Putting life back into the Downshire

Putting life back into the Downshire

5 March 2014

THE empty wards of the Downshire Hospital are to be brought back to life in the form of an innovative 1950s themed musical production.

One of Down’s most iconic buildings, its Victorian splendour will play host to a specially formed community choir, which aims to lift the lid on the stories told by former residents and staff and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Perfect for the period feel, The Wireless Mystery Theatre has been commissioned by Down Arts Centre for the project. As Northern Ireland’s only audio theatre company they have performed 1950s wireless style for BBC Radio, and played at the Ulster Hall and Edinburgh Fringe, as well as at Down Arts Centre’s Liquid Lunch series.

The centre’s Arts Officer Rachel Kennedy, who has secured funding from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the Arts Council for the project, is behind the idea.

“I always thought that the Downshire building lent itself to a site specific piece of work about its history as a mental health facility — and what a story it would be if the walls could talk, she said. “I just needed to find the right company to work with.

“Wireless Mystery Theatre started doing more site-specific performances using their background and expertise in sound effects and old recordings, so I chatted to Aislinn Clarke and Reggie Chamberlain-King from the company and they came out to visit the Downshire. They were really excited about putting a promenade-style performance together, engaging users and staff and creating a community choir to be part of the production.

“The long-term patients of the psychiatric wards in the Downshire Hospital have recently been moved to alternative accommodation, and during all of this Down District Council moved to the Downshire, so it makes sense for us to get involved with a project that tries to involve the general public with one of the area’s most iconic buildings.

“What we really need now, though, is for people to sign up to join the choir.”

Explaining more about the performance planned for this summer, Rachel said: “The building itself will form the stage — using a cast of two or three professional actors it is planned that a small audience will be taken around a contained part of the hospital.

“Each performance will last approximately 40 minutes, allowing for multiple performances each night over three nights.

“The production will feature original music and professional musicians, and it is thought the central character will be a fictitious patient, resident in the Downshire in the early 1950s.

“Through this central figure, and auxiliary figures in the form of staff, the writer will be able introduce stories of life in the hospital, reflecting the real-life experiences, feelings, and perceptions of people who have passed through mental health services.”

Rachel went on to stress the “alarmingly high suicide rate amongst young people in Northern Ireland” as a key driver for the project.

“We believe there is a need to address the issue of mental illness and the stigma surrounding it an innovative and positive manner — and no better way to do so than reflect on the Downshire Hospital.

“For more than 100 years it was at the heart of life in Downpatrick, contributing to both the economic and social life of the local community.”

Reggie Chamberlain-King, from the Wireless Mystery Theatre, said the project was of particular personal interest due to his part-time work as a suicide prevention officer in Poleglass. Close to Lisburn, it is an area overseen by the South Eastern Trust, meaning Reggie has attended a number of meetings in the Downshire.

“My first impression coming up that lane was what a wonderful, grand imposing building it was —only to be led into a dark, downstairs basement,” he said.

“I have had very close relationships over many years with people who have suffered mental illness. It is something very close to my heart.

“Certainly in places such as Poleglass, west Belfast, having the highest suicide rate in Northern Ireland, it is is something we have been working on extensively.

“I am also aware of the suicide problem in isolated rural areas. Fortunately in recent years there is a greater willingness to talk about these issues.”

Reggie said they wouldn’t be attempting to sanitise the past but that the aim was to engage positively with the Downshire’s history.

“We want as many people as possible to take part,” he said. “It will have a wonderful atmosphere. It is a wonderful building, very, very strange, but always very interesting.”

The Downshire Hospital performance is due to place in June. Anyone who enjoys singing or has a connection with the Downshire Hospital is invited to join ‘The Down Chorus’.

To share your stories, join the choir or find out more contact Down Arts Centre on 4461 0747 or email downartscentre@downdc.gov.uk