‘Unforgettable’: a new which play puts the experiences of staff and care home residents centre stage

On Tuesday 13 September at The Carriageworks in Leeds, Leeds Care Association and Pluto Play Productions presented the first performance of ‘Unforgettable: Telling the Care Home Story’.

Commissioned by Leeds Care Association and written by Pluto Play Productions founder Brian Daniels, ‘Unforgettable’ is a new play which puts the experiences of staff and care home residents during the Covid-19 pandemic centre stage.

To capture those deeply personal stories, Daniels spoke to staff in the sector, as well as care home residents and their families, which helped him to understand the reality behind the headlines and the challenges faced by those working in the sector.

Brian Daniels said: “I have written and researched 22 plays about care and health issues over the last 15 years. ‘Telling the Care Home Story’ was harrowing to research, and I spoke to many inconsolable family members who had lost the person they most loved during the pandemic. What came across most strongly though was the compassion, care and love demonstrated without fail by the care home staff I met: ‘They are not residents - they are ‘Mary’, ‘Joe’ and ‘Hilda’.  They were our family too’ resonated so strongly.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for those I interviewed and who felt able to share something of their pain and loss - sometimes with humour through the tears.  I hope the play is a true representation of the range of emotions I encountered.” 

The performance on 13 September was for health and social care staff only, with further dates for the general public to be announced in due course.

If you want to discuss bringing a production of ‘Unforgettable’ to your workplace or community setting, please get in touch.