Is Trying Enough?



by Melissa Hale

Created by Broken Glass Productions



Sometimes, what is broken becomes better than it was before…



Financial hardship, loss, guilt and a dysfunctional family are stuck in a council flat. Is trying really enough?


Lou, Tommy and Jay are living on the breadline just trying to get by, but then they face their worst nightmare.


IS TRYING ENOUGH? explores a reality where there is no other option but for three siblings to live in poverty.






This show was presented as part of SIX PLAYS ONE DAY at the Tristan Bates Theatre on 8th February 2020.



Author's note.





“Is Trying Enough? has been written with the hope of highlighting what the majority of British people are experiencing in today’s society.

The play was written five years ago and the issues we faced then remain the same.

We keep hearing talk on things improving but the statistics are telling a different story. The majority of British people are living in a system where: poverty rates rising, there are more Food banks than McDonald’s, reoffending rates are higher than ever and our benefit system is not working.

These 3 characters are trying their best to survive in a system which is broken.





Production History





SONGS OF INNOCENCE was first presented on Monday 8th July as part of the 2019 Greater Manchester Fringe Festival with the following cast and creatives:


Created by BROKEN GLASS PRODUCTIONS


MEGAN RYDER-MAKI as Lou

GEORGE BARRS as Tommy

CAMERON DOBSON as Jay


Written and Directed by MELISSA HALE



The show was then presented as part of LIPA's Freshers Week on 20th & 21st September 2019.



IS TRYING ENOUGH? was then presented as part of SIX PLAYS ONE DAY at the Tristan Bates Theatre on 8th February 2020.




"The story has some great authenticity and the script is well written... I could certainly see this as a longer mainstream play."



- NORTH WEST END



PRODUCTION PHOTOS - BY MARTIN SMITH (ORIGIN 8 PHOTOGRAPHY)






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