Theatre that makes a difference to lives of the homeless

Urban Sprawl was set up nine years ago by artistic director Damien Colman to work with homeless people using theatre as a means to help them become more independent and positive in their lives and aspirations.

The company works closely with Leeds-based homeless charity St George’s Crypt, running performance workshops – including drama, music and dance – for homeless people, enabling them to learn new skills and build their confidence within a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Twice a year they put on original productions.

“It’s about treating people as people not just as a homeless person,” says Lucy Meredith, who for the last three years has been publicity manager for the company, as well as a director and workshop leader. “We work with the over 18s and the age range is generally from 20 up to about 50. Because their lives can be chaotic we tend to see them for about six months and then they disappear, but we have some people who have been with us for about two and half years.”

For Meredith one of the most satisfying aspects of the company’s work is seeing the kind of progress that their clients can make and witnessing the hugely beneficial effects of participating in a shared creative experience.

“People who come to us are often quite shy,” she says. “And we have noticed a lot of changes in some of our clients who are discovering skills they didn’t know they had. Some are actually considering careers in professional acting.

“It is lovely to see people grow and change and become more confident. People who have been through so much in their lives don’t necessarily know what they are capable of. We also offer them some escapism from the difficulties they may be experiencing.”

Through their productions, Urban Sprawl seeks to challenge the public perception of homelessness and its causes and give those who are affected by homelessness and surrounding issues the opportunity to have a voice in the forum of theatre.

All their shows are devised – first through improvisation, then scripting – and everyone is involved at each stage of the process. “Everybody has a hand in what goes on stage so that people feel ownership of the production,” says Meredith.

Their latest show, 33 Hints to the Occupied, opens at Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton next week. Taking its title from the first Resistance pamphlet produced and circulated in Paris after the Nazis invaded the city in 1940, the play is set in Occupied Europe during the Second World War and draws parallels between living in an occupied country and being homeless. “You are not at home in your own country; you are outcast,” says Meredith. “We have done quite a lot of research looking at real occurrences, and the stories of people involved, from all over Europe in that period.” The cast of ten includes four clients in the main roles with volunteers and staff members, including Meredith, in supporting roles. “It’s quite a heavy subject,” says Meredith. “So we also use a lot of music and include some humour to keep it accessible to people.”

33 Hints to the Occupied, Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, November 22 and 23. www.urbansprawl.co.uk