drive access to hospice services for those groups in our region who, traditionally, haven’t used us or don’t think hospice care is for people like them.
‘Bringing the excellent play to Barrow, and inviting community leaders to come and enjoy it, will help us reach more people and start to break the taboo around hospice care.’
Daniels’ performance will be taking place between 1-3pm at the Forum, and seats can be booked here.
Image: Brian Daniels
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