Need A Little Help is about looking after other people. It’s about a father and daughter who are a great team and spend a lot of time together. One day the father becomes incapacitated (in the show he gets his arm stuck inside a long metallic tube) and the daughter has to start to help him out, do more work around the house and care for him. The tube can represent many things but in some way there is a change in their relationship and things can’t be the same again.

The piece is inspired by the experience of young carers. These stories are often hidden behind doors and walls and happen inside people’s homes but have a huge impact on young people’s lives. We wanted to shine a light on the world of young carers. Over the last two years we have been working with a group of young carers in South London, facilitating drama workshops with them. The show is inspired by their stories.

Having spent some time with young carers we were taken with how adult they had to behave yet they were still in children’s bodies. They showed huge capacity for care and nurture. We wanted to try and find a way to share this theatrically but with a uplifting, fun and touching story, We also knew we were making a show for under 8’s so therefore it had to be appropriate and accessible for them.  We initially did some research and development on what the style of the piece would be and then built from there.  

The audience gets involved in the show. We wanted to offer them the chance to understand and feel what its like to be a carer and to physically care for someone else. The show is completed by the involvement of the audience. It’s about taking care of each other.

Need A Little Help tours from March 3rd - May 14th see here for details.