Documental Productions: Scaffolding – Full Show Recording
Published December 12, 2025
In July 2024, South West theatre company, Documental Productions was selected for the prestigious Edinburgh National Partnerships award by Bristol Old Vic and The Pleasance Theatre Trust. Before heading to EdFringe, they presented a sold-out work-in-progress performance of their show Scaffolding at Exeter Phoenix. Written by local award-winning writer and Exeter Phoenix associate, Lucy Bell, Scaffolding shines a light on caring and the wellsprings of hope and strength in small communities.
As part of their 2025 remount of the play, Documental have produced a full subtitled recording of their show at Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre, now available to watch on their YouTube channel.
Developed in association with Bristol Old Vic, Scaffolding follows Sheridan. She is having a bad day: her church is closing, Adult Social Care are on her case, and she can’t work out which ingredients she needs to make a bomb. With no one else to turn to, she climbs the scaffolding around a leaking steeple with a few questions for Whoever Is In Charge...
Developed in association with Bristol Old Vic, Scaffolding follows Sheridan. She is having a bad day: her church is closing, Adult Social Care are on her case, and she can’t work out which ingredients she needs to make a bomb. With no one else to turn to, she climbs the scaffolding around a leaking steeple with a few questions for Whoever Is In Charge...
About Documental
Led by Lucy Bell and producer Naomi Turner, Documental Productions is a Devon-based company producing bold, joyful New Writing (theatre, musicals, audio, film and original music) which centres the lived experience of learning disabled and less-head voices. Documental Productions recently won an honorary award for efforts in social film making for Unreachable, a film screened at Exeter Phoenix's Studio 74 in 2025.
In a 2024 interview for our Creative Hub, Lucy discussed what they enjoyed most about the creative scene in the South West. Lucy said 'I like the way most of us know each other and have really got each others' backs'. You can read the short interview here.
Credits
Creative & Production team:
Kerry Norton - Performer / Sheridan
Lucy Bell - Writer
Natalie Simone - Director
Katie Villa - Associate Director
Naomi Turner - Senior Producer
Susannah Bramwell - Engagement Producer
Ella Barraclough - Set & Costume Designer
Rachael Duthie - Lighting Designer / PM consultancy
Joseff Harris - Sound Designer / Composer
Karla Shacklock - Movement Director
Josh Lucas - Technical Stage Manager
With thanks to the original director, producer and performer Lillian Waddington, Jessamie Edkins-O'Brien and Suzanna Hamilton