The Valley, by Joan MacLeod

A contemporary drama, The Valley follows a mother determined to help her son navigate a world that increasingly feels beyond his control.

Told through the intersecting perspectives of four characters brought together by an unforeseen incident, the play explores the complex and often volatile relationship between law enforcement and individuals living with mental illness. Connor, an imaginative eighteen-year-old aspiring writer, leaves home for university with the encouragement of his mother, Sharon. Their lives intersect with Dan Mulano, a well-meaning police officer and new father, and his wife Janie, who is struggling with post-partum mental health challenges.

With empathy and nuance, the play examines how good intentions, cultural assumptions, and human vulnerability can collide, revealing the fragile spaces between care, authority, and understanding.

“It’s freezing out and I have no idea how I got here.”
— Description provided by Durham Shoestring Performers