Pique Niche Productions return to Liverpool’s Casa Theatre on Hope Street with their second show. This time the evening is under the banner of What He Said, a collection of four short plays from north-west based writers and which explores mental health issues from a male perspective, including the severe illnesses and death of loved ones, custody issues, the sense of belonging following the end of a romantic relationship, and political turmoil.
The aim of Pique Niche’s new production is to raise awareness affecting men in today’s society, and the four stories represent different aspects of that experience.
Pique Niche Productions is a Liverpool based theatre company supporting new writing from the North of England, particularly writing exploring themes around disability and mental health.
Pique Niche’s Artistic Director, Donna M Day explains, “What He Said came about after I was asked to direct Ian Gray’s Twister for another Company. Unfortunately, at the time the Company were unable to fully cast the piece which meant it was withdrawn from their showcase.
Gray’s unique look at the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder affecting soldiers and the ordinary people touched by war made me want to explore the male experience of mental health further. The play was of course written before the current war in Ukraine, which has reinforced my belief that these issues need to be reflected on more than ever.”
What He Said is on at the Casa’s Theatre on Hope Street on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July. Tickets for the performances are available now and are priced at £8-£10. £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).