East Street

Elle Cross the road. And carry on forward. I made this walk for you, but I also made it for me. I couldn’t deal with the thought of you feeling alone or thinking that I didn’t care. Because I love you, and I’m sorry I’m not there, not in the flesh anyway. I’ve had to move on, I’m working on the bigger picture but I think you’ve worked that out already. You’ve followed me this far, not just on this walk, I think you’ve been following me your whole life. Always glued to me waiting to see what your big sister would do next, finding comfort hiding in my shadow. But this is it, this is where that stops, you can’t follow me anymore. I can’t tell you where I am or when I’ll be back, but I guess what I’ve been trying to tell you, to show you is: it’s going to be alright.

Head to that lumpy stone figure ahead of us. The Ram. Go around to the front of it. Plant your feet and look in its eyes. Can you feel it? The strength. I want you to be this ram, it’s not bothered by rain or snow or anything else that is thrown at it at 2am. It’s made this spot its own, and it’s as much a part of this place as the soil deep below the ground, or the stars way above your head. Calm, confident, proud and inquisitive. Curious about what’s coming but not forgetting what’s gone before. Like the turtles, and the birds and the shifting stars, finding new homes and continuing ever on. Look to your right.

Follow the trail of stars up towards the shopping centre. We’re made out of atoms and elements that were created during the birth of stars, did you know that? We are literally created out of stars, which means we all have potential. I think that’s what it means. Every time you look down at these stars I want you to imagine what you could be. And at night when you look up you can think of me, we’re connected me and you, we’re our own constellation, nothing can change that. We have our past, and now you have these stories, they’re here when you need them, when you need me. But you have a fresh start here in Derby. Seize it. Thrive. Stand on your own two feet and forge your own star. We can’t control much, where we’re born, who our family is, how people see us but, there are some things we can control: how we see things, and what we choose to create. There’s space for you here, you’re welcome here. Be creative. Go on. Make your own story.

Thank you for experiencing ‘Sorry I Disappeared’, a Walk this Play production by ThickSkin, in association with Derby Theatre.

This play was inspired by the experiences of new arrivals in Derby and was performed by: Ajjaz Awad, Sean McKenzie and Me: Gabib Gadzhialiev.

It was Co-Written and Directed by Jess Williams and Michael Beigel and the sound design and composition was by Lee Affen.

The Producer was Ailbhe Treacy.

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