MARION SAUVEBOIS hears how a family tragedy inspired one actor to set up his own theatre company

HIS father’s untimely death to Huntington’s disease and the discovery he too had inherited the degenerative condition forced Charles Shetcliffe to contemplate the prospect of spending his final days the charge of an often indifferent and numbed care system.

Determined to cast a light on the thousands forsaken in the social care machine, the actor founded A Ship Of Fools Theatre Company in 2011.

With fellow thespians he has now penned From the Cradle To The Bin, a curious odyssey into the bowels of the system and an incisive commentary on neglect in our society.

“I wanted to write my experience of Huntington’s disease and my father’s, create some exciting theatre and be of service to the HD community,” said the 34-year-old artistic director. “My father was diagnosed in 2005 and he died in 2011.

“I have my concerns. I would hate to end up in a home. If it’s an amazing place I’m sure it would be fine but with HD you become immobile and the idea of sitting around alone unable to communicate is a difficult prospect.”

Huntington’s disease is a complex neuro-degenerative disease which affects movement, cognition and behaviour - causing progressive dementia in those aged between 35 and 45. Once the degeneration begins the person typically has 10 to 20 years to live. HD affects 7 in 100,000 people in Europe and is a hereditary genetic disorder passed down from parents to children.

A Ship Of Fools Theatre Company is an ensemble of performers, artists and musicians, all former students of renowned French drama teacher and Bouffon master Philippe Gaulier. From The Cradle To The Bin follows Mr Whitey, an affable English gent, who spends his final moments living on the edge of a broken care system. Through his encounters with inept carers, sneering owners and money-hungry family members, the gritty social comedy captures what happens when one is thrown onto life’s scrap heap.

“I remember visiting my grandfather, who had done so much in his life, and was in this position of being spoken to like an idiot in the care home system,” added Charles. “It started from a very personal place but we became aware of all these other things happening and it grew from there.

“It originated as a sketch at the Ecole Philippe Gaulier. When the course finished I went back to Bristol. Other students came over and we devised a show over five weeks. At the time we wrote it, there were a lot of stories about the Winterbourne View scandal. It was really shocking.

“The play goes out to people who have relatives in care homes. Ultimately it’s a plea for our society not to forget their loves ones. It’s not always possible to be there all the time for someone but they are your family, the people closest to you."

Far from an unfeeling and sombre indictment of our society, the play harnesses humour, farce and the grotesque to probe difficult social issues, in true Bouffon style.

“We deliver a powerful message but it is very light and funny,” insisted Mark Winstanley, the company’s manager.

“We use comedy as a weapon. The show deals with the darker side of care but we never say that care is a bad thing. There are good places. We don’t take a moral high ground. If what you see resonates with you, you may have to ask yourself some questions. If you have nothing on your conscience it will make you laugh.”

The show will come to the Arts Centre on Wednesday, May 27 at 7.30pm. It will be followed by a Q&A session. There will be a collection in aid of the Huntington’s Disease Association.

Tickets are £13. To book call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

From The Cradle To The Bin is at the Arts Centre on Wednesday, May 27 at 7.30pm. It will be followed by a Q&A session. There will be a collection in aid of the Huntington’s Disease Association. Tickets are £13. To book call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.