Killing Roger was one of the most critically acclaimed theatrical productions at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The fact that it tackles the ethically difficult and emotive issue of assisted dying could have proved a turn-off to audiences.

But the Sparkle and Dark Theatre Company’s bold and innovative approach to the topic has clearly paid off.

Using life-size puppetry and a questioning rather lecturing tone, with touches of poignant humour and original live music, the production has won both audience approval and an Arts Award from the Wellcome Trust.

On Saturday, June 14, the play is calling in on the Square Chapel in Halifax as part of a national tour.

‘Killing Roger’ is based on author Lawrence Illsley’s own experiences of facing mortality when diagnosed with cancer at the age of 20 and his mother’s work as a carer of the elderly.

It tells the tale of Roger and Billy, two unlikely friends at the opposite ends of their lives.

The play examines the plight of the aged and lonely who feel they have nothing to live for and no quality of life. But it also looks at the repercussions for those who have helped someone to die.

Illsley says he was reading Iris Murdoch, Nietzsche and “a lot of moral philosophy” when he came up with the plot.

“A question formed itself,” he says. “Could you kill someone? Most people would say ‘no’, but what if someone was asking you to do that? Then the morality turns on its head because you aren’t destroying anything, you are giving someone something they’re asking for.”

Sparkle and Dark’s puppets are created by arts graduates Shelley Knowles-Dixon and Anna Shuttleworth.

With Roger they researched how someone with chronic emphysema would breathe, such is their attention to detail.

The puppeteers are Nicholas Halliwell and Louisa Ashton, while actor Graham Dron plays Billy.

Tickets for the show are £10 and £12 from www.squarechapel.co.uk or 01422 349422.

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