Well, since we debuted our new show, Behind the Wallpaper, at the Bay Theatre last month, we have certainly had a positive buzz in the community about the play! 

We had had calls from:
Channel 4 News

BBC Radio Solent
They kindly did an interview with Felicity Ayles, one of our friends who we worked with very closely throughout the writing process. She, herself, suffered with Postnatal Depression after her son came into the world 6 weeks early.
You can listen to the interview here: 
https://audioboo.fm/boos/2324329-felicity-ayles-shares-her-story-of-post-natal-depression-with-breakfast-in-dorset-103-8fm

The Drama Point
We've had an interview with a fantastic new website called The Drama Point (www.thedramapoint.co.uk). They are also sending a reviewer to our show at the Charlton Down Village Hall so keep your eyes peeled for that.
You can read the interview here:
http://www.thedramapoint.co.uk/?p=333

Blackmore Vale Magazine
Blackmore Vale included an article on their website advertising the tour. The article can be viewed here:
http://www.blackmorevale.co.uk/Rummage-Theatre-takes-Wallpaper-play-Dorset-tour/story-21746936-detail/story.html

Current Production

Rummage Theatre are currently writing their third play, Behind the Wallpaper, which examines the effects of postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis and questions if enough is being done to help sufferers of this temporary and dangerous mental illness. When the company first set about researching postnatal illness, they were shocked at how many people, men and women, who came forward to discuss their own experiences. It is clear that a higher than expected number of people has suffered with this illness, but even more shockingly, they suffer behind closed doors. The company are passionate about putting an end to the stigma of postnatal illnesses and want to encourage sufferers to open up about their experiences and help to improve the understanding of the condition, particularly in Dorset. The company are working very closely with a number of advocates and charities who are initiating a Postnatal Illness Awareness Month in the UK and hope to raise more awareness of this in the local community.

Behind the Wallpaper Synopsis

Often brushed off as the ‘baby blues’, postnatal depression causes many mothers to feel guilty and inadequate. For two in every thousand new mothers, postnatal depression develops into something far more frightening – postpartum psychosis. Within just a few days, people can experience hallucinations and feel disconnected from reality. Their manic behaviour becomes a serious threat to both mother and child.                                                        

‘Behind the Wallpaper’ is inspired by Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, which explores one woman’s struggle with postnatal depression and the subsequent destructive effects it has on her life and relationships. Overlooked by her 'super mum’ sister Olivia, are the signs of Julie’s decline into postpartum psychosis being missed? And who is to blame?

As her mental health deteriorates, Julie becomes withdrawn, paranoid and deluded. Isolated and exhausted, what is it about the yellow wallpaper that irritates and distresses her?

Will the shadows in the wallpaper consume Julie or will their liberation set her free? Inspired by accounts of real women, Behind the Wallpaper is a gripping and poignant piece of theatre, which will leave you questioning if enough is being done to help sufferers of postpartum psychosis. Has our understanding and perception of mental health improved since Gilman’s warnings in her 1892 story, ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’? A newly written play by Rummage Theatre that continues to question your moral convictions and challenge social preconceptions.

Tour Dates

Behind the Wallpaper debuts at The Bay Theatre, Weymouth College on Thursday 19th June at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions) and can be booked by calling 01305 208702 or you can book on line by going to http://thebaytheatre.ticketsource.co.uk/.

Rummage Theatre are also touring in various venues around Dorset:

Saturday 26th July, Charlton Down Village Hall, 8pm

Wednesday 30th July, Weymouth Old Town Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 22nd August, Dorchester Corn Exchange, 8pm

Saturday 23rd August, Worth Matravers Village Hall, 8pm

You can book tickets for these tour dates by calling the Marketing Manager, Rhea Soulsby on 07772114927. You can also contact the office on 01305 764710.

Press and Reviews

Cleansed (2012)

“Stunning, evocative... I would recommend unreservedly” The f word

4 STARS “Skilful acting... definitely worth your time” Broadway Baby

“Brilliantly executed, spellbound throughout. What a moving experience!” Rita Mathews, Audience Member

Captive Minds (2013)

“…engrossing; the creepy character of Arty Clarkey and the story was unsettling; all the characters had impact and the performance gave us food for thought.” Jane McKell, AsOne Theatre

“Impressive!” Broadway Baby

“Brilliantly written and well-acted, you really lived up to your reputation of challenging moral judgements and I found myself questioning whether good could come out of so much bad... Powerful stuff!” Felicity Ayles, Audience Member

Company Bio

Rummage Theatre was founded in 2011 at The Bay Theatre, where they have been working as the Company in Residence. As members of the LEAP (local emerging artist’s platform) project, they were invited to perform as part of the cultural provision for London 2012.

Rummage Theatre devise their own work, which is inspired by real life events, evoking emotions, asking questions and sparking debate. With the intention of challenging each audience member’s moral judgements, Rummage presents theatre which is thought-provoking and accessible for all. The company have so far written two plays and are currently in the process of researching and writing their third.

Rummage Theatre have a strong touring history, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012 and 2013 and touring a variety of local rural venues. Their performances have always been well received, with a 4 star review from Broadway Baby under their belt and plenty of praise from Fringe critics and audience members.

Past Productions

Cleansed (2012) told the story of a former inmate of a Magdalene Laundry Institution in Ireland. It looked at her fight for a long overdue apology from the nun who beat and tormented her and the Irish government who failed to acknowledge the wrongful imprisonment of hundreds of women.

Captive Minds (2013) explored the psyche of three very different women who have all come in to contact with a male serial killer. We questioned what affects this highly dangerous man had on each of their lives and why some women are so attracted to men who do such terrible and unforgivable things.

Company Members

Rummage Theatre members have extensive experience in many of the performing arts fields. Hannah Soulsby-Phillips is a graduate from the Birmingham School of Acting. She completed a national tour with Quantum Theatre and now works as a drama and singing teacher. Rhea Soulsby completed a Foundation Degree in Performance Practice and a Diploma in Teaching and is currently working as  a performing arts lecturer. Lauren Whitehead completed a degree in Dance and Culture, a PGCE in Dance Education and currently owns and works as the Principal of Razzamataz Theatre School Weymouth.

Behind the Wallpaper opens on Thursday 19th June at 7.30pm at The Bay Theatre, Weymouth College, DT4 7LQ. 
Tickets are selling well so it is advised that you book your tickets in advance. 
You can book by calling the Box Office on 01305 208702 or visiting the booking system on line at www.ticketsource.com/thebaytheatre 
Tickets are £8, £6 concessions.
Look forward to seeing you there!

We will débuting our new play, Behind the Wallpaper in just 2 weeks time at the Bay Theatre, Weymouth College. Tickets are booking up quickly so please make sure you call 01305 208702 or visit http://thebaytheatre.ticketsource.co.uk/ to book yours. 
This is a play that we are extremely proud of. We have received a lot of interest about the piece, particularly from Postnatal Illness charities and organisations who are looking to work with us in the future to help raise awareness and funds. Watching the play will not only support local theatre but it will help these charities to build knowledge in the community of their work and their aims for the future. 
So, come along to the Bay Theatre, Weymouth College, DT4 7LQ on Thursday 19th June at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £8, £6 concessions.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Hi all,
Good news, we are finally able to reveal our tour dates. You can catch our new show, Behind the Wallpaper, which is exploring Postnatal Depression and Postpartum Psychosis on:

Saturday 26th July at the Charlton Down Village Hall (Herrison Hall) at 8pm
Wednesday 30th July at the Weymouth Old Town Hall at 7.30pm
Friday 22nd August at the Dorchester Corn Exchange at 8pm
Saturday 23rd August at Worth Matravers Village Hall at 8pm

You can reserve tickets for these tour dates by calling the Marketing Manager, Rhea Soulsby on 07772114927. You can also contact the office on 01305 764710. Tickets are £8, £6 concessions. Please make sure you call to reserve to make sure you get seats! Looking forward to seeing you there!

We have just uploaded a Crowdfunder to help us tour Behind the Wallpaper and raise awareness of Postnatal Depression and Postpartum Psychosis in and around Dorset. Please help us by pledging on the website by clicking HERE. We will be eternally grateful! Plus the more you pledge, the more free stuff you get :o)

Rummage Theatre will be touring ‘Behind the Wallpaper’ from June 2014 in theatres and venues across Dorset. Our tour has two main aims…

1.       To raise awareness of postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis. At least fifteen percent of new mothers experience some form of postnatal depression. For two in every one thousand new mothers, Postnatal Depression develops into something far more frightening – Postpartum Psychosis.  Within just a few days, they can experience hallucinations and feel disconnected from reality. In extreme cases, women have been known to take their own lives and sadly, the lives of their new baby. We are planning to work closely with a number of postnatal depression charities and organisations in an attempt to raise awareness of the subject and help to erase the taboo surrounding mental health issues.

2.       To bring innovative, stimulating and inspiring new theatre to audiences in Dorset. We are passionate about touring our work in villages and communities that might not otherwise have access to the arts (be it for health, economic or logistical reasons.)

We are appealing for funding to help finance the travel and accommodation costs of the tour as well as helping to fund the purchase of set, props and costume.

Well, well, well! We hope you've all had a fabulous Easter. We certainly did, we now have chocolate running through our veins! We spent the first week of the Easter holidays in the Bay Theatre, building our set, playing with projection and silhouettes, blocking, writing music and having some photos taken by photographer, Matt Ayles. And here they are!
We're in the process of booking our tour. Dates are coming in and we'll be able to reveal a few of the earlier dates soon. Keep visiting the page or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for easier updates. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in booking the company for a performance or workshop or simply if you just fancy a chat. Our e-mail address is . For more specific contacts, please visit the contact page.
Rummage Theatre.

We had a fantastic and inspiring rehearsal ith Dave Phillips today to explore different music composition ideas for Behind the Wallpaper. Dave has already composed two great pieces that will be featured in the play.
Dave is a well known musician in Dorset, who is currently working for the Alive Network agency gigging all over England at various functions.
We are very lucky to be working with him and we're very excited to put our creative minds together!

Hi all,
We are on the look out for Postnatal Depression/Postpartum Psychosis charities or organisations in Dorset that would be interested in working with us throughout the tour of our newly written play, Behind the Wallpaper. The play deals with Postnatal Depression/Postpartum Psychosis and the subsequent destructive effects it has on mothers and their relationships. We are exploring the support that is available to women and families in Dorset and we are passionate about raising awareness of this temporary but dangerous madness.
If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please contact Lauren at . If you would like to find out more about the play, please visit the PRODUCTIONS page. For more contact details, please look at the CONTACT page.
Thanks!