CFC at the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
When theatre opens the conversation: CFC partners with The Son
Sometimes, creating greater understanding around mental health means stepping outside the counselling room – and into some rather unexpected places!
We were delighted that CFC was invited to play an important part in the production of The Son at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, directed by Jonathan Barker.
The connection came about through our relationship with Altrincham BID, who introduced CFC to Jonathan during the development of the production. What began as a conversation about the subject matter developed into an exciting opportunity for us to share our clinical knowledge and experience, helping to ensure that the language and references to mental health within the production were as accurate, sensitive and authentic as possible.
CFC counsellor and mental health worker Jim Sales worked directly with Jonathan and the production team, offering clinical guidance and insight around the mental health themes explored within the play. His involvement is a fantastic example of how the knowledge and experience within CFC can contribute to conversations about mental health far beyond our traditional services.
And it is a subject that matters enormously.
Written by acclaimed playwright Florian Zeller, The Son follows 17-year-old Nicolas, who is struggling following his parents’ separation. He becomes increasingly withdrawn, stops attending school and finds himself unable to cope with what is happening in his life. Moving in with his father and his new family is hoped to provide a fresh start, but things don't go as planned.
The play explores adolescent mental health, the complexities of family relationships and the difficulties that can arise when someone is struggling in ways that those around them may not fully understand. The production also includes discussions of self-harm and contains scenes that some audience members may find distressing.
For CFC, this is precisely why being involved was so important.
Our role in this production was not to tell the story – that belongs to the playwright, director and actors – but to help ensure that the mental health elements are handled responsibly and with the benefit of professional clinical insight.
And we were genuinely excited to see the finished production.
The Son forms part of the Garrick Studio's 2026/27 Season of Connection – Stories that bind us, break us, and bring us back together. It was an intense and thought-provoking piece of theatre that left many audience members thinking differently about what can happen beneath the surface when a young person is struggling.
We also provided CFC information and resources at the theatre throughout the run, giving audience members somewhere to turn if the themes of the play resonated with them.
The Son
Altrincham Garrick Studio
Written by Florian Zeller | Translated by Christopher Hampton | Directed by Jonathan Barker
