Crowded tour flyer
How do you sort your head out when it gets too crowded in there?
It’s the beginning of summer and the community festival is in full swing in the local park. Everyone is there. Crowds queue but among the smiles and excitement lies something that could spoil this party…
Developed in direct response to the growing number of teenagers in the UK struggling with their mental health, Crowded told the story of ordinary young people whose anxiety, depression and desire led to harmful and destructive behaviours.
Giving voice to emotions that are often unspoken due to social stigma, Crowded was a powerful, funny and uncompromising story presented in a striking spoken word show by three exciting young poet performers: Desree, Laura Rae and Slam the Poet, with additional text by Rosemary Harris.
Crowded won Best Production for Young People Aged 13+ at the OFFIES, the Off West End Theatre Awards, on Sunday 8 March 2020.
Crowded was originally commissioned in association with SPINE Festival and toured London libraries in March 2019. The production was adapted for an immersive theatre tour in autumn 2019.
The production contained themes that some people may have found distressing.
You can access the script of this play via the British Library’s MPS Modern Playscripts Collection. This play is also listed on the National Theatre’s Black Plays Archive.
OFFIE Award (The Off West End Theatre Awards) for Best Production For Young People Aged 13+
“This is an important piece of work and I’m glad that it has a ten venue tour…because it means that lots more young people will see it.”
Sardines Magazine
“Truly immersive experience…. This is surely something that will resonate for so many young people who have ever felt different or unsure of themselves.”
★★★★
The Family Stage
“Thoughtful, sparky immersive three-hander.”
Sardines
Sardines Magazine
“It was so amazing. It perfectly captured the euphoric feeling of post exams but also how disruptive and broad mental health issues can be. Thank you so much. Perfectly delivered as well.”
Audience Member
At the end of 2018, Action for Children reported that 1 in 3 young people have mental health troubles.
“Public libraries provide positive outcomes for people and communities in a variety of ways, beyond simply providing access to books. They contribute to the formation of human capital, the maintenance of mental and physical wellbeing, social inclusivity and community cohesion.”
The Reading Agency, Library Facts
Apples and Snakes and Half Moon believe drama can be a really helpful way of bringing difficult issues to a wide range of audiences. It can help to raise awareness, start important conversations and encourage people to seek help.
We would also encourage you to speak out if you’re worried about a friend who may have been affected by the show. Talking and offering help won’t make the person feel worse, it’s okay to ask if they’re okay. It may be a relief for them to know that someone has spotted they may be having a difficult time and that someone is there to support them.
The young people across London who were consulted on the development of this project, Androulla Constantinou and Elysia Wells for voice work on the soundtrack, the library staff from the 17 London boroughs which were part of SPINE Festival, and the staff at Half Moon and Apples and Snakes.
Have you got a memory you’d like to share? Or perhaps you have a programme or poster from one of our shows that we're currently missing? Then we want to hear from you! The website is a living archive and we will continue to add information as it comes to light.
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