Life Cycle of Ivy
by Jimmy Whiteaker, with music by Stuart McLoughlin
Director: Heather Williams
Designer: Tomasin Cuthbert
Cheryl is 17 and alone in her bedroom. Throughout the play she talks to the audience. We witness her low self-esteem her struggle to be perfect, her obsession with body image, her unhealthy desire to control her weight through extreme diet and exercise, and her denial that anything is wrong. As the play unfolds her anorexia develops represented through movement by the silent but invasive Hedera Helix (ivy).
Life Cycle of Ivy was first toured to a number of schools in South Gloucestershire giving the opportunity for female students to learn about anorexia and attitudes towards eating disorders.
Photographer: Graham Burke
“Myrtle Theatre Company’s work is always of the highest quality and the success of their work is characterised by the investment they make in collaboration with all those involved in any new project, and their commitment to ensuring the participation and inclusion for young people involved.”
- PSHE Adviser, Bristol