We Will Remember: Collective Reflections on Laughing Boy, the play, Jermyn Street Theatre, London (25 April–31 May 2024) and Bath Theatre Royal (4–8 June 2024)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In place of a more traditional book review, we are delighted to include in Volume 4 (2) of the IJDSJ this "collective reflections" piece about the play Laughing Boy.This play explores the life and death of Connor Sparrowhawk, a young man with autism, epilepsy, and learning disabilities, who passed away whilst under the care of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (UK).His death, which occurred due to drowning following an epileptic seizure whilst having a bath, was found to be preventable and was attributed to neglect by an inquest jury .Writer-director Stephen Unwin adapted the play from a memoir written by Connor's mother, Sara Ryan, entitled Justice for Laughing Boy.The play was performed at the Jermyn Street Theatre from 25 April to 31 May 2024 and at the Bath Theatre Royal from 4-8 June 2024.We welcomed people to share their reflections on the play in their own way.People wrote mini-blogs, sent emails, made artwork, wrote a poem, and more.This piece includes reflections by one of the cast -Forbes Masson -who played the role of Connor's stepdad Richard Huggins, and audience members.The final reflection is by Connor's Mum, Sara Ryan
Authors: I was working on another Stephen Unwin production –, – when he sent me the script for, his stage adaptation of Sara Ryan’s, . I had remembered reading about Connor Sparrowhawk in the past, but I wasn’t prepared for how I would feel reading Stephen’s script. It completely tore me apart. A truly modern tragedy. I was in awe of Sara’s strength in dealing with the grief of losing her son in such a hideous and blatant example of institutional neglect, but also her tenacity in the fight to try to hold the people responsible to account. I was a complete mess after reading the script and immediately agreed to the offer of taking part. As a father myself, I just couldn’t begin to imagine being in that situation. But as an actor that is exactly what I had to do, having been cast in the role of Sara’s partner, Rich.
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402694656