Got my first review of Hi, Anxiety and it’s really positive, am so happy. Thanks so much to Alison for taking the time to write it, it means a lot and makes me feel happy that I’m on the right track with the show. The review site is ace – they only review things they love, to share the joy – what a great ethos! They say,

“We are a good news, happy go-lucky, flipside of the coin, other side of the rainbow, everyone’s a winner sort of a website. We look at fringe, London based and regional theatre, old and new films, current events, festivals, gigs and much… much more and we pick out the ones we liked or really think we should advertise and we review it here, for you.”

http://thegoodreview.co.uk/2013/02/shortcuts-the-contact-theatre-manchester/

I was also given my very first 5 star rating here by Alison. This is a fantastic blog for women in Manchester by four Manchester women! I’m chuffed to be included on her site and would recommend checking it out if you get a chance.

Onwards!

Feel very odd but its just pre show nerves as usual, but feel very lucky to be able to share the work done so far, its all come together so well.A few people I want to thank, Ashley Knowles my amazing ace directer, the techie staff at Contact, Lindsey and Lee, staff at the  National Cycling Centre, so generous, Bob Barber thank you for the Turbo Trainer,Peter thanks for letting me have a sneaky look at our British cycling squad working on the track very exciting!! Thank you to friends for lending stuff, and time, and support and skills, Teresa you wonder, Ian sound engineer to the stars! Rhiannon for providing empty lager cans, David for rehearsal space at Frog,oh and the van, and Leon the bike is ace, and Zoe at Teacup for letting me have time to create this work, Ruby for listening, so with all this I go forward tonight to just do it let it be out in the world and hope it touches someone….someone…

Had such a giggle working with Carrie English on Saturday on our street theatre duo, The Door Stoppers. Big thanks to Teacup for letting us manage the door for the Saturday morning rush! We’re hoping to get booked for summer festivals so if you’re interested – or know of a door that needs The Door Stoppers treatment – then get in touch!

Have you got what it takes to pass through the VIP rope?

Thought I’d share a little sneaky peak of Thursday’s show with you. Rehearsals start proper on Monday and I’m raring to go – really looking to bringing it all to life!

…and in case you missed it, which you probably did(!), here’s  a recording of my interview on BBC Radio Manchester this morning. I really enjoyed chatting with Sam Walker, so hope you enjoy having a little listen to me on t’radio!

Had a fantastic time this morning talking to Sam Walker on BBC Radio Manchester, all about the new show at the Contact, Hi, Anxiety. We chatted about my mum, depression, breaking down, being a coper not a carer – all the things that seem to help other people hear about so they feel less alone or like these troubles are only a problem in their lives.

Sam asked her callers to get in touch if they wanted to contribute stories for the next new show – the Mental Health Monologues (I know, I need to work on the name!)

So, if you’ve got a story or would like to chat me to more then you can leave a comment for me below on email me on: debsgatenby@hotmail.com

Saturday 1st December 2012 I took part in a TED x Women.   Saturday was a epic day. To be on stage with these womenfolk who have done and changed things in the world for positive change. There I was with what I had to share, one story of one person who has lived with depression that was my story from my life, from my heart, and I was going into the unknown by sharing this personal story, a risk, an exposure, yes.

What happened ? It did what I hoped, dared and dreamed it might, but didn’t really know it would.  It connected, made emotional connection, mind to mind, but mostly it connected  people who have this also in their lives, they are a carer, they are watching someone they love in a depression, they are trying to walk alongside someone they love in pain.

All the buttons it presses in me it presses in them .

But we talk about it we start to erase the  taboo, we share how we are  caring, we are coping – I say  I became a carer, no that’s not quite right, I became a coper!! And I am trying my bestest to have compassion and patience everyday.

And now I feel this feeling in my guts that I have a mission a desire to keep on keeping on with this. To make my words and this story about me, my mum, our mental health, into something…positive for change

Yes it’s true! You may have seen my previous post about playing up at Kendal’s MINT festival earlier in the year. Well, next in line for the VIP experience is Mother’s Ruin. They’ve decided it’s time for the Contact audience to have a once over and we’re happy to oblige.

So, get yourself down to the Contact this Fri……but make sure you’re dressed for the occasion!

Very exciting to be doing a TED x – I’m going to be talking about my Mums mental health and mine – about when you have a breakdown it can turn into a breakthrough. I’m ready to share a story about Living With Depression.

This link is for the event

http://www.tedxbradford.com/

Follow the day on Twitter: @TEDxBradford

Had a fantastic time performing at Kendal MINTFEST, a festival of street performance, with Carrie English. We worked it, girlfriend! Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

Many thanks to RHugo for sharing this great image, think it captured our personalities about right.