Inspired by Shelagh Delaney, actor, director and writer Roni Ellis brings a brand new play, Drowning in Silence, to the Salford Arts Theatre for the Greater Manchester Fringe.
The play looks at loss and grief, and how we deal with changes in our lives that are beyond our control. It is presented in an interesting and engaging manner, with the staging both physical and dream-like, and draws the audience into the lives of two sisters, Michelle and Jane.
The pair were once very close but then one day things changed. Their mother was always a free spirit, the life and soul of every family occasion, and all appeared perfect until the family of four became three. Talking became a thing of the past and each child and their father seemingly lived separate lives dealing with the changes out of their control.
Similar to the work of Shelagh Delaney, Roni makes a spectacle of the everyday. The focus is firmly on the relatable experiences that we all encounter. It is sharp and intelligent modern kitchen-sink-drama in the tradition of the Delaney, Barry Hines, Morrissey and Caroline Aherne.
"The story looks at the family relationship and dynamics and how the unspoken has bigger consequences on the family" Roni explains "Michelle and Jane were always close, then the family of four become three. The family dysfunction that wasn't apparent begins to unravel."
The idea for Roni's new piece began as part of a new writing evening for Shelagh Delaney Day 2018. After work-shopping with the talented lot at Salford Arts Theatre, it has now been developed into a one act play.
So why does Roni think Shelagh Delaney remains so important? "Whether you like her writing or not she was part of a theatrical movement that changed the British theatre scene, and I think without that change opportunities would not have been available" she says "Shelagh Delaney was part of the kitchen sink realism movement back in the late 50's and 60's and, from what I understand, the only female. She was fearless, she wrote about people who were shunned, not spoken about and discriminated; social realism and domestic settings.
"We need to read and watch stories of life that people can relate to, not just stories about the chosen few" she adds "I hope that she can influence and ignite a new wave of writers especially females to be just as fearless."
And how has the Salford icon influenced her writing? "When I was young I knew who Shelagh Delaney was but I suppose at that age I didn't realise how important she was going to be to me later in life" Roni recalls "I would say her writing has influenced me with regards to confidence and giving me the will to write. Her writing is character driven and that is super important to me. It makes me even more proud of where I am from, and although she moved from the area as did I when I first started out in my career, Salford and cities like Salford, have the power to pull you back."
Roni, of course, is also the mainstay of the Salford Arts Theatre, along with Scott Berry, bringing lots of new creative endeavours to the stage. I ask her what the highlights have been...
"Too many to mention but there are a few: the success of our yearly panto, and how we now have thousands through the door during December from all over, the start of Shelagh Delaney Day, Libby Hall and our Young Performers Company winning awards for their writing and performing. Personally, as an actor, productions such as Abigail's Party, A Taste of Honey... It has been a privilege to be the caretaker and custodian of this wonderful building."
Finally, despite putting on scores of productions does she still get nervous herself before a play's debut performance? "Most definitely I get nervous as an actor and director…also excited to see a performance for the first time after all the hard work of pre-production and rehearsals" she says "Drowning in Silence is the first play I have written and to be performed over the Fringe so I am pretty nervous about this. I have total trust in the two actors, Libby Hall and Emily Cox, who have been so open and playful in the process."
We'd highly recommend Drowning in Silence to Salford Star readers. It's a show that continues the legacy of one the city's finest playwrights. It's also an opportunity to get along to see some great, live entertainment, and to support an incredible local theatre.
Drowning in Silence by Roni Ellis
Wednesday 24th-Friday 26th July 7:30pm
Salford Arts Theatre
£8 -To book tickets – click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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