Inked-A brand new show exploring unique personal stories behind tattoos comes to Romford.

Tattoos can be purely decorative, deeply considered or ‘accidentally’ inked. They can commemorate, celebrate and communicate what matters to us. Either which way, there’s a story – or at least an anecdote – behind every tattoo, and it’s these stories that Theatre MakerLucy Pitman-Wallace has made the subject of her new show INKED.

Lucy, whose previous work includes directing for the RSC, the National and extensive work in regional theatre including Queens’ Theatre, first approached Havering Changing with the idea for INKED back in November 2022.

“My daughter started to be extensively tattooed and each tattoo had a tale behind it. From this I realized that tattoos often reveal fascinating stories about the wearer.  I pitched it to Havering Changing, because I knew there were many tattoo studios in Essex and even more tattooed people. These people wore their art on their bodies and theatre was a way to celebrate them.”

The development of the show began in March, when Lucy set out ‘story hunting’ across the borough and met with many locals and tattoo artists, interviewing them about their tattoos. She then worked with Writer Paul Dodgson to turn them into the unique piece of theatrical storytelling that audiences will experience at INKED. 

INKED is the latest in an ongoing series of productions that Havering Changing commissions and presents across the borough each year. ‘Havering Changing Presents’ is designed to nurture and celebrate local talent and ideas, and to bring unique cultural shows directly to communities across the borough.

Lucy is quick to highlight that you don’t need to be a tattoo artist or have a tattoo to attend the show. INKED is a show about local people – for people who are interested in people! It promises to be moving, amusing and unique – and it might just inspire you to get a(nother) tattoo! 

• Performance Dates: Friday 23^rd and Saturday 24^th June, 7.30pm
• Venue: Cobra Monkey, Mercury Mall, Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EE
• Running time: 50 minutes (no interval)
• Tickets: £5 via the Queens Theatre website – https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/inked/
• Age Guidance: 16+ 
• Trigger Warnings: References to grief, self-harming and suicidal thoughts

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