Exeter to host new theatre production

A community-focused arts organisation called Carbon Theatre, in association with Birmingham Rep, is bringing a new theatre production about Multiple Sclerosis to Exeter.

Bright Places is a three-women, one-woman show that reflects the unpredictability of life with MS, exploring how to live your ‘best life’ with constantly fluctuating symptoms and an impossible-to-predict future.

Frustrated by the negative depictions of people living with MS, Rae Mainwaring wrote the play to explore her own diagnosis at age 23, which turned her world upside down.

Rae said: “I was 23 when it came crashing into my life; without warning, when everything was going so well, just when I was really, really happy…”

With 90s pop, a costume box, and a whole heap of glitter, Bright Places is a darkly comedic and deeply honest autobiographical story about growing up in the shadow of chronic illness.

The play’s title refers both to the white patches on MRI scans showing the scar tissue causing Rae’s symptoms and to the "Bright Places" where she retreats to cope—her fantasy escapes of disco, feather boas, and pop hits.

Under Tessa Walker’s direction, theatre meets rave, meets hospitals, and endless naps in ways that are simultaneously real and raw.

Rae also said: “So much of my life; living with MS is unseen. That’s a common experience, so it’s exciting to finally make MS visible. Centre stage. People with MS rarely see themselves represented in an authentic way. This play delves into the complicated, knotty, often contradictory relationship with an illness that is always moving the goalposts.”

The production is working with charity partner Shift.ms, the digital community for people with MS. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Our partnership with Bright Places is an exciting opportunity to elevate the profile of multiple sclerosis and engage our core audience in MS storytelling through a different medium.

“MS stories are often confined to the silo of the MS community; Bright Places will take profound MS stories to alternative platforms while also offering MSers the rare chance to participate in creative workshops. 

“We’re thrilled to work with Bright Places as a charity partner and believe that the production can make a profound impact on people within the MS community and the understanding of MS in wider society.”

Supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the play was originally commissioned by Birmingham Rep in 2020 with generous support from the Barry Jackson Trust.

The performances will take place at the Exeter Northcott Theatre on November 13 and 14 at 7:45pm. 

Tickets are priced at £16.50, with an age guidance of 14 and over.