New guide on co-developing theatre on sensitive subjects launches
A new How-To Guide (PDF) for anyone hoping to co-develop theatre to disseminate research on sensitive subjects has been launched by the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) on Thursday 15 May. Nearly 150 researchers, theatre-makers and public contributors came along to a special launch webinar.
Theatre can be a powerful way to bring research to life for audiences who might not normally engage with research. But if the research is on a sensitive subject, such as domestic abuse, theatre like this must be produced with care.
The guide is based on experiences and evaluation of developing and performing the play Hard Evidence.
Hard Evidence was co-created with survivors of domestic abuse who were also public contributors on a study, alongside community theatre makers and researchers, including:
- Researchers Natalia Lewis, Noreen Hopewell Kelly and Cat Papastavrou Brooks
- Alison and Shass, survivors of domestic abuse and public contributors who co-wrote and performed the play
- Ingrid Jones, theatre maker and Associate Director at acta community theatre
The team all contributed to the webinar and the How-To Guide.
The play aimed to:
- Highlight the importance of patient and public involvement (PPI) in disseminating research on sensitive subjects
- Raise awareness of domestic abuse
The guide brings together the experiences and learning from developing and staging Hard Evidence.
Public contributor and domestic abuse survivor Shass said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to be part of such an amazing project, and to have been given the opportunity to go on such an emotive and cathartic journey.”
Ingrid Jones, Associate Director at acta, said:
“Hard Evidence was an exciting and sometimes challenging project to work on. Creating theatre on a sensitive issue with research embedded within the narrative, was never going to be easy.
“I was lucky enough to work with two incredible women, who were open, creative and full of fun. Their stories led the way; and with a great team around us, we were able to create a fantastic show, and have a meaningful and wonderful experience in the process.”
Cat Papastavrou Brooks, PhD candidate and researcher in University of Bristol’s Medical School, said:
“This project has been an absolute delight to be part of as a researcher. It’s rare to have the opportunity to evaluate something as innovative and thoughtful as the Hard Evidence play, and to work with such a committed and inspiring team.
“It’s also been incredibly rewarding to take our shared values of making research accessible even further. For me personally, the key takeaway has been learning what it truly means to be trauma-informed. Not just in a simplistic sense of avoiding potentially triggering subjects, but by centring safety, empowerment, and the collaborative relationships between domestic abuse survivors.”
Watch the webinar
