In the impoverished, post-war London of the 1950s, seven-year-old Uma lives with her brothers and her working-class parents; Ronnie and Shahine. When Uma is removed from the family home by the state and placed indefinitely in a rural, convalescence home, a personal odyssey begins. Uma must contend with the formidable Sister, racist bullying and a hostile environment. Cut off from her family; armed only with her trusty teddy bear; Uma will learn a new meaning for the word home.

Writer Gill Parsons is a retired lecturer and magistrate. The Home was developed from her own lived experience as a child. Co-created by Claire Coaché and Lisle Turner, the artistic directors of Hereford’s own Open Sky, the work combines new writing with physicalised performance, object manipulation, sound design and music, from both past and present.

Open Sky are a multi-award-winning production company specialising in the interface between live theatre and technology. The Home was developed as part of Courtyard Hereford’s Writing Room Extra that is delivered by Lisle Turner on behalf of Feral Productions.

This project offers work experience and skills development to local young people seeking a career in the theatre industry. It is funded by the UK Government.

Suitable for ages 12+.

Written by Gill Parsons
Directed by Claire Coaché & Lisle Turner
Produced by Kama Roberts
Designed by Ioana Curelea