St Mary's Academic Produces Screenplay for Teenage Cancer Trust

Filming of a screenplay written by Prof Trevor Walker of St Marys University, Twickenham has just been completed by Mosaic Films.

The screenplay was commissioned by the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity which provides support for teenagers with cancer and has built a number of specialist units in hospitals throughout the UK. The purpose of the short film is to raise awareness of teenage cancer amongst young people, GPs and the general public. Filmed in various locations in Sheffield and St James’ Hospital in Leeds, the drama focusses on young patients struggling to cope, not just with their illness, but with the pressures put upon them by their friends, family and healthcare professionals. The film’s Director of Photography Alex Veitch has recently worked on Mr Turner, Marvellous with Toby Jones and the TV series The Syndicate. Joining the professional cast were two graduates of St Mary’s BA Theatre Arts programme. Prof Walker’s screenplay is based on the acclaimed stage version that he produced for cancer patients’ conferences in 2014 and 2015. He has been commissioned to write and direct a further play for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual conference later this year on issues surrounding young people’s experiences of cancer and bereavement.