In 2018, Harriet Madeley arrived at a seaside hospice in South Wales, intending to explore the most universal and individual, normal and abnormal of situations: nearing the end of life.

Over the course of several months, she audio-recorded interviews with patients, their families and palliative care professionals. These were woven together into The Colours, a Crowded Room theatre piece that premiered at Soho Theatre and Rowan’s Hospice in 2019.

Marie Curie observed in their write-up:
For healthy people, there’s a certain fascination with being close to death. What do people nearing the end of their lives know that we don’t? Perhaps knowing death is near leads to a new understanding of life’s meaning. Or maybe a clearer vision of what it is to be alive?

During the course of conducting interviews, Harriet was diagnosed with a potentially life-limiting illness (PSC). Funded by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant, this brand-new audio adaptation brings many of the voices from The Colours back to life whilst exposing the acutely personal story behind its making for the first time, and examining the role of creativity in reckoning with mortality.

Directed by Max Barton
Written by Harriet Madeley
Sound design by Jethro Cooke

With thanks to Dr Idris Baker, Ty Olwen Hospice, Dr Mark Taubert, Velindre Cancer Centre and all interviewees.

The words spoken by Dr Baker and Dr Taubert have been combined into a single character for simplicity of storytelling.