A NEW theatre company has produced a play intended to provoke dialogue about race and radicalisation.
Produced by Out of Context Theatre, ‘I am George Massey’ tells the story of a man from Prestwich, who becomes radicalised while facing his own mental health demons, blending the genres of comedy and tragedy.
Out of Context Theatre is a non-profit theatre company which seeks to use local artists and actors to explore issues specific to a local area.
‘I am George Massey’ is about someone born and raised in Prestwich who wants to be seen as human in a time of mental turmoil and poses the question of how someone would be radicalised and what needs to happen.
The play examines how a person’s state of mental wellbeing can be exploited and lead them down a road of extremism and how currently, a large proportion of ethnically white people are being arrested on terror charges.
Ramsbottom-born Stephen Dee, the company's writer, said: “I think this is a very important issue and I believe theatre needs to explore things which are difficult to talk about.”
Jon Walker, director and producer, added: “This is a show based on a partial truth and explores the relationship between the vulnerabilities caused by mental health and the darker sides of social media.
“George has depression and anxiety from a young age and is and out of the mental health system, in a moment of darkness, he has an encounter with a stranger on the internet and the subconscious ideas of terrorism.”
I Am George Massey will debut at the Greater Manchester Fringe at the Anthony Burgess Foundation on September 17 and 18.
Jon and Stephen met in 2017 whilst performing ‘Billy Liar’ with a local theatre group and bonded over their similar approach to theatre and developed the play together. Tickets are available for the production online.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here