AWARD-WINNING Worcester company Vamos Theatre has revealed a unique collaboration with palliative care patients and staff on a new, wordless production about living and dying.
The UK’s leading full mask theatre company will tour its new production, Dead Good, across the UK in early 2020, previewing at the Swan Theatre on January 23 and 24 before its official UK premiere at Jackson’s Lane in London as part of London International Mime Festival at the end of that month.
The tour will include 23 venues, travelling as far north as Inverness, south to Canterbury and across the UK from Norwich to Taunton, taking in venues large and small.
Funny and poignant in equal measure, Dead Good brings together some of the UK’s leading mask actors to tell the story of Bob and Bernard, who have only two things in common – they’re both dying, and they’re not going down without a fight. So, with a bottle of Bollinger and the keys to Bernard’s Bentley in hand, they decide to hit the road, and take on one final, death-defying adventure.
Vamos Theatre has gained a strong reputation over its 13-year history for its ground-breaking and thought-provoking work, and its willingness to tackle ‘difficult’ issues.
Dead Good is no exception, asking questions about end of life, living well and dying well. The show is an exploration of death but, most importantly, a celebration of life – and an opportunity to get people talking and thinking about the ultimate shared experience.
Audiences who want to ask questions, or who would like practical or emotional advice and support after the show, will be able to chat with charities at most venues, including Marie Curie and End of Life Doulas via Living Well, Dying Well.
Maggie Keeble, GP and chair of the Worcestershire Palliative and End of Life Care Network, said: “I am so pleased Vamos Theatre has embraced the issues relating to death and dying in such a positive way.
“All too often as a GP I see the negative impact on people and their families of not talking about death and not accepting that life is coming to an end. As a death denying society we need the arts including theatre and literature to give people insight into the many benefits of accepting the inevitable and celebrating and enjoying every moment of the life left to live.”
Dead Good is a co-production with Corn Exchange Newbury and a co-commission with London International Mime Festival, made with support from The Leche Trust and Worcestershire County Council. It is suitable for audiences 12 years and upwards.
Visit www.vamostheatre.co.uk/shows for more.
