Have you ever made a monkey of yourself?
Common Chorus’ Drink With a Chimp is a new play about one woman’s struggle with addiction and her journey to recovery. Based on biographical stories from clients at the Spacious Places recovery centre, Sally’s story is one of loss and desperation, of hope and reconciliation to her long lost brother. This is a story about the realisation that recovery isn’t only about giving up drink and drugs, that’s just where it begins. As Sally discovers, recovery is a much bigger journey.
Drawing on the 12 step programme and Prof. Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox this is a story of hope for anyone who has ever wanted to be ‘better’.
Common Chorus
Common Chorus is a theatre company based in Leeds led by Director Simon Brewis that tells thought provoking stories based upon real experiences whose shows are entertaining, thoughtful and socially political. Whose style is visual, progressive and accessible.
Projects are driven by Director Simon Brewis who begins by working with individuals or groups telling important personal stories. Sometimes he works with these people to create community performances, and sometimes these stories are told by professional actors. Either way, at the heart of Common Chorus are genuine stories, which are important for people to hear.
Lynsey Jones and Daniel Ingram Brown have been working alongside Simon with clients at Spacious Places Recovery Centre to develop Drink With a Chimp.
You can read Lynsey’s blog about working on Drink with a Chimp.
From Simon Brewis, Director, Drink With a Chimp :
Drink with a Chimp is about hope, it is about good mental health, it is about what we learn from people who have travelled to the edge and made it back again. Working with the clients at Spacious Places I have discovered so much about myself that is transferable to all sorts of other parts of my life. I want the story that we are telling to help an audience understand how a person gets to that stage and more importantly how the recovery works. Drink With a Chimp isn’t a tragic story – it is a story about how a person can journey from rock bottom to become a role model.
From a Spacious Places Client :
Recovery from addiction isn’t just about stopping taking drugs; it is about something deeper and more spiritual than that. You see drug addicts on TV and in films and most of the time you watch it and think ‘it’s nothing like that’. It is going to be weird watching a character on stage saying the things I said, and hearing what people once said to me. But I hope that it will help me by seeing it from outside, and I hope that it can help others too. Because once you are free from addiction – you are free from everything. 
Performance Dates and Booking Details
Please note: The performance contains very strong language and adult themes. Age recommendation 14 years and over.
Premièring at the Big Bookend Festival:
Thur 4 June, 7.45pm, presented by the Big Bookend Festival @ Carriageworks Studio Theatre, Leeds
Fri 5 June, 7.45pm, presented by the Big Bookend Festival @ Carriageworks Studio Theatre, Leeds
Box Office 0113 224 3801 / www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk £8 / £6
Tues 9 June, presented by The Space @ St Georges Crypt in Leeds, 7pm
To book call 0113 244 0008 / email Sam.Wall@multiplechoice.org.uk Pay what you feel
Wed 10 June, 12 noon, The Basement Project, Halifax
To book email andrewbryant@thebasementproject.org.uk Pay what you feel
Fri 12 June, 7.30pm, The Friargatre Theatre, York
Box Office 01904 613000 or online www.ridinglights.org £8 / £6
Sat 13 June, 7.30pm, South Parade Church, Headingley in Leeds
To book call 0113 275 4989 / http://buytickets.at/commonchorus
If you are interested in hosting a performance of Drink With a Chimp at your venue please contact simonmatthewbrewis@gmail.com
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Download the programme – click here
