TULIPS

‘Tulips’ is a multimedia drama project created by British artist and former Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Michael Beakhouse. Inspired by personal and real-life professional experiences working with victim services, ‘Tulips’ addresses the various communities affected by Domestic Violence and was written to help audiences confront their understanding of gender roles and domestic abuse. The drama originally toured as an Arts Council-funded stage play in 2019, but was adapted for radio following the dramatic worldwide rise in domestic abuse incidents. The multi-media project has been positively received by domestic violence services and mainstream media (including BBC), who have responded well to its dramatic and balanced depiction of a controversial subject. Now, Creative Embers is bringing the show to American audiences - as a full-length stage play, an interactive ‘theatre in education’ play, and a free radio drama. Interested in performing, producing, or listening to ‘Tulips’? Click on the links below to find out more

*This project is being fiscally sponsored by Creative Embers*

How many of the 10 million people who report abuse each year are…men? Before you answer - consider these facts:

But could there be a large number of men who also experience abuse? And how do we begin to find out without taking away from the reality of more vulnerable populations such as women and LGBTQ+? The answer may lay in ‘Tulips.’

‘Tulips’ is a stage and radio drama about The Tulip Project, a domestic abuse service. Its owner Christine has a proud history of ‘saving’ abused women and ‘fixing’ abusive men until she decides to find out if it’s possible a large number of men are being abused. But when two new guys are referred to her for assessment, she has a problem. Both guys have been overheard having arguments with their partners - but no one has actually seen who’s in the wrong. Christine will only find out by talking to them – but what if they don’t want to talk to her? Is it possible for a woman to abuse a man, when the man is physically stronger? People’s lives, and The Tulip Project’s future, depend on the answers.

A RADIO DRAMA. A STAGE-PLAY. A THEATRE IN EDUCATION SCRIPT.

The Artist

Michael Beakhouse

*Michael is a writer from the south of England, with a background in health and social care.*
After a career in construction and the prison service, Michael became a frontline support worker. During this time his work included: the resettlement and stabilisation of serial offenders; supporting victims of domestic abuse; and helping people with a history of substance misuse, homelessness and mental health issues to return to education, training and employment.
Subsequently working as a Local Government commissioner, he helped design one of England’s first programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence as part of wider efforts to reduce incidents of abuse (which received positive feedback from the former Prime Minister Theresa May); developed successful initiatives to manage the impact of nationwide funding cuts; and co-developed an award-winning service for improving children's speech and language development in areas of deprivation.
Following a side-career in acting & arts criticism, Michael began writing for the stage, radio and screen. He was the writer-in-residence for Exit Pursued By Panda Theatre Company between 2018-2020, during which time he wrote and produced “Masters of Puppets” and “Tulips”. The latter was performed as both a stage play & touring production, shortlisted for Putney Theatre Company’s “Revolution” award for new writing in 2019 and featured by the BBC. Other commissioned productions include “Tulips: A Radio Drama” (commissioned by South Hill Park Arts Centre, 2021) and “Victim or Perpetrator?” (commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence, 2021), both of which he also directed.
*He is currently developing “Tulips” into a teleplay, feeling that the story’s exploration of gender roles is more relevant now than ever.*

CONTACT US

If your theatre, school, organization, or local radio station is interested in producing, hosting, or using ‘Tulips’ in any of its three formats, please fill out the form below:

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Theatre in Education

Stage-Play

Radio Drama

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Listen Now

Tulips Radio Drama is available on Google Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Anchor, and SoundCloud.

Media Coverage & Director Interviews

BBC South Today’s Interview with Director Michael Beakhouse

BBC News Interview with Director Michael Beakhouse

South Hill Park Arts Center Q&A with Director and local Social Workers

‘Touchy Subjects’ Podcast ft. Michael Beakhouse

The Impact.

Confronting Stereotyes

Without seeing “the facts” of the case, audiences must go on their initial impressions of these men. The majority of audiences conclude that the men aren’t victims until they come upon a plot-twist that challenges their stereotypes midway through the story.
Increasing Reporting & Recognition

Coercive control (a “nonviolent” form of abuse) is rarely recognized and reported as abuse, despite being equally experienced by both men and women. (National Center for Domestic Violence UK, 2018). Educating audiences is likely to increase this understanding and lead to future reporting.
Assisting Research

Current research suggests that men are less likely to report abuse, but it is estimated that 1 in 9 men experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime (National Center for Domestic Violence UK, 2018). Increased recognition and reporting will provide more research and accurate statistics on how male-identified individuals are abused.
Advocating Healthy Relationships

Abuse is often difficult to understand or detect. By providing accompanied resources and tips, the project can help people identify and reject abusive behavior within relationships. Teens can especially become empowered as they begin to navigate relationships.