“Some people, they just want to go,” says Julie, Jo’s Grandma. Jo’s friend Grace has made up her mind that she wants to end her life. It’s “…not a question of if, but a question of when”.
Lifeline is a raw, emotional and cleverly written play by Peter Harrison, directed by Becky Deeks. Peter has been a listening volunteer at Samaritans for nearly three years, and you feel this throughout the play. This is a play written by someone who knows what people feel like when they are close to the edge – the emotion, the words, the silence. Along with the feelings you may have as a survivor of someone who takes their own life.
“What do you think it would be like to die?”
“Not sure, release I think. Silence, but like, good silence”.
Lifeline is a play that delves into the deep and incredibly complex issues of depression and suicide. With powerful performances (even with scripts in hand for this private preview as they make a few final edits).
The audience were taken on an emotional journey of three different characters, all at different stages of their life, feeling like they had come to the end of the line.
Grace (Áine Maher) hasn’t long left school, she failed her GCSEs due to anxiety and is having trouble with her boyfriend Will, who only seems interested in her for two things – to show her off, or to have sex. After a number of conversations with best mate Jo (Christopher Rutter), Grace reveals that she has been in hospital in the past and feels like she “can’t do it anymore.” Telling Jo that she’s “…just numb…” and she doesn’t think she’ll “…be here next month. “
Julie (Alison Belbin) is Joe’s Grandma. A widow, having lost her husband Frank. Stubborn, knows her own mind and wants to avoid the care home, even though her health is deteriorating. She’s tired of fighting, “how do we keep fighting when we’ve lost everything to fight for?” and she wants to die at home, with her sanity and dignity, where she has her memories of Frank.
Dan (Jason Furnival) is feeling at the end of the line. His mom married a different man when he was just 12, and Dan and him have never got on. 30 years on, it’s still much the same, and when he turns up on his mom’s doorstep for support, she says she can’t help him anymore, leaving Dan “…stuck… (with)… nowhere to go. ” He met Jo at a train station, and they exchanged social media handles. He finds Jo’s number on Facebook and gives him a call for “one last whine” before he goes.
The final and most important character in this stage drama is Jo (Christopher Rutter). An actor whose mother is a counsellor. He has adopted some of her skills, including the ability to talk to people, resulting in them feeling like they can ‘splurge’ all their thoughts and feelings out. We follow the conversations and interactions between him and each of the above characters. I wonder whilst watching the show, if writer, Peter Harrison, sees himself in the character of Jo.
Through the relationships on the stage, we embark on intense and heartfelt moments. It is important to mention that these are not just sad emotions but times of hilarious comical moments that had the audience laughing out loud. You could say that this production takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster.
We were advised at the start of the show that there’s no stigma in leaving the show if we feel we need to during it. Although I didn’t see anyone choose to leave, I could hear people around me had been emotionally affected by the stories played out on stage and I may have wanted to turn around and give them a hug.
In 2023, life seems harder than ever, and with statistics like 1 in 4 now having depression and someone taking their own life every 90 seconds in the UK, this is a production that is so important and needed.
Often, people think that when someone tells them they’re sad, that they have to fix them, make it all better for them, but this production highlights the need to just listen. Be there, a listening ear, showing empathy. No judgement, no advice, exploring options together. In the words of Grace, “You can’t just waltz into people’s lives and expect them to be better overnight”. But maybe, just maybe, watching this show, will teach you how you could possibly be someone’s lifeline.
I can’t wait to see this production when it is completely finished, with staging and scripts out of hands. It is brilliant, and I am positive it will spark so many important conversations and bring awareness to a subject that is often not spoken about. Having lost my own brother to suicide in 2019, it means so much to me that these conversations are encouraged.
Peter, I hope you’re proud of all that you have achieved. We at Small House Big Trips are so proud of you!
When this show comes out to the public, we really recommend that you all book tickets to see it.
And a reminder, whatever you’re going through, you don’t have to face it alone. My inbox is always open, or you can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
To keep up to date with when the show will tour and all things Peter Harrison, do check out his website here.