Beth talks about her new play, Right of Way, written while walking the South West Coast Path. The 5 star, award-nominated new play, exploring disability, chronic illness, and Young Carers, is touring the South West in March 2024, alongside creative workshops for Young Carers. In this guest blog, Beth talks about the creative process behind writing the play.
Deciding to Walk
I was raised walking – with my mum – up the hills in the Peak District, the Lake District, and in the South West. For me, and for us, the sea, the wide-open fields, and the coastline hold a very collaborative, special space for perspective, creativity and conversation. Now older, the coastline is where I continue to go to seek comfort, to walk, think, and also to write. I have shaped my creative process around walking and the body, rooted in wellbeing, restoration, and joy.
I decided to walk the South West Coast Path in April 2020 – during the first COVID-19 lockdown. My mum, who became chronically ill and disabled in my late teens, was vulnerable, and it was just us together at home. Together, we talked. We talked, amongst waves of grief and fear and anger, about the continuing lack of social provision for older and disabled people, and the failures and prejudice of the UK Government. We also talked about the sea. Of one day sitting by the shoreline together. Of walking together, atop a cliff. Most of the time, we talked about nothing else. It was during these conversations that I made the decision to walk the South West Coast Path for both of us.
Just over a year later, I began my walk in North Devon – my feet driven forwards in an old muddy pair of walking boots and a borrowed map.
Walking
I stood on the top of the cliff at Combe Martin in the pouring rain. I wrote poems. I didn’t see anyone else for hours. I walked with my dogs, I chatted to some sheep, and THANKFULLY saw no cows (a big fear). I tried to find the best iced bun in every single place I visited. I listened to the waves. I listened to my heartbeat thumping blood around my body. I swam in the sea every chance I got. I bought lots of ice creams and mint humbugs. I saw the BEST pink sunset in Bigbury-on-Sea. I saw the BEST yellowey, warm sunrise in St Austell. I was followed by some wild ponies, who I’m pretty sure wanted to eat my ice creams and mint humbugs. I napped. I made friends with a robin on a bench. I ran down hills with butterflies by my side. I ran out of breath walking uphill. I laughed, cried, got sunburnt, didn’t get any blisters (a badge I wear with pride), and I learnt a hell of a lot about myself.
With the water by my side, I wrote about grief, Young Carers, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, the ever-decreasing benefits, cultural stereotypes of disability, PIP (Personal Independence Payments), and COVID isolation. Infused by my lifelong experience of caring for both a parent and a sibling, the play I created during those walks wrestles with the anticipatory grief and pathways to joyfulness felt by many Young Carers.
Right of Way
Out of this experience, came my play, RIGHT OF WAY – an autobiographical and embodied reflection on all these elements. Starting in a bathtub, and ending in the performance space, it explores my journey – the perspective offered by wide-open fields, endless horizons and lapping waves when faced with grief and loss.
The stage is bathed in projection images that I took during my walks, it explores bodies moving through, between and against past, present and future SW landscapes. The work is physical, moving with natural materials and is (really) messy with chalk and salt and water.
It gives space and voice to the complex emotions felt by Carers and Young Carers, and in Devon alone there are an estimated 75,000+ adult Carers, and 2 – 3 young carers in every classroom. It also spotlights the many devastating impacts of COVID-19: from the NHS backlog, the deaths of vulnerable people, the 13,000 children who have lost a parent to COVID, and to the isolation experienced by many clinically vulnerable people and their families.
Ultimately, the play offers a joyful, determined message and a pathway through these things – like the South West Coast Path did for me.
Moving Forward
I still have sections of the Coast Path to complete – but it’s a process I don’t want to rush. I’d rather squeeze out every single sweaty, drenched, silly, out of breath, soul filling moment for as long as possible. When I have felt the most unsure, I always seem to find my way back to the walking boots and the borrowed map. Who knows what else I might write in the process?
Now, amidst the start of the Covid Inquiry, we are preparing to tour the play to Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset – returning to where it was made. We’d love to see you there!
About Right of Way
Beth Bowden is an interdisciplinary theatre-maker and director. RIGHT OF WAY is touring in March 2024. Dates include:
Exeter Phoenix, Exeter (11 March)
The Poly, Falmouth (15 March)
Taunton Brewhouse, Taunton (22 March)
Beaford Arts, Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple (27 March)
The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol (28 March)
Find out more here.
Right of Way is presented in partnership with the South West Coast Path Association, Devon Carers (Westbank), and Arts & Culture Exeter. The production is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Follow us on socials to keep track of our journey!
Instagram: @rightofwayplay
X (formerly Twitter): @rightofwayplay
Website: https://linktr.ee/rightofway
The South West Coast Path 