REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Day Before
Written and performed by Sharon Williams
Directed by Amanda Whiteford
Stage Managed by Alice Elizabeth Ryan
performed at Up The Road, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff on Sea
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Day Before
Written and performed by Sharon Williams
Directed by Amanda Whiteford
Stage Managed by Alice Elizabeth Ryan
performed at Up The Road, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff on Sea
Sadly, it’s an ongoing theme these days and one that is all too often highlighted in newspapers and throughout media platforms. Yet despite the constant concerns and pleas from parents and teachers for help from the government, the amount of young people committing suicide as a result of harmful online influences is becoming shockingly frequent in today’s society with a clear indication that despite inroads to tackling this issue, much more needs to be done.
Based on a true story, The Day Before centres on these issues, focusing on the tragically short life of Sophie Steele. In her self penned one woman play, Sharon Williams has stepped into the role of Sophie’s mother, Denise, with a heartfelt and poignant interpretation of the events leading up to the moment Sophie fatefully took her own life.
It’s a tough watch in places but Williams has a storytelling gift that lends the piece moments of much needed light and humour to alleviate the darkest of shade but stays, nevertheless, constantly compelling.
The play begins with the introduction of the family. Ted being the first born, with Williams taking on all the characteristics of a small lad who clearly loves kisses from his mum even as he gets older and adores his little sister, Sophie, when she comes along, and we see Denise watching over her as she coos in her cot. We are taken along on family trips and holidays. There is the ever presence of Denise’s know-it-all mother who invites herself into the family home to 'help out' with the baby and never leaves; always knowing what’s best much to the chagrin of Denise. Husband, Frank, features with frustrating traits which sometimes adds to the humour but we also see him as the father who just can’t come to terms with the loss of his daughter. Essentially though, they are just an ordinary family we can all resonate with.
Denise and Frank’s marriage certainly had its cracks while they were coming to terms with it and questioning whether they hadn’t done enough. Denise finds strength in sharing their story and campaigning while Frank buries his head in the sand.
Each character is clearly defined and even without actually seeing them, we can imagine them; politicians, secretaries, counsellors, teachers are all given personalities and nuances that are clearly defined. It’s a skill Williams does effortlessly and has mastered it well. It’s a powerful tool.
Intertwined within this play are snippets of information referring to just how much of a damaging influence to young people - even as young as primary school age - the internet can be, and with practically every child owning a mobile phone today, the power to take control of those who are vulnerable and impressionable is overwhelmingly strong. You only have to click ‘like’ on one post of a person who has written about feeling worthless or about bullying and the algorithms have a field day making sure that every time you scroll through your social media something along the same lines will constantly pop up on your feed.
It’s hard to know why Sophie felt the need to end her life. She was outwardly seemingly happy, "I'm fine mam," although she spoke of bullying and teachers showed concern when she was quieter than usual. There were many factors that could have contributed. However, a talented poet and writer, it’s Sophie’s poems that provide a true insight into her world and the final poem, A Poem for My Bear, the nickname she called her mother, is the one that packs the biggest punch. 'The day will begin like any other...'
The play ends. The lights go down and Williams exits the stage to huge applause from the audience. She returns for bows to even louder applause. When the lights go back up there is complete silence, aside from some audible sniffs and visible tear wiping.
The Day Before is a truly impactful play that really needs to be seen by wider audiences if we are to go any way near to protecting our children. It’s a truthful insight into just how difficult it is, especially for vulnerable and sensitive children, to cope with the pressures of harmful online content that they just can't help but see as they scroll through their social media feeds. We need to be able to talk to our children and each other about our fears and problems and reach out for help. It's there (list below) but ultimately if the voices of parents like Denise and Frank Steele are not heard by the higher echelons of society and government officials, who have the clout to do something about it, then that is the real tragedy.
Review: Kim Tobin
Based on a true story, The Day Before centres on these issues, focusing on the tragically short life of Sophie Steele. In her self penned one woman play, Sharon Williams has stepped into the role of Sophie’s mother, Denise, with a heartfelt and poignant interpretation of the events leading up to the moment Sophie fatefully took her own life.
It’s a tough watch in places but Williams has a storytelling gift that lends the piece moments of much needed light and humour to alleviate the darkest of shade but stays, nevertheless, constantly compelling.
The play begins with the introduction of the family. Ted being the first born, with Williams taking on all the characteristics of a small lad who clearly loves kisses from his mum even as he gets older and adores his little sister, Sophie, when she comes along, and we see Denise watching over her as she coos in her cot. We are taken along on family trips and holidays. There is the ever presence of Denise’s know-it-all mother who invites herself into the family home to 'help out' with the baby and never leaves; always knowing what’s best much to the chagrin of Denise. Husband, Frank, features with frustrating traits which sometimes adds to the humour but we also see him as the father who just can’t come to terms with the loss of his daughter. Essentially though, they are just an ordinary family we can all resonate with.
Denise and Frank’s marriage certainly had its cracks while they were coming to terms with it and questioning whether they hadn’t done enough. Denise finds strength in sharing their story and campaigning while Frank buries his head in the sand.
Each character is clearly defined and even without actually seeing them, we can imagine them; politicians, secretaries, counsellors, teachers are all given personalities and nuances that are clearly defined. It’s a skill Williams does effortlessly and has mastered it well. It’s a powerful tool.
Intertwined within this play are snippets of information referring to just how much of a damaging influence to young people - even as young as primary school age - the internet can be, and with practically every child owning a mobile phone today, the power to take control of those who are vulnerable and impressionable is overwhelmingly strong. You only have to click ‘like’ on one post of a person who has written about feeling worthless or about bullying and the algorithms have a field day making sure that every time you scroll through your social media something along the same lines will constantly pop up on your feed.
It’s hard to know why Sophie felt the need to end her life. She was outwardly seemingly happy, "I'm fine mam," although she spoke of bullying and teachers showed concern when she was quieter than usual. There were many factors that could have contributed. However, a talented poet and writer, it’s Sophie’s poems that provide a true insight into her world and the final poem, A Poem for My Bear, the nickname she called her mother, is the one that packs the biggest punch. 'The day will begin like any other...'
The play ends. The lights go down and Williams exits the stage to huge applause from the audience. She returns for bows to even louder applause. When the lights go back up there is complete silence, aside from some audible sniffs and visible tear wiping.
The Day Before is a truly impactful play that really needs to be seen by wider audiences if we are to go any way near to protecting our children. It’s a truthful insight into just how difficult it is, especially for vulnerable and sensitive children, to cope with the pressures of harmful online content that they just can't help but see as they scroll through their social media feeds. We need to be able to talk to our children and each other about our fears and problems and reach out for help. It's there (list below) but ultimately if the voices of parents like Denise and Frank Steele are not heard by the higher echelons of society and government officials, who have the clout to do something about it, then that is the real tragedy.
Review: Kim Tobin
Below: Sharon Williams in rehearsal - Credit Kim Tobin Photography
