4AM Productions present their latest show, The Game of Love. Penned by playwright Mark Seaman, this powerful drama follows the success of 4AM's previous shows, Murder At Cadberry Manor and The Book of Horrors volume one.

Delving deep into the troubled lives of two characters, the play explores themes of abuse and resilience, shedding light on these critical issues that continue to be common in today's society.

The Game of Love is set in the 1960s, during a single night that will test the boundaries of its protagonists. The central characters are Carol, a sex worker, and Tony, her client. As they engage in conversation, they unexpectedly find themselves revealing the pain and turmoil they have endured throughout their lives. Mark Seaman's script mixes their stories together, creating an emotionally charged experience for the audience.

While challenging to confront, the play tackles the difficult subject matter of abuse, including physical, sexual and drug abuse. Itmirrors the harsh realities faced by many individuals today, and, by bringing such issues to the forefront, The Game of Love aims to flare awareness and understanding of these issues. 

For this show, 4AM Productions have officially partnered with SWACA, (Sefton Women's and Children's Aid) a Liverpool based charitable organisation that supports victims of domestic abuse. The team from 4AM visited SWACA and gained valuable insight into their work, the aim being to ensure an accurate portrayal of the subject matter during the play. Afterward, a decision was been made to donate ten percent of all profits generated by the play to SWACA, with the aim of establishing a lasting partnership dedicated to creating a positive impact in the community.

With an aim on accurately portraying the experiences of the abused and the  impact it has on them, we spoke to Sab from 4AM Productions and asked how they tackled this sensitive subject and how they are going to create a realistic and relatable depiction of abuse in the play. 

Sab The producer explained: 

‘We took great care in understanding the experiences of those who have suffered from abuse first-hand. By engaging in conversations with survivors and individuals who have dealt with abuse, the team gained invaluable insights into their pain, struggles, and coping mechanisms. Their visceral, raw stories provided a foundation for the production team to develop authentic character portrayals that would accurately highlight the challenges faced by survivors.’

The play's emotionally charged characters required the utmost dedication and preparation from the cast; Beth, who plays Carol, and Phil who plays Tony. Sab spoke of how they both delved into real-life stories of survivors to grasp the depth of the characters' pain and trauma. Being a sex worker, Carol had endured physical, sexual, and emotional abuse throughout her life, and this necessitates Beth’s portrayal of her as having a tough exterior, yet concealing a profound vulnerability. Insights from SWACA's cases involving abused sex workers proved invaluable in understanding, and accurately presenting Carol's character.

The Game of Love will be staged at the The Hope Street, Liverpool, from the 7th to the 9th of September. The production showcases the talents of local actress Beth McShane, who portrays the complex character of Carol, and Tony played by Phil Halfpenny. The Game Of Love which is Directed by Phil Halfpenny & Luke Bennet and produced by Sab Muthusamy.

Written by: Amy Brennan for The creative Wire

Artwork by: 4AM Productions