Review: Prostate Not Prostrate - When silence is the real thief

A comedy-drama play raising awareness of prostate cancer through humour and storytelling. Primarily a one-woman monologue, it featured Patty Dumplin, played and written by Lisa Jackson, and co-directed by Jim Findley.

This 'SOLD OUT' play premiered at Nottingham Contemporary on 1st December 2025. It drew a diverse audience, with a good percentage of men attending.

The play also included appearances from Orchid Community Champion Osbourne Taylor and two other champions, Derek Anderson and Paul Pryce, performing silent roles representing men’s reluctance to speak about their health.

Osbourne portrayed the husband and delivered a key message at the end for the audience to take away.

Blending comedy and drama, the play:

• Highlighted the importance of men’s health checks (PSA blood tests, urine tests, digital rectal exams)

• Explored family, community, and real-life experiences

• Encouraged open conversations about health, making a serious topic accessible

• Broke down stigma and cultural barriers preventing men from seeking help

The event was co-produced by Mon0lisa Productions and Orchid, with support from Orchid Community Champions. It was also supported by Nottingham Contemporary Communities Programme.

Nottingham Community Champions - Glenda, Kamal Edwards, and Lenford Vassell, and for Bright Ideas Nottingham Lisa Robinson and Shazia Khan supported on the night. It was great to have local champions as well as other local health organisations including Friends and Bredrins Prostate Cancer Support Group and Nottingham Sexual Violence Support Service on hand to support and talk to man about their risks and concerns.

The production is set to tour in the coming year, bringing its important message to wider audiences.

We welcome healthcare providers, community groups, and venues to consider booking this performance to raise awareness and encourage men’s health in your communities.

Photo Gallery - Of Event on 1st December 2025 Nottingham Contemporary

Photo Credits:@mcaravisuals

Venue: Nottingham Contemporary

Date: Monday 1st December 2025

Audience Reviews

The feedback shows the play educates about prostate cancer symptoms, risk factors, and testing, addresses men’s reluctance to speak out, raises awareness of higher risks for Black men, and inspires audiences to share information and take action.

★★★★★

Age 60-69 Male, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

Age 50-59 White British

"I love this venue." The use of humour to engage the audience with a serious message. I think the play was well-written and brilliantly performed by Patty. I really enjoyed the event and definitely learnt more about this type of cancer. I had little knowledge about this type of cancer."

"Liked how the serious side of the subject matter broken down by humour. It’s increased my confidence. - Speak openly about it."

★★★★★

Age 40-49 Male, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

Age 40-49 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

I enjoyed the information given at the event through the play. Although it made me laugh the message was very clear about how prostate cancer affects men, so they need to check it. I will tell all my loved ones to go check themselves before it’s too late. I learnt that GPs are able to do testing on prostate cancer.

"I loved how relevant it was. For example, the mention of David Cameron having a prostate journey, and references to hurricane Melissa and Jamaica. Liked the humour. I will tell my friends, encourage them to get checked."

★★★★★

70-79 Male Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

25-39 Female Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

"Everything about the performance was spot on, and once the world sees Patty Dumplin’ she will be unstoppable. As someone with ADHD, the strong storytelling kept me engaged throughout, with an excellent use of props and sound effects to make the performance more immersive. Lisa is such a talented woman who deserves all of the flowers she gets, and I look forward to the next performance!!"

"The education made us known the important in having our prostrate checked. The humour made us pay more attention. Patty Dumplin. performance Was excellent. It was good to see one’s who volunteer to give this important message to the community. It's made me realise if I don't get it checked early it could be very serious. It made me pay attention. I will be booking an appointment with the doctor for an examination."

★★★★★

70-79 Male Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

50-69 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

"I liked the use of humour in providing education and increasing awareness with regards to prostate cancer. Will encourage black males known to me to get checked out."

"10 out 10. The complete performance, humour, modern terms, culture sayings and Prostate Cancer information It enhances what I already know refreshes my memory Clifford should have a more verbal part so we can hear his feeling and the difficulties he is going through. Will continue to encourage men, partners, wives a PSA is a life saver.

★★★★★

40-49 Male Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

80-89 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

"A most enjoyable and educational event. Full of laughter. Storytelling and humour. Detailed information through the play and leaflet collected. Ensure more time for audience participation. I'll spread information about prostate cancer."

"The performance, use of humour, the delivery, education and entertainment. I know more of the signs to look out for and who is at risk. I’ll get myself checked as I’m in the higher risk category."

★★★★★

25-39 Male White British

★★★★★

70-79 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

"Excellent, thought provoking. How Patty use humour in a sensitive manner to share her own feelings as a wife with concerns for her husband. The play just set everything in concrete Ensure more younger men attend Ensuring that the younger males in my family know how important it is to get checked."

"The performance which was based on a sensitive subject was well executed by all, especially Lisa Jackson aka, Patty Dumplin. I feel more educated on the subject and feel privileged to have attended as it will ensure lives are saved. Get checked myself and advise others to do so. The performance itself as well as the introduction and conclusion meant all in attendance would be well informed on the subject."

★★★★★

25-39 Male White British

★★★★★

50-59 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

"The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The performance was very entertaining and informative. It's good to know about the signs as an onlooker as this puts me in a position to know if I can have an influence on anyone to save a life, I would. - Talk about if it happens to come up in conversation."

"Phenomenal, Patty Dumplin use of humour to convey the key message. I have also raised the awareness with friends to get checked. Yes, I will get checked and I have told friends to get checked."

★★★★★

★★★★★

50-59 Female Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups

"First class! Excellent performance. Colloquialism of the character’s voice and accent, it was very true to life so could relate and it made it even funnier. I will educate my patient, students and family."

"The delivery of the important message along with a heart warning story. I understand now the symptoms to look for, the issues around men's health and the barriers men have around accessing health care. Will encourage health checks for men and be supportive of their fears around getting the checks. I think it helps to embed the message and explore the lived experiences of people."

40-49 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

★★★★★

"My first time in Nottingham. I enjoyed all of it! It was hilarious and funny and eye opening. Great night out for me From Shrewsbury Shropshire. It was telling. Perfect! "Patty Dumpling For All." I have family members to tell."

"The professional and educational way using humour in performance, to send across a very important message. Absolutely enjoyed… Learned about the Community Champions - Orchid. I have 2 sons - of mixed-race origin aged 42 and 40 that I will definitely raise awareness about this very important health issue with. It’s helpful as someone may raise a question you have perhaps thought of but not the confidence to say.

60-69 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

40-49 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

★★★★★

"Enjoyed all of it. The staff commitment and passion. The performance Angle how informative it was. The risk factors and various ways to be checked. Keep bullying my husband."

"Humour. Good story. Patty was incredible I have no idea how she remembered everything I now understand what you need to look out for. Tell others to get checked."

40-49 Female White British

50-59 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

★★★★★

"Liked the comedy elements the strong powerful messages the graphics. The guvemebta stance and the importance of screening. Tell others to check the message need to get out to the south Asian community."

"I really enjoyed the storyline it was funny, but most of all it was educating. It was written in such a way that resonates with men and from a women’s point of view to be able to support their men. It was very well written, well performed and covered the examination, facts, and feelings. Excellent! Everything was awesome. I’ve already spoken to my husband, dad and other men in my family about it. I realised that getting tested is vital! The play had everything in it!

40-49 Female White British

50-59 Female Asian, or Asian British

★★★★★

★★★★★

"It was so lovely to meet Patty. I absolutely loved the show and laughed until I cried. Such a brilliant idea to share such an important message."

"Fantastic show. Very powerful storytelling."

50-59 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

40-49 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

★★★★★

"Very well performed enjoyed it and very informative. Yes will tell others."

"Yes - Awareness."

70-79 Female White British

50-59 Male Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

★★★★★

"Loved the way comedy was used. The whole event was very informative"

"Like humour and the way story is told."

70-79 Female White British

50-59 female White British

★★★★★

"This was a fantastic performance delivered by Patty Dumplin. The presentation was filled with humour, community related and delivered the education about prostate cancer for all to understand the seriousness of this illness and how regardless of race or sexuality we all need to spread the word to help our men to get tested early for prostate cancer. Increased my knowledge and skills to share information about this topic confidently" Reflection room available after the session for anyone effected by the delivery. I'm sure several people worried about prostate in the audience would have liked/needed personal support but too scared to ask. (men don't talk about this subject easily) "Ensure my son has a prostrate check when he reaches 40 years. Share my learning with my girlfriends who couldn't attend last night. Spread the word and hopefully save a life. There could be a follow up discussion session from this event.

70-79 Female Black, Black British, Caribbean or African

★★★★★

"It was brilliant I found quality in the message that was put over an encouraging makes me want to tell close family members males inparticular and they need to be vigilant about their bodies. How to take care of it we only have one body and if we lose that we lose everything so yes, I appreciate the effort that was put in to get the message across. Thank you very much. Very down to earth the empathy that was showed in sketch was very good and pleasant to watch and taken the respect that was shown was great brilliant well done I heard about it on the news but did not realise just how many men are affected by it I learned quite a bit from it.I wish I took more leaflets to tell you the truth. I only took a few.

60-70 Female Other Ethnic gorup

Partner Organisations

Prostate Not Prostrate - When silence is the real thief

Friends & Bredrins Prostate Cancer Support Group

Orchid Cancer Appeal

Nottingham Sexual Violence Support Service