Lost Souls Monologues

Ester tries a geriatric version of speed dating – finding that letting go is so much harder than holding on. Written by Adam SzudrichDirected by Matt GibbsPerformed by Avril Gaynor

Vodka helps with post-traumatic stress disorder, so says a soldier. So does being listened to. But which works best? Written by Matt FoxDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Matt GibbsNHS Mental Health resources for serving personnel https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/serving-personnel-mental-health-services/ NHS Mental Health resources for Veterans:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services/To access your local service, contact the Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liasion Service (TILS)You can contact the service direct or ask a GP or military charity to refer you.Contact details are belowIn the North of England, call 0303 123 1145 or email vwals@nhs.net In the Midlands or East of England, call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.netIn London or the South East of England, call 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.netIn the South West of England, call 0300 365 2000 or email gateway@berkshire.nhs.ukResources for Families, Welfare and Support:Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA): The SSAFA is the national charity supporting service personnel, veterans and their families. SSAFA offers support to the community, whether at home, overseas or in an operational environment.https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ Phone: 0800 731 4880 Families federations: The 3 Service Families Federations (Naval Families Federation https://nff.org.uk/ , Army Families Federation https://aff.org.uk/ and Royal Air Force Families Federation https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/) are the independent voices of service families. Each offers independent and confidential advice on a range of issues and works to improve the quality of life for service families. They regularly engage with the chain of command, local authorities and government to represent the views of armed forces families.Mental Health Resources:CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably. A charity providing a mental health helpline and webchat.Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (Daily-5pm to midnight)Website: www.thecalmzone.netSAMARITANS: Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)Website: www.samaritans.org.ukNo Panic: Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.Phone: 0300 772 9844 (daily 10am-10pm) Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access ChargeWebsite: www.nopanic.org.uk Email: Sarah@nopanic.org.uk Drinkline: A Free, confidential helpline for people worries about their own or someone else's drinking. Phone: 0300 123 1100 (weekdays 9am-8pm, weekends 11am-4pm)

A new development in the neighbourhood will ruin Betty’s view. She must find her voice, but will it be heard? Written by Paul StimpsonDirected by Jane Quill Performed by Anne Rutter

A curtain-twitcher spies on her neighbours, finding fault. It can be such fun looking at others’ flaws as a way of avoiding our own... Written by Trevor John SmithPerformed by Sioned Jones

Amelia, fifteen, and her little brother, Mo, are in a council tower block. They can smell smoke. But someone is coming to help, right? Written by Jodi GrayDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Jessica Hayles Grenfell UnitedGrenfell United Website: https://www.grenfellunited.org.uk/Grenfell United Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrenfellUnitedGrenfell United Take Action: https://support.grenfellunited.org/UK Cladding Action GroupUK Cladding Action Group: https://www.facebook.com/ukcagEnd Our Cladding ScandalEnd Our Cladding Scandal Twitter: https://twitter.com/eocs_official?lang=enCALMCALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably. A charity providing a mental health helpine and webchat.Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (Daily-5pm to midnight)Website: www.thecalmzone.netSAMARITANSConfidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)Website: www.samaritans.org.ukCruse Bereavement CarePhone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Some people are invisible to others. They don’t know why. And when they make themselves seen everything falls apart.Written by Julia DonnellyDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Tamla Kari

A young novice nun is different. She feel things: unbidden heat, unnatural tightness, empathy for mice… And her seniors do not trust her.Written by Christine FosterSound direction by Matt GibbsPerformed by Hannah Genesius 

Bird, a tightrope walker, faces her moment of truth. She is trying to regain her balance on the wire after a life-changing evening. It's just one step, Bird. One step... Written by Tom CoashDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Siri Steinmo

For the first time, a wife tells her husband what she thinks and what she wants. And for once, he can’t control the situation. She can hardly believe her luck. Written by Lucy FlanneryDirected by Jonathan CrippsSound direction by Caitlin IncePerformed by Caitlin Ince

Dough is reliable, responsive and honest. It offers no surprises. It is full of life. And in the outback of Australia it is an escape for a man who grieves. Written by Samuel L RobertsonDirected by Hannah GenesiusPerformed by Matt Gibbs

Does having a baby always make you a mother? Some young women are forced to do battle with maternal instinct.Written by C.A. SteedDirected by Liam SheaPerformed by Hannah Genesius

We love people for their flaws, their uniqueness. And that’s why we hate them too. Is the mark of true love holding on or letting go? Written by Irene L PynnDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Jamie McKie

A jobbing actor is always up against it. But is she the only one who understands that actors need to stand a little apart from everyone else? Written by Lee KnightDirected by Scott Le CrassPerformed by Josephine Rattigan

Lily, an aspiring country music singer, can see that her ex is her ex for a reason. But that bond is hard to break and she finds herself living a country song that she just can’t get out of. Written by Judy KlassDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Hannah Genesius, with guitar work by Phil Adèle

Sooner or later someone is going to have to tell you exactly what happens to your soul… you know… when the time comes. And you’re not going to like it.Written by Tom HarveyDirected by Matt GibbsPerformed by Clive Moore 

Pats is sixty-five years old, living off the South West coast of Ireland. And he is waiting. Waiting for the great, mysterious love of his life to return from the depths. Written by Emma MoohanSound direction by Caitlin IncePerformed by Rupert Degas ‘The Parting Glass’. Traditional folksong, played here with solo violin. Composed by Jonathan Slatter. 

Sophie loves her husband and wants to have a baby more than anything in the world. Making IVF more affordable presents her with other possibilities. How important is biology to motherhood? Written by Judy UptonDirected by Hannah GenesiusPerformed by Tamar Karabetyan

85-year-old Mary smokes, but she is not supposed to. It’s just another way to stop her missing her daughter. Hoarded memories and keepsakes crowd her. And whose hand is in hers when she most needs it? Written by Ann HawkerPerformed by Margaret Ashley'Bobby Shafto' by Roly Veitch and his Blaydon Aceshttp://www.rolyveitch.20m.com

Lovely Jared is in a throuple with two other men. Love abounds but, as Jared explains to their newborn baby, love in the plural is… tricky. Written by Christopher AdamsDirected by Hannah GenesiusPerformed by Edward Kaye

In the mid-west of America, she would do everything to put her daughter first. But what she can’t do is to make life neat. Ex-lovers, children and pets are never tidy. Written by Sylvia ReedDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Siri Steinmo

It is the Armageddon and no one is answering the radio. The insistent caller is cross. She was promised cocoa pops and penguins. But where are they?Written by Matthew WixeyDirected by Caitlin IncePerformed by Hannah Genesius

Angie is getting herself dolled up for her date with Bud, but why is she even bothering? Can loneliness be cured with hairspray and chutzpah? Written by Andrea ApteckerPerformed by Maggie Wheeler

A lonely, 40-something Mancunian woman, Suman Bakshi, discovers a beautiful connection to an author. If only they could meet... Written by Reshma RuiaDirected by Liam SheaPerformed by Avita Jay

James is 69 years old and he voted for Trump. A heart-breaking meditation on what we have left after a lifetime of hard work.Written by Michael Wells-OakesPerformed by Stephen GreifGuidance by Julian Poidevin

George, an elderly widower, finds the human connection he craves on the London underground. Loneliness can bring us close to others. Maybe too close...Written by Nilgin YusufDirected by Matt GibbsPerformed by Clive Moore

G is for Grief. Melissa is waiting to rehearse her funereal duties for her friend and takes the opportunity to say goodbye… in a unique way. Written by Rita AndersonDirected by Scott Le CrassPerformed by Sioned Jones

Val’s concern for a student is misinterpreted by a teacher. In seeking to be careful, can we actually fail to provide care? Written by Alison DownDirected by Liam SheaPerformed by Maggie Saunders

When Chris is in drag, he commands attention – and loses himself. A sweet meditation on how we feel, how others see us and the things that really matter. Written by Paul StoneDirected by Scott Le CrassPerformed by Jamie McKie

A new client’s silk shirt triggers memories for an old Russian tailor. Prejudice may fade, but love – like a well-cut suit – lasts a lifetime. Written by Aleks MeriloSound direction by Caitlin IncePerformed by Rupert DegasPatriotic Russian Song Katyusha By Folk Bayan Organ And Children Choir (https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/89144057-patriotic-russian-song-katyusha-folk-bayan-organ-and-childre)

Just a quick rundown on this exciting new podcast: who we are and what to expect.