A new musical about anorexia written by a Teddington woman who survived the illness is being performed at Hampton Hill Theatre, April 25-29. When Strawberries Are Not Enough charts the story of a young girl’s battle against anorexia and throws light on the way the illness is treated in our society.

Its songs were composed by Teddington resident, Charley Williams, who was severely ill with anorexia for 13 years, during that time admitted to five different eating disorder units and three hospitals. Her weight fell to a dangerously low level needing at one point the insertion of a peg into her stomach in order to save her life. Charley wrote the words and music while she was very ill, little thinking they would later become the heart of a musical that she has now written in collaboration with her father.

Now fully recovered from anorexia, Charley lives in Teddington, where she was born and brought up, with her two year-old daughter Daisy.

“It’s a challenge and a privilege to work on exciting new writing especially when the subject matter is so important,” said Wesley Henderson Roe, the show’s director. “Through the dramatic story of Hannah’s struggle for life and love, we hope to raise awareness of the issues and lift some of the stigma still associated with eating disorders.”

“The richness and creativity inherent in Charley’s melodies combined with the expression and sentiment of her lyrics was exciting from the outset,” said Adam Hope, the show’s musical director.

“Charley has a penchant for catchy melodies, and it has been a fulfilling artistic endeavour to help bring them to fruition as arranger and MD.”

When Strawberries Are Not Enough is being performed at Hampton Hill Theatre April 25-29 this year. For tickets (£11-£15) phone box office on 07957 368644 or online www.ticketsource.co.uk/1000dp

Article supplied by Simon Williams