Aims
Box of Frogs was based on the authentic content of three people’s real-life experiences with the objective of sparking open conversation about mental health problems and challenging stigma in Ireland. In a mixture of stories, comedy sketches and songs, the performers aimed to de-mystify, debunk and ultimately have a laugh with what really goes on inside our heads.
Methods
The idea for Box of Frogs was spawned when cast members Mary McEvoy and Dil Wickremasinghe participated in a ‘Soapbox Session’ event during the First Fortnight mental health arts festival in January 2012. Impressed with the power of personal stories in opening minds about mental health problems, the cast members set about writing the stories of their own mental health experiences with playwright Isobel Mahon. Box of Frogs was commissioned by See Change – a partnership of more than 90 Irish organisations working together to change minds about mental health problems and end stigma.
Every monologue relates to our mental health, exploring facets of mental ill health such as depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder and eating disorders, and experiences of self-esteem issues, relationship difficulties, bereavement and loss, sexual abuse, sexuality, unemployment, bullying and suicide.
The monologues engage audiences as they travel through each individual’s journey. The recurring theme throughout the piece is how precious our mental health is and how we actively need to look after it and breakdown stigma which prevents so many from seeking help when they need it most.
Artistic Outputs
Box of Frogs has been performed in venues across the country. The play premiered at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre in November 2012 and featured as part of the First Fortnight mental health arts festival in January 2013, with performances at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum.
In May-June 2013, there was a nationwide tour as part of the Green Ribbon Campaign with the play travelling to Galway, Carrick on Shannon, Navan, Mullingar, Thurles, Cork, Birr, Ennis, Kenmare, Dun Laoghaire and Drogheda.
The play was performed at the Mindfield arena during the Electric Picnic festival in 2013. As part of the Mental Health Week programmes organised by Carlow Mental Health Association and St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services in October 2013, there were performances at George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow, and St. Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin. Extracts of the play were also performed at a GP conference in the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny in June 2014.
Evaluation Methodology
Evaluation forms were handed out at the end of each show and the data from the national tour in May & June 2013 was compiled into an evaluation report.
Evaluation Outcomes
The evaluation report of the 2013 tour recorded the following:
Why did audiences come to see the show?
33% of people had personal experience of mental health problems
33% of people had a partner/close family member who has or has had mental health problems
22% of people have cared for or were a relative of someone who has or has had mental health problems
7% of people had no experience of mental health problems
5% of people have experienced mental health problems through work as a mental health professional
The top five things that attendees most enjoyed about the play:
1. The humour
2. The honesty
3. The openness
4. Sharing of stories
5. The realness
Respondents also cited the sincerity, the feeling of solidarity and the totally fresh approach as enjoyable aspects of the play.
The top five most important messages attendees took from the play were:
1. Talk
2. Be open
3. Share
4. Listen
5. Hope
91% of respondents said that this event would change how they behave: ‘I will be more open and considerate,‘ ‘It will help me to deal with my partner’s problems: every insight helps partners to better understand.’
The full evaluation report of the 2013 tour can be accessed here: https://www.artsandhealth.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BOF-Tour-Report.pdf
Documentation and Dissemination
There was a Q&A seminar at the end of every performance. The team felt strongly that it was important to discuss issues raised during the play with audiences and the actors were happy to take questions.
Press coverage of the play can be found at the Irish Independent and entertainment.ie.
Partners
The Community Foundation for Ireland
