Cardboard Citizens do Cathy Come Home
From Street to Stage from Wilderness Productions on Vimeo.
In 2016, 50 years after the landmark BBC drama, Cathy Come Home, 20 homeless actors got ready for the performance of their lives. This documentary follows their journey to the sell out performance at the Barbican and 5 years later what has happened to them? Has performing on a big stage to rave reviews made any diiference to life? Watched in 38 countries and a standing ovation. Now, the cast have returned to the reality of homelessness and benefit issues. 5 years later we follow their lives, are they still on the streets? Did being involved in such a high profile production change anything? Who has moved on and who hasn't?
Wilderness Productions followed the rehearsals and all the drama on and off stage. Including interview with Ken Loach, who directed the original Cathy Come Home and shooting is on-going.
In 1966, Ken Loach directed a TV play that was later to be rated as the most influential British television programme ever made. Gritty and shocking, the film broadcast to 12 million people. It told the story of Cathy and Reg, whose lives changed from having a flourishing relationship in a modern home, to poverty, unemployment and ultimately, homelessness and the loss of their children. The film changed perceptions of homelessness across the UK. Now 20 people with various experiences of homelessness come together for a groundbreaking stage performance of Cathy Come Home to 2000 people at the world-famous Barbican Centre in London.
At the end of 2015 it was announced that homelessness in London has soared 79% since 2010. Rough sleeping has risen by 18% in 2018-19 and continues to rise. Against a backdrop of this homeless crisis, Wilderness present a documentary that witnesses the transformation of some of these vulnerable individuals who gain confidence, purpose and drive through performing on a stage and their stories 5 years later.
Directed by Michael Chandler
Produced by Hazel Chandler
Images copyright Cardboard Citizens