Presented by Think and Hit
Cockamamy
The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, London, N1 1RL
Tuesday 12th June – Saturday 30th June 2018
Following sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe 2017, where it won the Lustrum Award for Outstanding Play, the heart-warming Cockamamy will come to The Hope Theatre this summer. This razor-sharp play examines companionship and the reality of living with dementia
Starring Louise Coulthard (The Importance of Being Earnest, UK Tour; Doctors, BBC; House and Garden, The Watermill Theatre) as a granddaughter-turned-carer alongside Mary Rutherford (Midsummer Night’s Dream, RSC; Metamorphosis, London & National Theatre) as her grandmother, Cockamamy explores dementia and the effect it has on the immediate family
Perfectly scripted by Louise Coulthard who cared for her grandmother whilst she was living with dementia, this play explores the incredible bond between a grandparent and grandchild. Far from a sentimental portrayal of decline, Cockamamy is an honest, funny, and insightful exploration of the realities of living with this degenerative disease
Focusing on the experiences of two strong women and a family powerless against disease, this play uses the comedy that arises from tragedy to sensitively portray the struggles families around the world face, with one in six people expected to develop dementia according to The Alzheimer’s Society
Director, Rebecca Loudon comments, having lived with my Grandma while she had vascular dementia, Cockamamy resonates with me on multiple levels. The play tackles head on the silent feelings of guilt and failure often experienced by people living with the disease, while also celebrating the unique connection between a woman and her granddaughter. I believe Louise’s story acts as a valuable social tool by shining a light on one of the biggest causes of death to the elderly in the UK, while also demystifying the older generation to the young in a time where we are outweighed by an ageing population
A beautifully written portrayal of the effect of dementia […] a compelling, emotive and powerful piece of theatre (Broadway Baby).