Award-winning playwright returns to the stage with critically acclaimed play about mental health

Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and journalist Phil Pearson lives and works in south Manchester.

Originally from Barrow-in-Furness, Phil has written two full-length plays and 13 short plays – all of which have been performed professionally in England or Ireland.

His play Blackpool, What A Sh*t Place to Die, which is based on events in the life of Oldham actor Mark Newsome, toured the UK in 2019, receiving critical acclaim and coverage from both the BBC and ITV.

Phil Pearson

Phil has also written screenplays for six short films, which were selected and collected awards from festivals all over the globe, including the prestigious Liverpool International Film Festival.

He wrote one of these in lockdown, as well as volunteering for a care leaver charity with Mark Newsome, they delivered an online writing workshop to young people to inspire them during that difficult period.

As a journalist, Phil has worked for the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent and the Manchester Evening News.

Blackpool, What a Sh*t Place to Die returns to the region next month, so we caught up with Phil to find out more before it is staged in Bolton at the Octagon.

How did you get involved with this play in the early stages?

I wrote it after meeting Oldham actor Mark Newsome. He told me about some dramatic and moving events in his life like his battles with mental health, autism and addiction.

That was the basis of the piece, which I expanded on to create a new play mixing real and imagined scenes and scenarios.

I met Mark in the Parliament Square Cafe in Oldham once a week for a couple of months and then booked two nights at the much-missed Three Minute Theatre in Manchester to stage it, before I had even finished writing it.

Those shows were part of Greater Manchester Fringe in 2018 and thankfully all the seats had bums on them for both nights.

It is clearly a story that resonates with people in the audience. Why do you feel stories about mental health need to continue to be told?

The more people talk about it, the more everyone will begin to understand it more.

It’s not just about telling stories about mental health, it’s trying to get to a point where people feel they can talk about mental health freely and openly without thinking there’s some sort of stigma attached.

Theatre, film and literature are all great ways of generating those conversations about mental health.

And hopefully, that can help people find the courage to ask for help or ask someone else if they need help.

What does writing bring you as a creative in terms of your wellbeing?

It keeps me in the present. On those, all too rare days, when I am fully absorbed in what I am writing, I am not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I’m just in that moment.

Writing still also really excites me.

The whole process of going from a flashing cursor on a blank screen, to creating something that hopefully goes on to have a life of its own really gives me a thrill.

It also gives me time on my own to get lost in a world away from the news and the cat’s litter tray, the contents of which have been much the same recently.

What have you seen on stage recently that you have loved and why?

Julie Hesmondhalgh’s These I Love was warm-bath-lovely and touching.

The love and longing for her late dad moved me and spoke to me about how I miss my mam. Joe Walsh’s Frozen Peas in an Old Tin Can has stayed with me since I saw that in Leigh.

It’s a comedy about people trying to get by living on the streets. It’s real, funny and also makes a serious point without preaching.

The cast was brilliant as well, especially the stellar performance from Will Travis. And anything I’ve seen on stage written by Libby Hall, who is by far, my favourite Manchester writer.

What makes you turn the page when you are reading something?

If I knew the answer to that, I’d be in Chicago right now signing copies of my debut novel, while halfway through a US book tour!

A good story, well told, is probably the top and bottom of it.

Sometimes when I read people like Truman Capote or Arthur Miller I have to stop and think about just how good the writing is.

But the story is the thing, that always has been and always will be.

You need to know who, what, when and why and, if it is good, that should be enough to make you turn the page.

Why would you recommend audiences come and see Blackpool, What A Sh*t Place To Die?

It’s the best rollercoaster ride you’ll ever go on – and it lasts for an hour. Mark Newsome is extremely powerful and engaging in this play.

One minute people are laughing, the next crying, the next dancing. It’s memorable and every time it has been staged the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

Tickets for Blackpool, What a Sh*t Place to Die at the Octagon Theatre

Phil Pearson’s Blackpool, What a Sh*t Place to Die is at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton from 17th – 19th September and you can book tickets here

A crowdfunder has been set up, as the play is being adapted into a short film. If you can help, you can find details and donate here