SCAFFOLDING at Sterts Theatre – A Darkly Funny Drama on the Realities of Parenting and Caring
Date & Time: Friday, 30th May, 7:30 PM
Location: Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre, near Liskeard
Sheridan is having a bad day. Her church is closing, Adult Social Care are on her case, and she can’t work out which ingredients she needs to make a bomb. With no one else to turn to, she climbs the scaffolding around a leaking steeple with a few questions for Whoever Is In Charge.
SCAFFOLDING is a heartfelt and darkly funny and moving drama that explores the challenges faced by parents and carers of non-verbal disabled children. Written by Lucy Bell, a Devon-based writer who is also co-director of award-winning Documental Productions, this production grew out of Lucy’s direct lived experience as the parent of a teenage daughter who has a learning disability and who communicates non-verbally.
The play which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last summer offers fresh, ambitious physical theatre direction, starring former GB gymnast Kerry Norton in the role of Sheridan—a carer who finds herself seeking answers in the most unexpected of places.
Originally developed in partnership with Bristol Old Vic, SCAFFOLDING has received much critical acclaim and a nomination for a Disability Champions Award. The script offers a deeply personal yet universally resonant look at communication, resilience, and the radical act of joy in the face of adversity.
“I guess I’m fascinated by the beliefs people might have deep down – that they might not even be aware of – and the ways these surface in challenging times…
“Being part of the learning disability community in the South West can feel like a roller coaster ride (as you run the gauntlet of services closing or changing or becoming unaffordable) but you also find yourself in a tribe of the most brilliant, colourful, brave, hilarious people. We have all learnt that joy is an act of resistance.
“In Sheridan (played by Kerry Norton) I wanted to create a character who embodied that near-demented but incredibly optimistic mindset – someone who is both totally isolated but incredibly connected to what is important at the same time. And I wanted to make a show that showed how unbreakable loyalty can be radical. Where would we all be without the loyal and committed people who keep on trucking?
“It has been such a strange process writing this play – I’m not sure if the phrase “cognitive dissonance” covers it! My thirteen year old daughter is non-verbal and I have used silence myself to help her take the lead more in interactions, though like Sheridan, my default is to talk too much!
“My daughter has also been through the mill with her drug-resistant epilepsy the last 4 years. She has been incredibly resilient around that, as have her siblings, and at times it has been a struggle to sustain my theatre and writing work. For example, the day before I sent the second full draft to Bristol Old Vic, she had a fall from a seizure and there was an ambulance outside the house. It felt surreal to have a deadline looming and a crisis unfolding all at the same time.
“At these pinch points I find myself escaping into my imagination. So I wrote Sheridan as having this tendency too. I’m not sure if it is a good or bad thing having the script you are working on as a place you escape to, but creativity can give you strength. When you are living in a situation where you have very little control, writing is a way to feel powerful and make sense of things. It is also validating when you realise you have helped others feel seen. I was deeply touched when I got the email below:
“[SCAFFOLDING] took us through the full gamut of emotions, being; thought provoking, humorous, touching, sad, disturbing and joyful. It was quite amazing.””
This special Cornwall performance at Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre, near Liskeard is part of a Double Bill event, featuring a second part where the company will share some original songs co-written by SEN families, set to Makaton-signs, inviting the audience to sing and sign along and explore new ways of communication.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
SCAFFOLDING’s Spring Tour features relaxed performances, welcoming those who feel more comfortable in informal environments. Audience members are free to move, make noise, and engage as they need. Sensory support items—including fidget toys, weighted blankets, and ear defenders—will be available, alongside a Visual Story to guide attendees through the experience.
Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre offers excellent accessibility features, including free parking, accessible toilets, and a Changing Places facility with additional equipment for those who require assistance. For any specific access requests, contact Sterts at or call 01579 362382.
We hope you can get along for an unforgettable evening of theatre, insight, and connection. SCAFFOLDING challenges perceptions, celebrates resilience, and invites audiences to engage in a dialogue about what it truly means to be heard.