A new play is to tell the harrowing and heartbreaking stories of recovery through the eyes of drug addicts.
'The Junkie Miracles' will premiere at Ayr's Gaiety Theatre as part of a groundbreaking collaboration between Des Dillon and the Riverside Community Trust.
Dillon, an internationally-acclaimed award-winning writer, has penned the play based on the hard-hitting experiences of four recovering addicts.
The rehearsed reading tells their story of tumbling into the abyss and how only miracles can save them.
The play was created in partnership with Riverside Community Trust, as part of the Culture Collective’s ‘What’s Your Story?’ creative writing group.
The Gaiety is one of 23 projects in Scotland that make up The Culture Collective – a pilot programme created off the back of the Covid pandemic.
’What’s Your Story?’ is a creative writing group for adults which meets every week in Wallacetown and is led by Dillon.
Members learn and develop their writing and theatre skills including direction, performance and other theatrical elements. The Junkie Miracles is the first public performance to come from the group.
Dillon said: "Intelligence fell like snow, not only on the affluent.
"These are stories of national worth from real people who represent a swathe of people in Scotland whose voices have been stifled for too long. I hope after seeing this you'll never look at a 'junkie' in the same way again.”
Jasmine Main, creative engagement coordinator, added: "We had no idea when starting out the ‘What’s Your Story?’ group in Wallacetown how many incredible stories were going to emerge.
"From short stories, poems, novels and plays, what this group have achieved in a short space of time is nothing but inspiring.
"With everyone in the group involved, working towards ‘The Junkie Miracles’ play rehearsed reading, we’re so excited to see the stories take to the big stage.
"It’s important to be able to get these unheard stories in front of an audience and getting to share the experiences of our local people on The Gaiety’s stage is such an important part of The Gaiety’s creative engagement and our Culture Collective project."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
