‘They say we’re like swans. Ruddy beautiful graceful things on the surface of a lake but underneath we’re paddling like mad.’
Maggie and Gordon first met in 1971 and have been dancing to the sounds of Cliff Richard, Chairmen of the Board, and Jackson 5 ever since. Now in their sixties, and still very much in love, they’ve been finishing each other’s songs all their marriage. But now Maggie is feeling foggy and some days the songs are all she can remember. Her son and new girlfriend are coming to dinner and her best friend is asking questions.
An extraordinary play about an ordinary Leeds family, balancing the challenges of daily life whilst living with dementia. A heartfelt story of hope by award winning playwright Frances Poet, Maggie May is an inspiring new play with love, laughter and music.
Maggie May has been created in collaboration with many people living with different types of dementia and their ideas have been crucial in making this play. This includes influencing the story, technical design elements, colour choices in the set and costumes, sound and music, and captioned reminders to guide people from scene to scene. All performances of Maggie May are Dementia Friendly.
There is a comfortable space for reflection outside the auditorium – The Picture Booth – for anyone who needs it, designed by Leeds Playhouse Resident Designer Warda Abbasi, to amplify the experiences of people living with dementia and their relationship to music.
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)
Age Guidance: 11+, occasional strong language. Maggie May contains a naturalistic portrayal of adapting to life with dementia in the first year after diagnosis.
