Cockamamy

By Louise Coulthard

At the heart of this play is an incredible bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter, perfectly scripted by Louise Coulthard who cared for her grandmother whilst she was living with dementia. Far from a sentimental portrayal of decline, Cockamamy is an honest, funny, and insightful exploration of the realities of living with this degenerative disease.

With one in six people diagnosed with having some form of dementia, this tragic comedy is based on truth. Focusing on the experiences of two strong women and a family powerless against disease, this play will use the comedy that arises from tragedy to sensitively portray the struggles families around the world face.

Director, Rebecca Loudon comments, having lived with my Grandma while she had vascular dementia, Cockamamy resonates with me on multiple levels. The play tackles head on the silent feelings of guilt and failure often experienced by people living with the disease, while also celebrating the unique connection between a woman and her granddaughter. I believe Louise’s story acts as a valuable social tool by shining a light on one of the biggest causes of death to the elderly in the UK, while also demystifying the older generation to the young in a time where we are outweighed by an ageing population.

A beautifully written portrayal of the effect of dementia [...] a compelling, emotive and powerful piece of theatre (Broadway Baby).