A PLAY tackling the stigma of mental health is to be performed for the first time at both Stockton’s ARC.

Written and directed by Saltburn based Vici Wreford-Sinnott, The Art of Not Getting Lost follows the story of two characters who have made their home in the hidden tunnels of London’s Bakerloo Station.

The playwright said: “One in four of us will experience mental health distress at some point in our lives. It does not define who we are, but there remain many negative and stereotypical perceptions.

“It affects all of us in some way, and if we do not talk about it, it will remain hidden, shameful and stigmatised.”

The farmer’s daughter, originally from Durham has carved a career in ground breaking theatre, said: “The play is an exploration of friendship, truth and lies, and what happens to people when they are under pressure of stigma.

“Do they hide, do they look the other way, or do they stand up and be counted?

“I’ve taken some of my own experiences and my two characters – Everyone and No-One – have allowed me to tell the stories of mental health past and present, and to look at how we have arrived at our ideas of what is and isn’t ‘normal.’

“The play looks at two aspects of mental health. We have the personal experiences of someone undergoing mental health problems, and how that affects them and the people around them.

“And there’s the wider issue of the continued stigmatisation both throughout history and right up to the here and now of people experiencing mental health problems.”

The Art of Not Getting Lost was helped onto the stage with funding from Arts Council England, in association with ARC Stockton & Zinc Arts.

The show takes place at ARC, Stockton on Wednesday, May 20 at 7pm. Tickets, which are pay what you decide and are for 14 plus, are available from the box office on 01642-525199 or www.arconline.co.uk

It will then take place at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Thursday, June 25 from 7.30pm. Tickets, costing £10 / £8 concessions, are available from the box office on 0191-230-5151 or www.northernstage.co.uk