About – Documental Theatre

Cally Hayes

Co-founder, writer and producer

Cally is an Exeter-based playwright and theatre maker. She co-founded Documental Theatre with Lucy Bell in 2014. Cally has explored the human impact of health policy and funding cuts in productions SCARY BLACK HOLE (2010), BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE (2011) and BIG SOCIETY (Ignite Festival 2012). Cally wrote Metanoia, a collaboration with Tidy Carnage (Bike Shed Theatre 2013) and toured her play FRICTION in 2015. She was a writer in Theatre West’s 2016 season with FAKE and FRICTION has continued to be commissioned for a range of health conferences. Her collaboration with Hugh McCann on an art installation exploring men’s mental health premiered at Arts Week Exeter May 2018 won the Judges Award at PsychArt London 2019. Cally & Hugh are currently collaborating with Wellbeing Exeter to develop a touring installation about Fatherhood. She is developing CRACKING & HACKED for touring in 2019/20

“Cally’s writing is pithy and truthful. She captures the political mood with a sharp and well-observed satirical eye” Alistair Ganley, Artistic Director of Cygnet Theatre.

“Cally Hayes is an innovator and a writer of great integrity.” David Lane, Dramaturg

Lucy Bell

Co-founder, writer & producer

Lucy’s job as a researcher and documentary film maker for the BBC inspired her to start writing plays inspired by contributor relationships. Since then she has taught in schools and offender learning. In 2011/12 she won the Ronald Duncan Playwriting Award with JO’S WAR and was part of Bristol Old Vic‘s Open Session 2013 with THE FULL TERM, which introduced her to some brilliant future theatre collaborators. Her play, SCORE, won the Toast of the Plymouth Fringe Award in 2015 and was selected for The Guardian’s A Nation’s Theatre Festival 2016. She was a writer in Theatre West’s 2016 season with ARE YOU THERE? and toured PULLING OUT to custodial settings, broadcasting it on National Prison Radio. She is currently writing and directing for Theatre Royal Plymouth’s PlayLAB Festival 2018 and Heritage Lottery Fund performance project, UNEARTH, while developing the musical HOT FLUSHES (long listed for the Verity Bargate Award 2017) and LAMINATED for touring in 2019.

“Her writing is comic and poignant with strong, authentic voices.” – Jemma Kennedy, National Theatre Pearson Playwright

“Lucy Bell’s text is dramatically active throughout. It’s fast paced, emotive and tender. ” – Exeunt