Won't Fade Away

by Troy Chessman

One magical evening, Over forty-five years ago, Robin and Shirley met for the first time. Instantly, they fell in love. A memory that Robin will always hold on to.

Together, they weaved a tapestry of memories. Memories of marriage, children, grandchildren. Side by side, There is nothing they cannot overcome. But as Robin goes about his daily life, things are different; Robin is changing, Shirley is worried, but Robin can't accept why. Robin desperately recalls the memory of the day he met Shirley... but that memory is constantly changing. Fading. Won't Fade Away shines a light on the symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s disease, through Robin’s eyes. This play is a love story based on the real lives and experiences of two Hampshire residents, Robin & Shirley. Written with support from Dementia UK and stories shared by their daughter Helen, I hope to use a combination of text and movement to detail Robin’s experience of Alzheimer’s. Tackling a tough, taboo, thought provoking subject this is a story celebrating memory and creating a conversation about dementia.

The play is set in early 2000's but we frequently flash back into the past, as we relive the memory of the night they met. The set will hopefully serve as Robins "brain" and be multifunctional for all the things happening including his subconscious with Dr. Smug. Also, when I say we will use movement, this will not be anything strenuous but more visual to explore details that Words cannot easily describe.

"I want you to make memories, millions of them! because I’m starting to realise how valuable they are, more than anything in this world."

Robin

60+ A militant, proud, determined man who refuses to accept his diagnosis. He is a family man, who loves Shirley unconditionally. In his youth, he served in the Army for most of his life before working for the NHS as a paramedic and ambulance driver. We see Robin’s stubborn nature, as we experience his symptoms with him and the effects they have on those around him. He goes through an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, showing strength, stubbornness, and with all the way to the quieter more complex days, as time passes, and the disease takes its toll. We will approach the "performance" of Alzheimer’s with sensitivity based on lived experience.

Shirley

(60+) A strong resilient women who fell in love with Robin the moment she met him. Once a librarian, Shirley is a devoted wife and mother. She may come across mild and unassuming, but she has bursts of strength and dominance. when it comes to dealing with Robin, when she needs to put her foot down. Shirley's love is unconditional, no matter what Robin is experiencing, no matter what he says or how he acts, her love remains undeterred until the very end.

Young Robin

(Should be able to play young) We revisit the memory of when Shirley and Robin met, time and time again. Mirroring the deterioration of Robin’s health, the memory changes, details change, the memory fades. He is a little cocky, nervous and falls for Shirley the moment he meets her.

Young Shirley

(should be able to play Young) We revisit the memory of when Shirley and Robin met, time and time again. Mirroring the deterioration of Robins health, the memory changes, details change as the memory fades. In this memory, Shirley is unassuming, a little quiet, a wall flower, she falls in love with Robin the moment she sees him.. she is kind, sweet with a confidence that can light up the room in her new dress.

Helen

(40-50) Robin and Shirley's daughter - an intelligent, witty, and passionate mother. She works as a teacher and is pivotal to Robin’s care, she remains unphased by the challenges she faces, never sharing her pain with her father. She is the rock both her parents can rely on.

Dr. Smug

(younger than Robin) Dr Smug serves as the face of Robin’s fear and anxiety. He is Robin's doctor, young, caring. Friendly, handsome. His name is not really Dr. Smug, it's a name coined by Robin. He is the one who diagnoses Robin and In Robin's eyes, he is the enemy, questioning Robin's memory, calling into question his livelihood and ability to function. He provides Robin and Shirley with the information they need to understand what is happening, He provides the audience with the information we need to understand Robin's condition.
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Director - Troy Chessman
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Stage Manager - Clare Pinnock
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Continuity - Liz Morrell