City life stories staged in living room theatres

The 11 dramas included a story about a real-life beekeeper

A group of residents have volunteered to have theatre shows about their lives performed in their own living rooms.

Eleven households invited producers and actors into their homes in Southampton as part of a free arts project.

The kitchen sink dramas featured stories including a woman's love of the River Itchen and university students battling a lettings agency.

Audience numbers ranged from 26 to just two people in a small flat.

Project leader Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE has previously staged his Home Theatre events in Rio de Janeiro, London, Pretoria and Dublin.

The theatre and film director said: "It's taking the temperature of the city.

"We developed it into making each house a 20-minute gift.

"And the best gifts are what you think you want, but there's a bit of a surprise to it."

Film and theatre director Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE led the project

Project producer Annie Sanger-Davies, from Southampton Solent University, helped to interview the chosen households to gather material a week before the shows were performed.

She said: "Having somebody sit with you and listen to your concerns... is an incredibly vulnerable but empowering experience.

"Everyone loved being in Southampton and had a real sense of belonging."

The students said they enjoyed their "positive" and "fascinating" story, in which they defeated a figurative monster in their kitchen that was preparing to eat them.

Beekeeper Helen Ransome also praised her drama, which featured a mock game show called The Germination Game.

The project was paid for through consolation funding which arose from Southampton's failed bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.

Arts charity Southampton Forward said the aim was to promote theatre, develop a network of local artists and build a strong community in the city.