Every day of the run, there will be specialist support staff and caseworkers from CELC available to provide support on issues ranging from welfare-benefits and employment; to housing, immigration, and community care law and general cost of living help in Coventry. The team from CELC will be located in the 1st floor Burbidge Foyer on Wednesday 8 November 1.30pm – 4pm and Thursday 9 November 3 – 5pm, and Friday 10 November 11am – 2pm. No appointments will be necessary, the advice and support provided is free, and free tea and coffee will be provided.
Following the Friday evening performance on 10 November, there will be a post-show Q&A with cast, creatives, and representatives from both The Trussell Trust and Central England Law Centre. The event will be chaired by Beth Fiducia -Brookes, the Artistic Director of Underground Lights (a former Belgrade Springboard company run by and for adults experiencing social disadvantage, homelessness and/or mental health issues in Coventry, Warwickshire and the surrounding area).
There will also be donation points for the Coventry Foodbank at the theatre, which patrons will be encouraged to donate to.
Emma Bates, Director of Positive Action on Poverty, Central England Law Centre, said: “Sadly, the themes and issues that Loach explored in his 2016 film have not gone away, they have worsened. Every day, the Law Centre supports residents of Coventry who are struggling with the cost of living, who are being forced to rely on foodbanks and social supermarkets; who are falling further behind with rent and bills; and, just like the character in the play, an alarming number are being subject to unfair decisions by the DWP.
We not only provide people with early legal help so they are better able to understand their rights and challenge unfair decisions; we also work in partnership with other organisation to change unfair systems and policies to make our country a fairer and more just place for all the real-life Daniel Blakes.”
Neil Murray, Interim CEO of Belgrade Theatre, said: “We are delighted to have this brilliant production of I, Daniel Blake, here at the Belgrade. The opportunity to partner with CELC to try and address some of the real-life issues, echoing the story of the play, that many people in Coventry currently face is one we very much welcome.”
Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack. Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids. A fresh start.
A touching story of people coming together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn’t enough when the system is stacked against you.
Hailed as one of the most important stories of a generation, the story is now more relevant than ever; 14.5m people in the UK are now living in poverty (according to a 2022 Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report). This new production exposes the stark reality behind the current cost-of-living crisis headlines, drawing on politicians’ interviews, speeches and social media to highlight the impact of more than a decade of austerity and government cuts.
The first stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film is adapted by actor and comedian Dave Johns, written by Paul Laverty, and produced by Rebecca O’Brien for Sixteen Films. Ken Loach said, “This story is more relevant now than ever. And who better to put it on stage than Dave Johns, the original Daniel Blake?”
The cast consists of David Nellist (Sherlock, BBC) as Daniel Blake, Bryony Corrigan (The Goes Wrong Show, BBC) as Katie Jenkins, Kema Sikazwe (I, Daniel Blake, 2016) as China, Janine Leigh (In Our Name, Channel 4) as Sheila, Micky Cochrane (Billy Elliot the Musical, Curve) as Harry and Jodie Wild making her professional stage debut as Daisy.
I, Daniel Blake is designed by Rhys Jarman (Gecko) with lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi (Is God Is/Royal Court Theatre), original music by Ross Millard (The Futureheads), sound design by Roma Yagnik (Mare of Easttown, HBO), movement direction by Martin Hylton (Gateway Studio/Phoenix Dance) and AV design by Matthew Brown for PixelLux (Bonnie & Clyde, West End).
Watch the trailer for I, Daniel Blake Here.
