WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY? at Bridewell Theatre Addresses Right To Die

Sedos, the City of London's premier amateur theatre company, deal with a highly sensitive legal and moral debate in their summer production of Whose Life Is It Anyway? at the company's resident home, the Bridewell Theatre, on 21-25 June.

Whose Life Is It Anyway? is the story of Ken Harrison, an intelligent and talented sculptor, whose career is cut short after a horrific car accident. He becomes tetraplegic, paralysed from the neck down, bed-ridden, dependent on others and unable to do what he loves most - sculpt.

Despite Ken's paralysis, his doctors believe that with the right care he can live a full and active life, but Ken feels that his condition doesn't constitute life in any real sense. The hospital now runs his life, but he wants to fight for the right to rule his own destiny and be discharged to die.

Director Nick Mouton said: "Even though Whose Life is it Anyway? was written in the Seventies, the subject matter is still very relevant today, with debates about voluntary or assisted suicide regularly hitting the headlines. The only thing that has changed is the technological advances that have been made to assist those who have paralysis, so we have updated it slightly to the 1990s in order for it to still sit well with current audiences.

"With such a sensitive subject matter, I've made sure that the cast are fully aware of all of the factors surrounding this topic. As well as a lot of character work and discussions around the morality of the play, a number of medical experts have attended rehearsals to talk directly to the cast about life in hospitals and living with paralysis. This has included a resident nurse showing them how to care for patients and a consultant, who is a tetraplegic, talking to them about her personal experiences.

"Even with its thought-provoking theme, the play is full of comic lines and lighter moments as the audience get to know more about Ken's sharp mind, wit and personality as they see how he deals with the tough decision of whether he should live or die."

Whose Life Is It Anyway? was originally seen on television in 1972 and then brought to the London stage in 1978 and it transferred to Broadway in 1980. The play won a Society of West End Theatres Award, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award; and in 1981 was adapted in to a film and a novel. The play was revived in London in 2005 with Kim Cattrall as the main protagonist.

Whose Life Is It Anyway? - By Brian Clark

21-25 June 2016

Ken Harrison is a talented sculptor and teacher whose career is cut short after a horrific car accident. Ken is now paralysed, bed-ridden, unable to move and dependent on others. His doctors believe that with the right care he can live a full and active life, but Ken feels his condition doesn't constitute life in any real sense so he wishes to be discharged to die.

All performances at the Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8EQ

Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm; Saturday matineé at 2.30pm

Box office: sedos.co.uk (no booking fee)

Tickets: £11-18

Gala night (Thursday, 23 June): ticket price includes a programme and a glass of fizz.

Cast

Dr Paul Travers / Mr Eden: Paul Caira

Dr Scott: Jessica Clements

Margaret Hill: Julie Dark

John / Dr Barr: Kwesi Davies

Ken Harrison: Dickon Farmar

Dr Emerson: Craig Karpel

Kay Sadler: Emily McDonald

Mrs Boyle / Justice Millhouse: Holly Matthews

Peter Kershaw: Oli O'Donohoe

Sister Anderson: Kate Parke

Director: Nick Mouton

Producer: Ben Hussey

Assistant director: Chris Davis

Stage manager: Anna Diamond

Nursing consultant: Lisa Stewart

Spinal injury liaison: Lady-Marie Dawson-Malcolm