Positive Risk is a new play, funded by Arts Council England, that examines the pressures and realities of Britain’s mental health system.

Creative Team

Written by Katie Hoare

Directed by Kimberley Sykes

Co-produced by Stephanie Dale and Katie Hoare

Designed by Abigail King

Lighting Design by Jessie Addinall

Sound Design by Hugh Sheehan

Dramaturg Stephanie Dale

Production/Stage Manager Ian Billings

About the Play

Based on interviews and lived experience, Positive Risk follows Elinor as she searches for support within an outdated British mental health system. During her first admission to a psychiatric ward, Elinor must navigate an unfamiliar world of care, frustration and uncertainty - while also forming an unlikely and humorous friendship.

Cast

The production stars Taja Christian, Amantha Edmead and Megan McCormick.

Taja Christian

Taja Christian is a Birmingham-based actor, producer and model with experience across theatre, television, film and the wider creative industries. Her screen credits include work with the BBC, Amazon Prime and Apple TV, alongside an extensive background in theatre and live performance. She is passionate about storytelling that celebrates underrepresented voices and is particularly drawn to work exploring humanity, identity, connection and community.

Amantha Edmead

Amantha Edmead is an actress, storyteller, singer and drama practitioner. She trained at Guildford School of Acting and studied Dramatherapy at the University of Surrey Roehampton. Her theatre and television credits include The Resurrection of Little Sarah (Unity Arts), Othello (Talawa Theatre), Growing People (London Bubble), Not Quite Gospel(Nu Century Arts), Politics of Love, Black Lives Matter, Still Breathing (Unlock the Chains), Go Noah Go (Little Angel), EastEnders, Doctors, The Bill, Casualty and Song Catcher.

Megan McCormick

Megan McCormick trained at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Her theatre credits include The Magical Adventures of Super Singh R&D (Curl Girl Productions), Seeds of Hope (No Stone Theatre), Delightful(The Birmingham Rep), Anita & Me UK Tour (The Birmingham Rep / Touring Consortium, directed by Roxana Silbert and Daniel Bailey), the world premiere of Anita & Me (The Birmingham Rep / Stratford East Theatre Royal, directed by Roxana Silbert), and This Child (Company of Angels). While training, she represented ALRA as Luciana in The Comedy of Errors at the Sam Wanamaker Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Content Advisory

While we don’t want to spoil anyone’s experience of watching Positive Risk, we’re also conscious that some moments within play may be distressing for some individuals, and we wish to honour and protect that. This performance includes discussions and depictions of sexual violence, self-harm, suicide, and themes of medical negligence. If you are affected by these issues, support and resources are available from Kaleidoscope and on Positive Risk’s Website https://positiverisk.co.uk/ (https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpositiverisk.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CFaye.Brecknock%40Kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk%7Ccb68ab760d5342bd571b08df254415d2%7Ce6e4766403e441ab95ffd29c4c09dc1f%7C0%7C0%7C639270646569378720%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MucgA%2BpACQHLU%2FiUkh0zF9zqxk%2BAVE8JFN62FeZ5N0w%3D&reserved=0)

Description supplied by the event organiser.