Altered - Parafield Gardens High School Production - Review

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Thu 14 Aug 2014 - Fri 15 Aug 2014

Parafield Gardens High School presents: The Year 12 Production of Altered written and directed by Colleen Mac-Demoulin. The play, dedicated to Jade and Robin Williams, was written in 2004 originally as a duologue after Colleen witnessed several unrelated cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Parafield Gardens High School wants to help create awareness to this disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder is thought to be an effect of severe trauma during early childhood from repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. A person living with DID may have as few as two alternative identities or as many as 100. These identities take turns controlling a person's behaviour.

Altered is the story of twin sisters Jess (Eden Harrison, Suzannah Papas) and Tina (Christine James, Paige Jeffreys) who wander down to the dam, away from the family barbecue. They could never have predicted the tragic events to follow.

The girls' home life is hard, their mum's partner Pete (Caleb Ward) has a drinking problem and when he drinks he becomes violent. In order to avoid Pete the twins head down to the dam but one of the sisters Tina end up in the dam, she begins to drown and Jess tries her hardest to save her, but isn't able to. She makes herself forget what happened that day.

When Jess starts acting out and her mother convinces her to see a psychologist doctor (Rachel Griffths) that's when we discover Jess has DID, she has three personalities Demelza (Brooke Dunlop), Suzy (Jaqueline Phan) and Jacky (Paige Riding). Each one is different, Demelza is a mature woman who likes to have adult fun, Suzy is a young girl who loves the colour yellow and jelly beans and Jacky cant speak, she just holds her finger in front of her lips and says 'shhh'.

The Doctor helps Jess remember what happened to Tina, even though her other personalities don't want her to. By doing this her alternative personalities leave her body and Jess is able to move on.

Year 12 students at Parafield Gardens High School did a remarkable job portraying this difficult disorder. Colleen Mac said "It is important to be educated about such disorders despite how uncomfortable it may make us feel. Only when we have some understanding can we begin to be proactive."

One third of the proceeds raised from the production went to Beyond Blue . Beyond Blue is working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding.

People wanting to make a donate to Beyond Blue can go to https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ or phone (03) 9810 6100

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!date 14/08/2014 -- 15/08/2014
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