Some Riot Theatre Presents WEIRD

Yasmin feels different, she feels weird. She longs to be normal like everyone else but that's proving difficult... Based on writer Lucy Burke's experiences, Weird explores the highs and lows of what it is like for a sufferer, and a sufferer's family, to live in the shadows of obsessive compulsive disorder. Winner of the Arcola Theatre's Slam SOAPS 2018, the show was awarded a one-night staging at the Arcola.

Told through flashbacks to the relationships that have shaped Yasmin's life, Weird revolves around the effects of one person's mental health on a whole family. Revisiting strained family relationships, experiences with high school bullies and the highs and lows of first love, the role that OCD has had in defining these pivotal moments quickly becomes clear.

Lucy said, "When I was finally diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder last year my life took a massive turn for the better - before that I had been blindly battling the confusing symptoms of an unknown illness with no clear knowledge on how to do so. I'd never seen a true reflection of OCD in the mainstream media and instead had been presented with stereotypical versions of the disorder that I l couldn't relate to and so I never imagined myself to have. I've since learnt that OCD is so much more than what I had seen on TV - it is about the continual experience of deeply unsettling, intrusive thoughts that the sufferer believes to be instantly true. At its worst I found it near impossible to leave the house, interact with others and live a 'normal' life, now I'm leading the sort of life I've always wanted to. I wrote WEIRD because I wanted to present a truthful portrayal of how mental illness can tear a family apart, especially if untreated, but I also wanted to show the amazing resilience of human spirit and how even through the darkest of times sufferers and their families can find hope."

Lucy Burke is a Manchester born writer currently based in London. Previous writing credits include: Glitter Punch - Winner Vault Festival People's Choice Award, Winner Miro Magazine Show of the Week, Shortlisted Bolton Octagon Top Five Season - at the Vault Festival London (2018), Assembly George Square Edinburgh (2017) and the Kings Head Theatre London (2017). It was also selected for the Pint Size Plays new writing initiative (Bunker Theatre, London) and is published by Nick Hern Books in their Plays from Vault 3 anthology. Other writing credits include Blackout (Theatre N16, N16 Presents); A Series of Unfortunate Breakups (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); Funeral Parlour (Royal Exchange Studio, Platform 1). Lucy is currently a member of the Soho Theatre Writers Lab where she is developing new play After All This Time.

OCD Action says, "We're very excited about WEIRD and thrilled that Lucy is sharing her experiences of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder so honestly. OCD affects around 1-2% of the population and is a severely debilitating disorder. People with the condition experience distressing intrusive thoughts and feel forced to carry out time-consuming compulsions in an attempt to get rid of them. But despite how devastating it is, it's much misunderstood and often trivialised by the public - we've all heard the "I'm so OCD" jokes. By sharing her own experiences through WEIRD, Lucy will be doing a huge amount to raise awareness of the disorder, and help people struggling with it themselves to realise that they're not alone."

Peter Taylor is the resident director for Some Riot Theatre. Before joining Some Riot Theatre Peter started working with Popinjay Productions in 2015 with its devised show The Flying Ship, which toured around the UK and performed at both Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe. Other directing credits include Stand and Deliver (The Alma Tavern), Cinderella (The Redgrave Theatre), Flycatcher (Assistant Director: The Hope Theatre) If My Heart Were A Camera (The Etcetera Theatre) and Still I see My Baby (The Arches).

Some Riot Theatre specialises in creating female-led new work that gives a voice to underrepresented, regional voices, with a mind to provide employment for emerging artists.?

www.someriot.co.uk

OCD Action is the national charity focusing on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD, work to raise awareness of the disorder amongst the public and front-line healthcare workers, and strive to secure a better deal for people with OCD. OCD Action are a dedicated charity with a clear vision, solid objectives and a real understanding of OCD and the impact that it has. Formed by a group of volunteers and leading professionals in 1994, the Charity has the volunteers, trustees and staff to turn its vision into reality. OCD Action is recognised as a strong voice for people with OCD, a vital source of help and the Charity that makes a real and lasting difference to anyone affected by OCD

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