A RAW, compelling drama about domestic violence, developed in consultation with people involved in abusive relationships, is staged in Bradford next week.

You Forgot the Mince is a powerful portrait of an intense, passionate and ultimately abusive relationship that spirals out of control.

It is the debut play by Yorkshire writer Francesca Joy, who spent two years researching and developing it. Her research included interviews with victims of domestic abuse and she attended focus groups with former offenders and counselling groups with men who have a history of violence against women. She also spoke to prisoners, prison officers and probation workers, and did a week-long training course with Safe Ground at the National Offender Management Unit. Read more here…

imagine if are a company with their heart on the beat of the things that make the genre so vital: realistic, frenetic, candid and well-observed – a resounding success.

imagine if’s You Forgot the Mince is a deeply moving and dynamic piece of cutting-edge theatre. Francesca Joy’s remarkably realistic performance as a fiery but also naïve student begins in her grandma’s’s home when a door-to-door salesman charms her with his spiel. This is Niko (Ashley Gerlach) who is a lovable rogue who hides his darker side (that includes petty crime and his mother’s crack cocaine habit) preferring to rely on his handsome good looks and fine masculine figure to win a chance with Rosa. Read more here…

Francesca Joy’s debut play, You Forgot the Mince, is a raw and compelling portrait of an intense, passionate and ultimately abusive relationship that spirals out of control with unexpected consequences. Drawn from personal accounts and interviews with victims and perpetrators, this gritty piece of new writing embarks on a UK Tour to theatres and prisons this autumn.

Rosa lives with her grandma Lily. She’s just finished college and can’t wait to leave Yorkshire and all the people in it … until she meets Niko. They fall head over heels in love and the future looks bright. But their love for each other is tested to the limit; Rosa leaves for London, Niko ends up in prison and Lily won’t stop baking cakes. Everyone’s world is falling apart but noone’s talking about it. How are they going to get their lives back on track? Read more here…

In today’s show, Ryan is joined by Leeds Children’s Mayor nominee, Erin Middleton and the cast of You Forgot The Mince by the imagine if theatre company. Listen here…