We here at Écoute need your help

We have an award-winning, published play called 'Take Care' which has won a highly competitive place at London's VAULT Festival with a one week run in March.

Unfortunately our Arts Council bid was not successful, and we are now faced with the problem of having a play, but having no funding to pay our highly qualified creative team of actors, sound and lighting designers.

What's the play about?

'Take Care' - welcome to the messy, hilarious, dark world of caring.

Meet Pam - a woman fighting for better end of life care for her mother.

Meet The Care System - spoiler alert, it's not doing so well...

From 6 years-worth of interviews, 'Take Care' follows the real life stories of a whole range of people involved in the care system for older people, from the carers themselves, to managers and even some politicians and MP's that are much more recognisable now than they were six years ago...

What makes Take Care so special?

It is the first play, in our memory, to focus on, listen to, and tell the stories of carers for older people. The care system is in dire need of repair, and this play is not only entertaining - it is also hugely informative and educational. We encourage people to think, to question the 'norm' and to ask themselves the question - "When I grow old, how would I like to be looked after?"

All of the text of the play is word-for-word what people have said to us through interviews, in press releases and on public platforms. It is verbatim theatre - as close to documentary theatre as it gets!

The carers come to the performances and become the stars of the show. For them to see their stories told from such a prestigious, professional, exciting platform not only empowers them with the knowledge that their experiences are valuable - it also helps lessen the sense of isolation and loneliness which is so often felt amongst the caring community.

How you can help

We are a non-profit organisation, and so rely on the funds we raise and the generosity of strangers. To find out more about us as a company, please visit our Ecoute Theatre Website

By donating to our cause, you will help raise enough money for us to be able to pay the cast and creatives. We work with highly qualified, professional, skilled individuals and cannot ask them to work for free.

Every little helps - it's a cliche, but in this situation, very true. Whatever you can afford, we will be forever grateful.

Rewards & Incentives

To say thank you, we have some rewards and gifts to be won with donations:

£10

A Thank You credit on our website

£20

A Thank You credit in our programme for VAULT Festival

£50

A Thank You credit in our programme for Vault Festival, a personal Thank You letter along with a signed cast programme from VAULT Festival

£100

Appear as an official Sponsor of Écoute on our website. You will also receive 2 complimentary tickets for the VAULT Festival production

£200

Appear as an official Partner of Écoute on our website and on all future marketing for productions. You will receive monthly updates on the company including rehearsal, performance and pre-production news, including tour and performance dates & locations. You will also receive 2 complimentary tickets to a performance of Take Care.

£500

A bespoke training session from either Artistic Director Zoe Templeman-Young or Company Director Samantha McLaughlin that can include a focus on: Public Speaking and Using Your Voice, Assertive and Confident Physicality, Verbatim Theatre, Laban Technique, Singing, Improvisation. These sessions can be used to help improve confidence in public speaking, assertiveness in the work-place and develop a sense of playfulness and risk-taking in your work. They can also be used as creative fun drama workshops

If you would like to claim any of these fabulous rewards, leave/or email us your name and contact details at ecoutetheatrecompany@gmail.com and we will be in touch!

We are not alone

In the past we have partnered with charities such as Camden Carers Centre, Carers Network, Carers Trust and our previous theatre partners include Pound Arts and UPSTART Theatre. Together they have all seen the value of the production and helped spread the word.

And finally...

Come and be in the audience. If you can or can't donate right now, we would love to have you along to see the show anyway.

It's a play for everyone - as our company director Sam puts it, "If you're planning on growing old, then this show's for you".

Follow this Ticket Link to book, we'll be on from 10th - 15th March at the Network Theatre.

We look forward to seeing you all there!