Groundbreaking play addressing the difficulties of dementia is set for Leeds Beckett

To mark Dementia Awareness week Leeds playwright Brian Daniels will hold two public performances of ‘Don’t leave me now’, on Tuesday 17 May. A cast of five professional actors will be performing a dramatised ‘script in hand’ reading of the play which explores, with humour and insight, the impact on two very different Yorkshire families, before and after, an early onset dementia diagnosis.

The play will be held at 2.30pm at Headingley campus, followed by a second performance at 6pm at The Rose Bowl at the University’s city campus. Claire Surr, Professor of Dementia Studies at Leeds Beckett, will lead post-show discussions following each play, encouraging the audience to engage and ask questions.

Led by the University’s Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Dementia Awareness Week will run from Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May and will also include free public lectures and lunchtime ‘quick-bite’ research seminars open to students, staff and the public. For the full schedule of events visit: http://bit.ly/LeedsBeckettDementia.

Professor Surr said: “We are running a range of free events across both university campuses to help raise awareness about dementia among our students, staff and the wider community.”

Professor Surr added that even though people are generally now more aware of dementia, that there is still a great stigma around it.

“Although people have heard of it, they don’t necessarily know enough about it to be able to support people,” she commented. “This week is a really good opportunity for us to talk about dementia in a more positive light and let people know the small things they can do to help that can make a big difference to people living with dementia and their family.

“The play is a moving and humorous account of the highs and lows families may face when someone is diagnosed with dementia. It very poignantly uses the interwoven stories of two families to show that despite the many losses dementia can bring, the ability to love and be loved endures.”

‘Don’t leave me now’ was inspired by the true stories of Leeds Beckett’s Professor Rachael Dixey who cared for her partner through early onset dementia for ten years -  every day writing in her journal about her experiences. In the same care home lived Chris Toulman whose wife Cindy visited him every day and all day for the last seven years of his life. Playwright Brian Daniels weaves the strands of these two stories to create a drama with authenticity and impact.

Born in Leeds, Brian Daniels was Artistic Director of the New End Theatre, Hampstead, London, between 1997 and 2011. During this time he produced more than 200 new plays, musicals and events. He was Artistic Director of the Shaw Theatre, London, where he produced concerts by Eartha Kitt, Elaine Stritch, Gloria Gaynor, Boy George, Dionne Warwick and Michael Feinstein.

Places for the events are limited and booking via the above link is required. For any enquiries please contact dementia@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.