NIALL MCKEEVER
MARY BARNES
Written by David Edgar
Drama Centre Production in repertoire with Herons
Platform Theatre, July 2017
Directed by Georgina Sowerby
Set and costume designer: Niall McKeever
Lighting Designer: Alex Hopkins
Assistant Director: Ludwig Meslet
Costume Supervisor: Robin (Bobby) Soutar
Design Assistant: Sam Dawood
In 1965, Mary Barnes arrives at Kingsley Hall, the first resident of an alternative treatment centre for mental illness founded by the controversial psychotherapist, R. D. Laing. Having undergone shock therapy and insulin injections for her schizophrenia with little result, it seems unlikely that Mary will ever leave institutional care.
But her life changes when she meets Joseph Berke, her therapist. Encouraged to regress to a childlike state, Mary discovers a way through her madness with the paints and crayons given to her by Berke, creating the fantastic canvasses and drawings which would later bring her fame as an artist.
