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Interactive social housing play at Cookstown hotel

AS part of Good Relations Week 2023, an annual celebration of peace building and cultural diversity work, the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown will play host to an interactive play focusing on social housing issues later this month.

‘Shared?’ is brought to the stage by the Belfast-based social theatre company Partisan Productions, in association with Clanmil Housing Association and will tour venues across the North.

Workshops delving into the issues brought up in the play will be available on separate dates.

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It is the first time this technique has been used by a housing association in the North.

Described as ‘thought-provoking, moving and surprisingly funny’, ‘Shared?’ is an exploration of contemporary housing issues and the human lives in the face of statistics and stereotypes.

The play follows a cast of characters living in a shared housing association development.

Following the circulation of a rumour, their lives begin to take an odd turn.

Playwright, Fintan Brady, describes forum theatre as, “encouraging candid discussion of societal issues” and promises that “no two nights will be the same”.

He added, “Audience participation is encouraged to make it a lively event.”

Regarding the play’s themes, Brady said, “Emblems and differing traditions got mentioned during discussions, but a lot of the topics raised were about social housing in general.

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“Whether it’s real, perceived, or rumoured, we gathered a lot of ideas and beliefs about the housing selection process, class differences and gentrification.”

Jennifer Cuthbert, community investment manager with Clanmil, said, “We were delighted with the success of ‘Shared?’ last year and we’re looking forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the other locations where we manage shared housing.”

The play will be staged at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown on Tuesday, September 19 at 7.30pm.

Admission to ‘Shared?’ is free and tickets can be found at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

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