Tech Rehearsal & First Run at Nottingham Contemporary

Tech Rehearsal & First Run at Nottingham Contemporary

The energy in the room was something special. Our tech rehearsal for Prostate Not Prostrate: When Silence Becomes the Real Thief marked a powerful moment for the team — standing on the edge of our very first run, in a sold-out space, at Nottingham Contemporary.

To see a full house before opening night is always emotional. It reminds us why this work matters. The champions were preparing, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the sense of community support was truly felt in every corner of the building. Nottingham Contemporary continues to be a space we are always excited to work in — a venue that genuinely opens its doors to communities, stories, and conversations that matter.

Our tech support on the day was outstanding. Craig and Holly were nothing short of amazing — professional, patient, and completely tuned in to our needs. Their calm support allowed us to focus fully on the performance and the message we are bringing forward.

This production has been commissioned by Orchid, and we genuinely applaud them for taking a bold, alternative route to engaging men through creativity and humour. We know that using humour around a subject like prostate cancer can sometimes raise questions about whether the issue is being trivialised — but we believe the opposite is true. Creativity disarms fear, opens hearts, and invites people into conversations they might otherwise avoid. I absolutely love the brave, new approaches Orchid continue to strive for in order to reach men in ways that are real, accessible, and human.

At the heart of this work is the commitment to bringing true-to-life situations to the stage, through authentic characterisation that feels deeply representative of real voices. The language, the rhythm, the dialect — including the echoes of Patwa and the lived experiences of first-generation Windrush communities — all carry a truth that people instantly recognise. These are voices many remember fondly, voices that reflect family, neighbours, and lived histories. It’s why audiences don’t just watch the story — they feel it.

Patty Dumplin may be known as a comedy character, but in this play she reveals her layers. The humour is still there, but so is the vulnerability, the fear, the love, and the strength. The audience truly goes on a journey with her — laughing one moment, holding their breath the next.

Nottingham Contemporary has played a key role in helping us bring this show and event to Black communities across Nottingham, creating space for vital conversations around prostate health, silence, and survival.

This is our very first run of Prostate Not Prostrate, and it has also been made possible through the continued support of the Asda Foundation. They not only provided rehearsal space but also supported us with a venue for our bi-monthly meetings — giving us the consistency and stability needed to develop the work properly.

It was also a real pleasure to welcome Ali Orhan from Orchid, who travelled from London to be with us for this moment. We are truly grateful that FAB Friends and Bredrin, Nottingham Sexual Health Service, and the Rose Thompson Foundation will be joining us for the event too. It matters deeply when community organisations come together to front an event like this — united around awareness, prevention, and change.

We have also been incredibly fortunate to have the support of Jim Findley, local actor and writer, who has been co-directing the play with us. It has been a real gift to tap into his years of experience. Sadly, Jim won’t be able to join us in person for this run as he will be in the thick of his own production, Rivals, at the Orange Tree Theatre — a sold-out show. He was genuinely gutted not to be here with us, but as we all know, you can’t be in two places at once. Even so, in full rehearsal mode for such a major production, Jim still found time to call in and continue shaping the pace of the show from a distance. For that, I am deeply grateful.

This is more than just a performance.
It’s a collective moment.
A conversation starter.
A challenge to silence.

Because silence is often the real thief — and together, we are choosing to speak