Hello! I’m Lucy Chamberlain, an actor-writer and recent graduate of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. I am fundraising for my electric new show BEAR - a heart-pounding piece of gig theatre about growing up and understanding the people we love.
After being awarded a place on Wilton’s Music Hall’s competitive residency programme, I will be developing the play on its feet for one week 12th-16th May, culminating in an ‘in-concert’ performance at their in-house venue. I have a script I’m really excited about, an amazing Director in Selwin Hulme-Teague, and rehearsal space! It’s pretty epic so far! Now all I need is your help to pay the actor-musicians and creatives behind BEAR, so we can make incredible work.
THE SHOW
Bear is the story of Phoebe, a young woman whose dad has just jumped off the roof of Aldi in Watford, accidentally dressed like Paddington Bear. It is a story of the aftermath of a catastrophic event; how it can force someone to grow up on the spot, and re-evaluate their understanding of someone they love deeply.
We follow Phoebe through the epicentre of the event, as she grapples with hospital visits, the press, and her own mind, whilst humorously keeping herself afloat.
It is a piece of unapologetic comedy gig-theatre, combining party and performance, fusing an electric soundtrack, with a pulsating yet tender narrative. This is a young woman at her best, and also her worst.
THEMES
Growing Up
Parent-Child Relationships
Depression
Attempted Suicide
Friendship
WHY BEAR NEEDS TO BE MADE
I want to explore depression and its impact through words, rhythm and music, from the perspective of those around the person struggling. I often think these voices are neglected in drama and entertainment. But they are vital to every mental health story.
I also want to capture this feeling of looking at a parent or guardian, and for the first time seeing them as a `person’ as well as their adult role in your life. Seeing they are flawed, they can and always will make mistakes, and this makes life and your relationship with them all the more complex yet wonderful.
HOW BEAR WILL AID MY DEVELOPMENT AS A CREATIVE
BEAR will be my first professionally produced play. For an actor-writer this is brilliantly terrifying, but mostly BRILLIANT. It will enable me to market myself as a multi-skilled creative, and allow me to engage with potential new collaborators who may be looking to programme new work. Mostly, it will enable me to tell a story very close to my heart, and aim to give space to the stories of young people who have a parent with a complex mental health condition.
THE R&D
I am so honoured to be supported by Wilton’s Music Hall to explore BEAR on its feet for the first time. It is the oldest grand music hall in the world and now a vibrant arts hub in Shadwell, with an eclectic programme of theatre and music events.
I mean LOOK at it!! It’s BEAUTIFUL!!
BEAR combines music, nightlife and storytelling to give the audience the experience of a gig, a party and a night at the theatre all in one. Wilton’s Music Hall is the perfect setting being a gig and music venue, mirroring our music-infused piece of party and performance.
THE TEAM
DIRECTOR SELWIN HULME-TEAGUE
WRITER-PERFORMER LUCY CHAMBERLAIN
FURTHER CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED...
FUNDING
Due to the tight turnaround of the project, we aren’t able to apply for large grants from the Arts Council or other larger funding bodies. That’s why we need help from you, to give anything you can to help us hit our £5,000 target.
Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on our ability to bring my show to life, support the talented freelance artists I will be working with, and maintain the high standards of my work.
£5 will pay for printing our scripts to use in development
£25 will pay for a wireless microphone
£100 will pay for my time to work on the script for a day
£500 will pay a week’s wage for a director
Supporting this project will mean you are directly facilitating the emergence of exciting and challenging new writing, and a vibrant new piece of comedy gig-theatre. Every donation will enable BEAR to have top-class creatives at the helm, making it an impactful, informed and important piece of contemporary theatre.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the magic of theatre continues to thrive in the UK.