Wanted: Body for stage show

Members of 1157performancegroup during rehearsal

A theatre group is appealing for someone to donate a body to be used in a stage show.

The 1157performancegroup based in Maidenhead in Berkshire wants the body to be part of their latest show - Anaesthesia.

Matthew Scott, co-founder of the group, said: "We are looking for a real corpse for our performance - but no-one has come forward yet."

Embalmers, funeral homes and hospitals in the town have so far refused to donate a body.

I believe it's unnecessary from an acting point of view

G Hooper & Son, funeral directors

Mr Scott said: "We are attempting to address the fear and confusion surrounding death and dying.

"It's not a publicity stunt - one day we will all die - putting a corpse on stage is a way of exploring this."

He believes that using a body on stage is no different from what the Body Worlds exhibition in London is doing.

The exhibition displays real corpses and organs donated by volunteers.

'Tasteless and unnecessary'

The appeal for a body has been criticised as unnecessary and tasteless by local funeral directors.

A spokesman for G Hooper & Son funeral directors said: "We haven't been approached, but we wouldn't co-operate if we were.

"I believe it's unnecessary from an acting point of view.

"An actor should be able to suspend people's disbelief - there is no need for a real corpse in the performance.

"It's just sensationalism."

Local undertaker Karin Lewis said: "A corpse is not just a piece of meat.

"People would be staring at what was once a living person, with a life and feelings.

"The whole thing is very tasteless."

The 1157performancegroup are based at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts since 1996.