Homeless play starring actress Antonia Thomas updated after cash cuts hit hostel

 
1 April 2014

An acclaimed play about the homeless in London starring Misfits actress Antonia Thomas has been updated for its return to the National Theatre after a string of job cuts at the hostel that inspired it.

Thomas and writer-director Nadia Fall said they hoped the revival of the play, Home, would highlight what was happening in London’s budget-stretched local authorities and the impact of young people being left without support.

Home, in the National’s temporary Shed theatre, weaves together the lives of young people in one of London’s biggest hostels.

But Antonia Thomas, who is returning to the cast after being nominated for best female newcomer at last night’s Jameson Empire Film Awards for her appearance in Sunshine on Leith, said the position of the residents had worsened since the play was premiered last August. “Funding has been cut and people have been made redundant. So the play’s changed a little bit. Nadia wants to raise as much awareness as possible. We hope it makes a difference in some way.”

Nadia Fall said it was mad to have made redundant “the wonderful manager” and other staff portrayed in the play and leave the residents without back-up.

“To lose someone like that is fatal,” she said. “They have cut the support part of the housing so they are providing a roof but the service isn’t as strong and will probably fail.” Fall has written an epilogue to explain what has happened. “At the end you get this short, sharp update about where we are now,” she said.

Home returns tonight and runs until April 30. There are also hopes for a television version. theshed.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Empire Film Awards

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