It can be difficult for those facing grief and loss to acknowledge those feelings, but we must give space to the emotions. This is why personal journeys of loss and grief are explored in Norwich Theatre’s new Creative Matters season. Which goes on sale today via norwichtheatre.org.
It comes in the wake of last autumn’s impactful Loss and Grief season, which utilised Norwich Theatre’s Digital Stage to host talks, readings and theatre remotely. We are delighted to now be able to run the season in person across all three Norwich Theatre venues: Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Theatre Playhouse and Norwich Theatre Stage Two.
Creative Matters – Loss and Grief will feature a mix of performances, film and workshops, to stimulate discussion and make connections through creativity.
Who the Who, who by MOCO Theatre Company, on Tuesday 8 March at Norwich Theatre Stage Two is a one-woman show exploring what happens when you are no longer a daughter. Who are you? And will the pieces of the ‘life-jigsaw’ ever fit in the same way again? This is a safe, immersive performance where the lines between performer and audience, and performance and life, are blurred.
Written and performed by Olivier Award nominee Caroline Horton, All of Me is a show about depression and death. It is an intimate and often absurd exploration of wanting to live, wanting to die and what can happen if we sit together in the dark. All of Me is a grudgingly hopeful, occasionally funny, unapologetically dark show about dark things. The event is taking place on 10 March, at 7.30pm at Norwich Theatre Playhouse.
On 3 March, there is an interactive performance by Norfolk based Su Squire about life, love and funerals. The End of the Road Show is a heartfelt piece of theatre that blends storytelling, poetry and music to make you laugh and think about how to talk about death with your loved ones in a positive and meaningful way. It is an informative and empowering look at end-of-life planning told with warmth, wit and humanity.
Other events include on 15 March, a free and sensitive workshop for those who have experienced the loss of a baby through stillbirth or neonatal death. The Memory Making Workshop: The Bunting Project with the bereavement support team from Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, allows attendees to share memories of their baby whilst creating a keepsake memento.
Join us in Cafe Royal for an afternoon of tea, cake and informal conversation about death as Norwich Theatre host a Death Café a worldwide movement. It is for anyone who considers themselves mortal and who enjoys drinking tea and eating cake!
One of the key aims of the season for audiences and participants start the conversation about loss and grief, whether this is through watching a performance and listening to people’s experiences, or to take part in a discussion about your own experiences. Sam Patel, Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre said:
“Grief and loss have been woven through the last few years, meeting some of us head-on with the loss of loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this may not have touched all of us in the same way, bereavement is something we will all have to face. This is why this Creative Matters season seeks to provide a safe and inclusive space to explore our own personal responses to loss and grief.”
Anne Beckett-Allen from Rosedale Funeral Home said:
“We are proud to be supporting this Creative Matters season on Loss and Grief. There is such a wide variety of events on offer that we hope that we can reach a greater number of people to support them on their journey.”
Booking opens today for the Creative Matters: Loss and Grief season. Call the Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630000 or visit norwichtheatre.org
