Rock Bottom - Day 1

Rock Bottom – Research and Development Day 1
 
1 director, 5 actors, a blogger – that’s me! – and a week’s R&D for a verbatim piece of theatre exploring different people’s experiences of Rock Bottom.
 
In its essence, Rock Bottom is a single stimulus that resonates with so many in such different ways. Researching and developing the stories of those who have hit what they believe to be Rock Bottom makes this undeniably clear. A subject matter that is relatable yet entirely unique.
 
As our 5 actors {Amy, Janelle, Sol, Jake and Amy} share and discuss their own experiences as well as anonymous reports of others hitting Rock Bottom, linking factors and identifiable truths rise to the surface. An undercurrent of understanding runs alongside new discoveries of lived experience and conditions.
 
Director Megan asks is knowledge power? Do diagnoses and labels create opportunities to bridge the gap in understanding mental health conditions or do they create a clinical escape route from important discussions using emotive, descriptive language. In the same way that each individual in the room has their own experience with mental health and Rock Bottom, the way in which their experiences are classified is far from one size fits all.
 
In our brave space looking over the skyline of the city, we learn from each other and through wider research tasks. How conditions are defined, described and retold through similes and metaphors, how they manifest, how they feel.
 
A narrative begins to unfold through discussion and experimenting with text, audio accounts and videos. The beauty of research and development, in particular day 1, is going from “hi, nice to meet you” to a space filled with energy and creativity.
 
The day begun with socially distanced yoga, and ended with 5 actors on their feet, guided by a director. Personal stories, interviews from friends and strangers, experiences of those in the public eye. Accounts of  mental health, hitting Rock Bottom, differing treatments, the road to recovery.
 
A room filled with questions of why issues that affect so many remain stigmatised and diminished by society and even those close to us. Empathy for the experiences of others and admiration for the journeys taken. Rock Bottom uncovers all this, and more.
 
Roll on Day 2!

​See you tomorrow!

Director: Megan Marie Griffith
Blogger: Faye Jones
Actors: Amy Du Quesne, Jake Hagan, Amy Gavin, Solaya Sang & Janelle Thompson