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Amateur theatre hires wellbeing adviser for thriller

Amanda Horne A woman sitting inside a train, looking out of the window as it goes past some industrial units, with her reflection in the glass.Amanda Horne
The Girl on the Train is a thriller dealing with violence, domestic abuse and child loss

An amateur theatre is employing a wellbeing adviser to support the cast of its production of a best-selling thriller.

The Girl on the Train, based on Paula Hawkins' novel, features "dark content" such as domestic abuse and alcoholism as a character called Rachel tries to untangle the truth about a missing woman, Megan.

"I wanted to take extra measures to ensure our cast and crew were supported and safe," said Davina Beegoo-Price, creative director at Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, Bedfordshire.

Emily Dignan, who plays Megan, said a wellbeing adviser was "mostly unheard of" in amateur shows, but that "it should be a necessity in the arts".

The 21-year-old said she had found The Girl on the Train "an eye-opening experience", as the story dealt with various themes "that could trigger people but also spreads awareness".

She said: "This is the first time I've come across this wellbeing role, and it’s such a brilliant asset.

"We have had wellbeing check-ins with Chris and it made me feel seen, supported, and valued as an actor, as sometimes you’re just expected to ‘get on with it’."

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre A man wearing glasses and a green T-shirt speaking to a woman with blonde hair wearing a white top next to a window with trees outsideSharnbrook Mill Theatre
Emily Dignan said she really valued the wellbeing support from Christopher Dunscombe-Cooper

Christopher Duncombe-Cooper, who trained as a wellbeing coach, volunteered to help with the show, which he "fell in love with".

He said it was unusual for wellness to be part of amateur theatre.

"You don’t hear of it locally. I've done a lot of shows, and at no point has wellbeing been introduced into the structure of the show," he said.

"This feels like we’re on the cutting edge of introducing what I see as a vital role."

Ms Beegoo-Price said she wanted to create "a safe working environment".

"[The] Girl on the Train is a fantastic modern thriller that deals with a lot of sensitive issues that all of us have likely had first-hand or second-hand experience of," she said.

"I felt it was really essential to bring in some wellbeing and fight choreography experts – to make sure it was authentic as possible, but also that the cast are safe."

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre A woman with long dark hair sitting on a red theatre chair holding a notebook and pen as she watches the rehearsalSharnbrook Mill Theatre
Creative director Davina Beegoo-Price wants to ensure the issue of violence is handled sensitively

Cast member Gordon Ritchie, who plays the character Tom, used his experience in fight choreography to train the cast.

"Violence - and particularly domestic violence - is such a sensitive area, we wanted to use it in the show, but wanted to make sure it was handled safely and sensitively," said Ms Beegoo-Price.

"People involved in those scenes have had extensive training with Gordon but we’ve also run a workshop for the whole cast so they know what to expect."

The production, co-directed by Michael Horne and adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, is on from 24-28 September.

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