A PLAY depicting life at an ancient hospital for the mentally ill hits the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre next month.
Set in the 18th century, the cast of Nell Leyshon’s Bedlam includes a mixture of sane and mad doctors, patients, a homicidal painter and hypochondriac poet.
To help research the play, Leyshon met with patients and staff at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, the site where Bedlam was moved to in 1930.
Dr Tim McInerny, consultant forensic psychiatrist at Bethlem’s River House, said: “Patients and staff were delighted to help and are looking forward to seeing the play.”
Bedlam. The Globe. London. September 5 to October 1. £5 to £35. To book tickets, call 020 7401 9919 or 020 7087 7398.
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