Guest Blog: Rachel Harper On RATTLED at Old Red Lion Theatre

When I started to write Rattled, it was purely from asking myself "What would terrify me most?" The answer: a one-woman show. There is absolutely nowhere to hide and nothing to disguise your vulnerability - and in a way, I think this bled into the text.

Em is faced with a hundred things that terrify her the most: abandonment, choice, responsibility - pretty much terrifying to any woman in her twenties - and as we backtrack through her life, it's like putting the puzzle back together.

We have all got to a place (I want to say it's called 25) where we stop and ask ourselves "How the hell did I get here?".

The initial inspiration for the play was a confession made to me by a stranger. After watching a previous production of mine based on postnatal mental health, she opened up to me about her bleakest day and I knew that story needed to go further. I wanted to use her tale to inspire further conversations such as this.

I'm also a huge believer in using humour to engage an audience with a story; you need that light and dark contrast. So, even at in its darkest moments, this play isn't afraid to make light. To me, making an audience laugh means that they are connecting with the piece, which is exactly what I want them to do. No matter if you identify with the issues at hand - the over-arcing themes of loneliness, isolation and human resilience are relatable across the board.

The show talks about postnatal elements of mental health and so, for me, it became incredibly important to put initiatives in place to support any new parents coming to see the show, as well as any creatives working on it.

Our director, Jemma Gross, has a two-year-old daughter and so we are making sure she has access to free childcare, as well as making every meeting and rehearsal space child-friendly.

Any parents attending the Sunday matinee can book their child in with our amazing childcare agency Bea & Co., who have partnered with us to provide free childcare at these performances. We want to make theatre more accessible for those both working and watching.

There is always that element of fear when you're putting work out there, and I would like to think that no matter how many times or how many seats, it's always a bit nerve-wracking - but with that comes excitement.

I'm excited to share a story that I know will resonate with many women like myself, who were raised on flares and tamagotchis. A story that will resonate with those who've ever felt everything is out of their control, or those people who live in a big city and yet battle through loneliness and isolation everyday.

We are in a fantastic time right now, where mental health is making its way to the forefront and we are breaking down stigmas all over the shop, so to be part of that wave is brilliant. To start new conversations or have someone watch and think "Yeah, I get it" - that is brilliant.

Rattled at Old Red Lion Theatre 12 February-2 March

Photo credit: Michael Shelford

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