The Feeling - Women and LGBTQ+ healthcare theatre

Aim: To tour our play, reaching young people through our free, accessible theatre production which explores our journey from puberty to menopause

ABOUT THE PLAY: 

“The Feeling” has been devised by a female and non-binary creative team, alongside 100’s of voices across a large spectrum of people and cultures across Southampton. Built into the script is real stories from a series of creative focus groups including: men, the LGBTQ+ community, those who have suffered with infertility, young people going through puberty and women going through or who have been through menopause. Using art, poetry and music, community members expressed some of the challenges they faced, alongside providing intergenerational advice for future generations.  

At its core the play is a cry for help from a community of voices who have felt at any one time silenced. A question as to how we can change this culture of silence by tackling shame within our education systems, medical systems and peer/family groups. 

We aim to increase understanding around female reproductive health care and LGBTQA+ health care inequities, as well as generate discussion around the language and reform we can use to make healthcare in Southampton and England not just accessible, but equal to all.

OUR VISION:

Our organisation collaborates with youth leaders, marginalised communities, the NHS, mental health charities, and the community sector to create impactful theatre that brings attention to social and health disparities, as well as the challenges faced by these groups, including health issues, disabilities, and financial barriers.

At the heart of our work we promote collective and youth-led action, intersectionality and open forums to inspire meaningful change. 

We invite decision-makers and leaders to performances to ensure our work maintains a legacy and a clear call to action, supporting future generations to navigate complex social and health issues.

’The Feeling’ has grown out of 2 years of research and development with healthcare professionals and local community groups and has already received high praise for it’s authentic and powerful portrayal of female reproductive health and gender-affirming care. 

AUDIENCES SAID:

“The musical element was absolutely beautiful. The actors performed with such honesty and vulnerability that it was truly touching. I loved how the different stories were woven together, and the use of verbatim made it feel even more powerful.”

“This was a stunning piece of theatre. The blend of verbatim stories, recordings, dialogue, and music was perfectly melded together. You've done an excellent job of intertwining the four elements and presenting multiple points of view simultaneously. I think you've got something really special here.”

“All of the storylines connected in one way or another. I have had friends, colleagues, partners, or family members who have dealt with PCOS, infertility, healthcare inequalities, gender identity, and the stigma that comes with it. I felt that the way these subjects were portrayed this evening was both intelligent and refreshing.”

AIMS / OUTCOMES: 

- To tour our production across the South East and West region, reaching young audiences aged 14-25 years with our free and accessible live theatre production. 

- Use real stories and verbatim theatre from a female and non-binary perspective, supporting audiences to see themselves represented and heard

- Share intergenerational advice within the play narrative, helping future generations to navigate their own unique journey from puberty to menopause 

TEAM:

WRITER, MUSICIAN AND PERFORMER: Emily Hindle (she/her) 

Emily is a queer actress and theatre maker. She graduated East 15 in 2019. 

Her most recent acting credits include Casualty (BBC), Miss Austen (BBC), The Gunpowder Plot (West End/Tower Vaults), Hide and Seek (Leicester Curve) and her self penned play Toothache (The Space).

Emily is delighted to be working alongside such a wonderful team of creatives as part of this research and development period. As a queer female with personal experience of chronic pain and the difficulties that present themselves when it comes to women’s health, she is extremely passionate about amplifying conversation, education and art that focuses on the link between hormones and mental health; particularly when it comes to underrepresented voices

MUSICIAN AND PERFORMER: Kit Miles (they/them) 

Kit Miles (they/them) is a theatremaker from Southampton currently based in London. Their writing credits include ‘If I Ever See Her Again’ (The Lowry, Hive North, 2023), ‘In Good Spirits’ (VAULT Festival & Greenwich Theatre, 2023), and ‘Bringing The Outside In’ (Mayflower Studios, Theatre for Life, 2025). Kit is currently studying an MSt in Creative Writing at Oxford University.

They are super excited to be part of this project, to explore the nuances around change and development, and the emotional impact of that on our lives. It’s something they would have loved to have been able to have talked about openly in school, giving space for perspectives outside of the “norm” and showing that they matter. They hope it can help to give future generations more agency in understanding themselves and what their bodies are going through.

PERFORMER: Sara Fairclough (she/her) 

Sara is a professional actor originally from Yorkshire. She trained at Manchester Metropolitan. 

Sara has worked with many professionals including, playwright - Iain Heggie, former theatre director -Chris Honer and Niamh Dowling -principal of RADA. After a long break from raising her children, sara is slowly making her way back into the industry. She has performed in many plays and appeared in television roles for Sky and Channel 4. Sara’s recent work includes Home Theatre Project with Kerry Kyriacos Michael and Southampton Forward writing and performing her own material.

Sara has recently been a part of a project with Crowbait performing a selection of new writing. Sara is a joint winner of the Unwritten Playwrights programme at Winchester Theatre Royal where her play will now be developed for the main stage. 

She is thrilled to be a part of this dynamic collaboration with Theatre for Life.

This play is important as it gives a much needed voice to women and people who lack representation. It is so important for both young people and medical professionals to be educated on the reality of menopause.

PERFORMER: Imani Okoh (she/her) 

Imani (she/her) is a Solent University graduate in Musical Theatre and a dedicated theatre maker. She is very passionate about bringing new voices and stories to a wider audience by creating and devising contemporary theatre. Having vast experience working with young people, Imani feels that it is important to express the concerns young people face by using her platform as a creative. 

Ella Jump (She /her)

Ella is an Actor based in Southampton. She trained at Fourth Monkey and has been working with Theatre for Life for over 2 years now. She is really excited and proud to be performing this piece after joining the team performing at the Propel Scratch in March. 

She recently performed at Park Theatre in ‘Whodunnit Unrehearsed 3’, and this week she was back in the room workshopping for ‘Whodunnit Unrehearsed 4’. Her most recent TV credit is S8 EP10 of ‘Worlds most Evil Killers’, and she also appears in BAFTA long listed ‘Homework’ cast by Shaheen Baig. She is also performing in Theatre for Life’s other production ‘Bringing the Outside In’. She is currently producing ‘Please don’t fall in love with me’, a short comedy play coming to Camden Fringe this August.

DIRECTOR: Michelle Smith (she/her)

Michelle founded Theatre for Life in 2017, she wanted to create a community organisation which helped to equalise opportunities and empower individuals through the arts.

Trained teacher (25 years), community director, producer, creative health programming and consultancy for Solent Mind, NHS and University of Southampton. Workshop facilitator in education and community engagement, including wellbeing and creativity at University Arts London. Professional development facilitator and guest speaker for Acta, Creative Arts and Health South West (Positive Futures 2020) and NHS ICB Hampshire and Isle of Wight Women's Health event (2025). Co-researcher on Public engagement with Research projects (University of Southampton).  

Propel Associate Artist at MAST Mayflower Studios (2023-2025)

As someone who has experienced many of the milestones shared in the play, I deeply resonate with the emotional, physical and mental challenges of advocating equitable healthcare for yourself and others. Reflecting back on my own journey, I realise that as a woman and a mother we are programmed to not talk about our experiences, instead remaining in silence and masking how we feel. This is both unrealistic and exhausting and this play serves as a reminder that we are entitled to equitable healthcare rights and the freedom to express our feelings without judgement or consent from others.

FUNDING: 

With the support of your funding we will use the money to: 

- Cover touring costs such as theatre hire, accommodation and travel for our performers 

- Cover performer fees, producer and stage manager fees 

- Cover cost of free tickets for young audiences aged 14-25 years old across South East and South West region, engaging with youth communities in high areas of deprivation and who have limited access to the arts and theatre 

As a community arts and theatre organisation, one of our key drivers is to ensure that we are accessible for all, both in terms of participation and the information that we present. By removing  financial barriers for young audience members we can reach more communities, sharing this important piece of theatre & helping to open up conversations around our own unique journey with female reproductive health & gender-affirming care. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th August 2025 at 8:19pm