Article Source: Genesis Theatre Productions
Last Updated: 17 May 2024 15:41
Starring Scottish actor Billy Mack, alongside Dougal Lee and Greg Powrie Men Don’t Talk is announced during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Produced by Genesis Theatre Productions, Men Don’t Talk is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, presented in partnership with Scottish Men’s Shed Association and Luminate.
In a week that marks Mental Health Awareness Week, and sees the men's mental health charity Men’s Sheds secure funding in Scotland, Genesis Theatre Productions is proud to announce details about new play Men Don’t Talk.
This Autumn, UK-based theatre maker Clare Prenton presents her new play Men Don’t Talk - a moving and poignant production that explores that very myth, as part of a Scottish tour that runs from Friday 18 October - Tuesday 19 November 2024.
Alongside being spotlighted in Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Men Don’t Talk will tour to Mull, Cumbernauld, the Borders, Peebles, Aberdeen, Orkney, Aberdeenshire, Paisley, Edinburgh and Cromarty, with further dates to be announced.
Starring stalwarts of Scottish theatre, actor Billy Mack is joined alongside Dougal Lee and Greg Powrie in a production that sees three men find banter, bird boxes and biscuits within a fictional men’s shed that celebrates companionship, camaraderie...and custard creams.
Inspired by real men’s stories, Men Don’t Talk was written by Prenton following cups of tea, cake and spirited conversations with real ‘shedders’ who participate in community workshops hosted by the Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA).
Designed to provide opportunities to work together in a way that contributes to community development, the Scottish Men’s Shed Association’s overall aim is to support men coming together in a way that impacts positively on their health, wellbeing and education.
The moving production will invite audiences into a fictional men’s shed to address the importance of men coming together to talk about their emotions, feelings, trials and tribulations to promote positive masculinity.
Presented as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, in partnership with Scottish Men’s Shed Association and Luminate, Men Don’t Talk has been praised in the Scottish Parliament for promoting the benefits of this growing mental health and wellbeing movement.
This comes in the same year as the Scottish Government held a vital round table with practitioners and leaders who are working to promote positive masculinity in their broader approach to achieving equality across Scotland’s communities, and in a week that sees the Men’s Sheds secure a year’s funding in Scotland.
Talking about Men Don’t Talk, writer and director Clare Prenton, said: ‘It’s really gratifying and exciting to see a play that began with chats over a cuppa in my local Men’s Shed grow into a full length play, touring Scotland. The message it aims to convey is that it’s good for men to talk, and there are spaces for that across the shed network.
It’s been a privilege to partner with Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA), Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) and Luminate to get this important message out there. If theatre can play a part in helping one man cross a threshold into a shed, then the play has played its small part in putting men’s health, wellbeing and suicide prevention in the cultural conversation.’
Producer of Men Don’t Talk and Founder of Genesis Theatre Productions Michelle McKay, added:
‘I am delighted that the first show produced by Genesis Theatre Productions is such an important one. With the high rates of male suicides in Scotland, the tour aims to highlight the importance of expressing emotions, whilst educating, entertaining and raising awareness of spaces like Men’s Sheds.’
Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) Chief Executive Officer Jason Schroeder said:
‘As Scotland’s largest and most successful men's health and wellbeing charity, the SMSA supports the play Men Don’t Talk wholeheartedly, and we encourage everyone to see the play to get a deeper understanding about what they can do to support themselves and loved ones.
To help create and raise the awareness of the plight men have found themselves in with the 'strong and silent' type generic cultural model, this play highlights the inherited situation and, more importantly, a new pathway now available through Scottish Men's Sheds to support the healthy change so desperately required for men in Scotland.’
Andrew Eaton Lewis of Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival's said:
‘We're delighted to include the Scottish tour of Men Don't Talk, as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival's 2024 programme. Our festival theme this year is 'In/Visible', and we're interested in exploring which aspects of our mental health we keep hidden.
Clare Prenton's play, in which a group of men defy the stigma surrounding male mental health to open up about difficult and painful experiences, is an important and valuable part of that conversation.’
Developed by Producer Michelle McKay under her new company Genesis Theatre Productions, Men Don’t Talk is supported by by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund and An Tobar and Mull Theatre.
To find out the full details and touring information for Men Don’t Talk, visit: www.genesistheatreproductions.co.uk
THE organisation behind one of Scotland's most historic travel traditions is calling for young people to join its board as it seeks to capitalise on a surge in interest amongst Gen Z travellers.
READ MOREHere's everything you need to know about the biggest show of its kind in Scotland!
READ MOREAward winning authors, a former SAS soldier, along with HR leaders from Scotland’s top employers are among the speakers for the CIPD Scotland Annual Conference, 2025.
READ MOREBraehead Shopping Centre has announced a year of exceptional success reflected in its 2024 performance – showing significant YoY growth in footfall.
READ MOREThis March, Dobbies Garden Centres is offering a new hands-on Mother's Day experience, combining a luxury Afternoon Tea with a seasonal planting workshop.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MOREThe 2025 Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 17th August.
READ MOREitison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MOREPavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MOREScotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORENew artificial sports pitches will be built in Renfrewshire as part of further £800,000 investment by Renfrewshire Council in outdoor sports facilities.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MOREScottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORERenfrewshire’s annual memorial event for those who have lost their lives to suicide was held last week.
READ MORETop amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORELive Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MOREPavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MOREBBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORESpearheaded by independent Glasgow-based design studio, Graven, the renovation will see a complete transformation and expansion of one of Scotland’s most established heritage hotels.
READ MOREVue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MOREDog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MOREIRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MOREWorks are set to get underway to create a new activity and community space within Ferguslie Park.
READ MOREThe Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MOREKibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORESeachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MOREDon’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE