Wake Up Sammy brings raw, honest recovery stories to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Later this month, a powerful new community theatre production will take to the stage in Stafford, offering audiences an unfiltered look at addiction, recovery, friendship, and resilience.

I was invited to attend a rehearsal of Wake Up Sammy, an upcoming production created by Cara Cox and performed by The Detox Factor, ahead of its public performances on January 29th and 30th at 7.30pm at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.

From the first scene, it is clear this is not a sanitised or surface-level portrayal. The production blends comedy with stark realism, creating moments of laughter alongside scenes that are guaranteed to leave many in the audience wiping away tears.

A story many will recognise

Wake Up Sammy follows one man’s journey through addiction and recovery, told through the people he meets, loves, and impacts along the way. During the rehearsal, several scenes stood out for their emotional weight. One in particular captures the overwhelming intensity of early recovery, as Sammy breaks down, sobbing uncontrollably under the sheer pressure of emotions that surface once substances are removed.

It is uncomfortable, honest, and deeply human. And that is precisely why it works.

The production offers genuine insight into detox and recovery programmes, not as abstract concepts, but as lived experiences. It reflects the highs, the setbacks, the friendships formed, and the moments of hope that often arrive unexpectedly. After all, everyone knows a Sammy, whether personally or indirectly.

Created and performed by lived experience

What makes this production especially impactful is the people behind it. The Detox Factor is a community creative hub made up of individuals in recovery, using music, theatre, and the arts to inspire others. Their work is rooted in lived experience, which gives the performance an authenticity that cannot be manufactured.

The group operates as part of Chase Recovery, a Staffordshire-based recovery community organisation supporting individuals and families affected by addiction across the county. Their ethos is simple but powerful: to inspire the addict who still suffers.

That mission runs through every scene of Wake Up Sammy.

More than a performance

The production balances heartbreak with humour, reminding the audience that recovery is not just about pain, but also about laughter, connection, and rediscovering identity. A recurring motif of a robin appears throughout the story, symbolising loved ones being near, a quiet but poignant thread that ties the narrative together.

This is theatre that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

Supporting local creativity

I was able to attend this rehearsal thanks to the continued support of partnered businesses who allow me to visit community events like this without needing to charge. That support makes it possible to highlight important local stories, grassroots creativity, and lived-experience projects across Staffordshire.

Performance details

• Production: Wake Up Sammy

• Dates: January 29th and 30th

• Time: 7.30pm

• Venue: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

• Tickets: £10

• Booking: https://www.gatehousetheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/wake-up-sammy/

For anyone looking for theatre that is honest, moving, and rooted in real lives, Wake Up Sammy is not one to miss.