Five years ago, Sam was in the hospital undergoing a hip procedure. Today, he’s on stage at a community theatre in his hometown of Rochdale, playing the lead in a production inspired by his time on a children’s ward. The play offers a humorous take on the experiences he had and the people he met while managing life with a rare disease.
Sam’s mum, Shirley, began writing the play in 2022 after attending a writing course. The play then had two further iterations of research and development in 2023 and 2025. Reflecting on the process, she said: “Sam didn’t want to be involved at first, he said it would probably be rubbish!” But once he realised the main character was based on him, he got on board and even contributed some of his own lines. Drawing on both Sam’s experiences and Shirley’s observations, the play tells a funny but insightful story that helps audiences understand differences that aren’t always visible.
Sam didn’t want to be involved at first, he said it would probably be rubbish!
The creators hope the production will raise awareness of the realities of living with a rare condition, including frequent hospital visits, while also encouraging greater inclusivity. The characters reflect a range of experiences, including a neurodiverse person, a wheelchair user and a person with diabetes.
When asked how she balanced the tougher realities of hospital life with comedy, Shirley explained that the humour came naturally. “It was often funny just observing what went on in the ward…and it’s better to laugh through it,” she said. Many moments in the play are drawn directly from real life. “Lines like ‘it’s hereditary, we all get run over by buses’ are true,” she added.
It was often funny just observing what went on in the ward…and it’s better to laugh through it.
After receiving an Arts Council grant, Shirley worked with a team to bring the play to the stage. It previously had a small run but is now being performed at two theatres before embarking on a tour of 14 locations across the area. The tour will culminate in a performance at the hospital where the story is set.
Speaking about the funding, Shirley said the Arts Council team were a big help, offering advice to develop the play for performance. The play’s producer, Nickie, also suggested adding a new dimension. “We didn’t want it to feel like a TED talk for sick kids,” Shirley said, “so we added the ghost story element.” The result is a blend of humour and storytelling that keeps audiences engaged while delivering its message.
We didn’t want it to feel like a TED talk for sick kids.
Sam has ML III, a rare metabolic condition that causes symptoms including joint stiffness and bone pain. He uses a wheelchair and has made frequent hospital visits throughout his life. To prepare for the role, he worked with a voice coach, as the condition has affected his vocal cords. While this helped him improve projection, he also adapted some monologues to suit his voice.
The production is accompanied by resources for schools, and organisers gather feedback after each performance to understand how the message is received by young audiences. In doing so, the play encourages thoughtful reflection on the themes it explores. You can see some of the audience's reactions here.
Shirley and Sam are now looking for further funding opportunities, with hopes of taking the play to even wider audiences in the future. Shirlely shared a recording of the full play and said: "We'd love any feedback on it too, as it helps us to make improvements and hopefully get more funding."
