JOHN THAW INITIATIVE SEASON AT THE ACTORS CENTRE
Fri 29th March - Sat 30th March, 8.00pm
I'll Fix It Later
By Daniel Hallissey
When best friends Charlie and Graham capture an intruder in their home they’re left with a simple decision, let him go, or cheese-grate his face off. ‘We Caught A Burglar’ is a three-hander dark comedy that explores the worlds we create to feel safe and how we deal with being forced to leave them.
In The Shadow Of The Black Dog
By Daniel Hallissey
A dark comedy about Alquist, who is having a bit of a downward spiral, as he’s convinced he’s dying. Recently single, the world uninspiring, a dead-end job and a weak relationship with his father, he relies on the moments of solace with his best friend. One day – it shatters, any tether which may have been hanging in there is lost as his best friend takes his own life. He wonders how men text friends to say that they’re lonely or where men go to grieve.
The catalysts for writing IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLACK DOG are BASED ON TRUE EVENTS. My best friend died. Soon after, I became ill and was sitting in a hospital emergency room, alone and scared believing I wouldn’t have long to live. I felt unable to call anyone for support to be with me. Months later, I was chased down by two men on a moped, wielding knives, threatening to kill me and I narrowly escaped. After the experience of these events a thought has stayed with me I haven’t been able to shift: I don’t know if I can save myself. I eventually reached out to my mates and found we were all harboring the same fears about being a man or not a good enough one.
This story is about confronting fear, embarrassment and pain, learning it doesn’t work if we keep avoiding the root causes and staying quiet. We can’t just put on a mask and convince ourselves everything will be OK. The way to break this cycle of hurt and suffering and to be able to move on is to be willing to ask questions, address the underlying reasons for our unhappiness and engage with others so we can better understand ourselves. Only then can a better life be possible, as we stop trying to survive each day and start to live.
In everybody's life, we will have the opportunity to save another person's life, and it can be achieved by a simple act of having a conversation.
Creative Team:
Writer | Performer | Co-Producer - Daniel Hallissey
Director - Conor Neaves
Assistant Director - Laura Singleton
Sound Designer - James Nicholson
Lighting Designer - Robbie Butler
Technician - Oliver West
Poster Designer - Christopher D Clegg
Photography - Elizabeth McCafferty
Notes:
Ages 16+, Strong Language, Sexual References
In The Shadow of the Black Do
THEATRE REVIEWS
"The play's messages about reaching out, talking things through and not suffering in silence, ring out loud and clear. An engaging show that reveals the deeper vulnerabilities of an outwardly confident male."
LondonTheatre1
"In The Shadow of The Black Dog is an intimate, challenging piece that is not afraid to ask the questions that are often quick to be avoided."
Theatre Weekly
Show synopsis and raising Mental Health awareness
Creative Team
Writer / Performer / Co-Producer
Daniel Hallissey
Director
Producer
Sound Designer
James Nicholson
Assistant Director
Lighting Design
Technician
Poster Design
Photography
Notes
Ages 16+, Strong language, sexual references
Reviews
"With plays such as In The Shadow Of The Black Dog, we will teach ourselves one day to turn to our friends and be comfortable in asking for help when we most need it."
Everything Theatre
"Hallissey knows how to craft a good line, whether it be a mid-coitus quip or acute observations on the codependence of life and death, and the human condition."
Auditorium Magazine
"The whole show felt like an intimate chat with your best mate. At moments, you felt like laughing and crying at the same time. A thought-provoking and exciting piece of theatre."
The Spy in the Stalls
"Visceral in performance, In The Shadow of the Black Dog is innately human in response to loss. Profoundly personal, with an important goal."
The Skinny
"The play's messages about reaching out, talking things through and not suffering in silence, ring out loud and clear. An engaging show that reveals the deeper vulnerabilities of an outwardly confident male."
London Theatre 1
"With suicide being the biggest killer of men under 50, In The Shadow Of The Black Dog, is clearly an important show."
Voice Mag
"In The Shadow Of The Black Dog delivers sharp characterisations with lovely delivery."
The Scotsman
"That pretty much was sixty minutes of perfection."
BN1 Magazine
"The honesty behind Hallissey’s words is incredibly moving: Hallissey’s play proves itself to be a raw piece of storytelling."
The Wee Review
"The emotional punches are hard and raw. Hugely committed delivery. The script is impressive and wide-ranging."
London Pub Theatres
"The show is an honest, and important, contribution to the public discourse on male mental health. A brave exercise in self-exploration, and could prove the useful conversation starter it hopes to be."
The Scottish Play
"In The Shadow of The Black Dog is an intimate, challenging piece that is not afraid to ask the questions that are often quick to be avoided."
Theatre Weekly
"Hallissey’s writing and performance is beautifully grounded, vulnerable and had us engrossed from start to finish. In fact, all aspects of this production from lighting and sound design to direction, worked in perfect cohesion, to create this wonderful thought-provoking piece. Overall this production was absorbing, hard-hitting, moving and masterfully executed."
Theatre And Other Things LDN
Audience Feedback
@stratforduponal
The most realistic depiction of the male millennial experience that I’ve ever seen on stage Much funnier than you’d expect but definitely resonates more soundly after what we’ve all been through in the last 18 months
@MariaColeActor
Superb writing & a fantastic performance telling the story of a man’s journey through mental health. Funny & moving.Go see!
@IfanGwilym1
A lovely evening watching
@DanielHallissey‘s 1 man show “In The Shadow Of The Black Dog”, directed by the wonderful @ConorNeaves Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this piece!
@AllthePigs #intheshadowoftheblackdog was so good, go see it if you’re in edinburgh! it’s great. x
@CJHammondwriter
#InTheShadowOfTheBlackDog by @AllthePigs gives all important encouragement to men who struggle with their mental help; there's no shame in admitting it, chaps. Hard hitting words by Daniel Hallissey and skilful direction by @ConorNeaves. Go see
@SharitaOomeer
#InTheShadowOfTheBlackDog by @AllthePigs is beautifully detailed, important work focusing on male mental health. Enthralling writing & performance by Daniel Hallissey, deftly directed by the hugely talented @ConorNeaves. Go see
@SpotlightUK
#InTheShadowOfTheBlackDog by @allthepigs is a simple but powerful show exploring masculine vulnerability. We don't talk about this stuff enough. Thank you for putting it centre stage
@SpotlightUK @AllthePigs and @edfringe It's really good!
@Bianca_Tairayne
If you're at the #edfringe check out @AllthePigs 'in the shadow of the black dog' If I was @ the fringe this year my tickets would already be booked !!!BOOK THOSE TICKETS PEOPLE
@Singlebumm
@AllthePigs 'in the shadow of the black dog' I laughed hard and cried harder and i'm still in awe the next day, so good!
@FfionJones88
Well done Danny Hallisey and @AllthePigs. That was a really heartfelt and well written piece! In the Shadow of the Black Dog at @AssemblyFest. It was lovely seeing you smile on stage with us x
Just caught the brilliant #Intheshadowoftheblackdog by @AllthePigs at @AssemblyFest. Such a great show, floored me at the end. Go see!
@TheAndrewGower
If you happen to be at the fringe and wondering what to go and see ... pop along to this! @AllthePigs
@Libby_Brodie
A thought provoking play in the current climate...@DanielHallissey asks What if what we understand to be “being a man” just doesn’t work? There was mirth, tragedy & a couple of interestingly uncomfortable moments which questioned certain gender assumptions. Congrats @AllthePigs
@guyretallack
@AllthePigs Truly excellent show “In The Shadow Of The Black Dog” @bhtse20 last night! ***** Acted and directed with imagination, contemporary theatre, talking about things that matter, moving and funny: GO SEE
If you’re visiting @edfringe check out his show #InTheShadowOfTheBlackDog @AssemblyFest by @AllthePigs. An important one-man show tackling male mental health. #MentalHealthAwareness
@bhtse20
In The Shadow of the Black Dog by @AllthePigs @AssemblyFest is a powerful (with great humour) portrayal of male mental health issues and Male suicide. A wonderful performer takes us on a journey that must be easier to talk about
@Davefriasrobles
#InTheShadowOfTheBlackDog @AssemblyFest by @AllthePigs A brave, brutal and important one-man show tackling male suicide and mental health (don’t let that put you off! There are light-hearted moments!) #MentalHealthAwareness #malesuicide
@Rob__Hinwood
In The Shadow Of The Black Dog by @AllthePigs fantastic moving show about male mental health - open up lads #edfringe2019
Riverside Radio: Ian Barclay meets All The Pigs
Facts about Mental Health & Male Suicide in the UK
Depression is one of the leading risk factors for suicide. World Health Organization
Social, psychological, cultural and other factors can interact to lead a person to suicidal behaviour, but the stigma attached to mental disorders and suicide means that many people feel unable to seek help. Despite the evidence that many deaths are preventable, suicide is too often a low priority for governments and policy-makers. World Health Organization
The number of people experiencing mental illness in the UK is over 16 million. Costing an estimated £105 billion per year. Mental Health First Aid England
4 in 5 suicides (78%) are by men under 50. Making suicide is the biggest cause of death. Men's Health Forum
Men are reluctant to talk about emotions. Men can experience a 'big build': they don't recognise or deal with their distress. Samaritans
26.8% of people aged 16-24 report having had suicidal thoughts in their lifetime, a higher percentage than any other age group. MHFA England