Event
The Discover Recover Theatre Project by Wexford Mental Health Association presents A Face in the Crowd, a performance inspired by true life stories of mental health difficulties. The show will tour to The George Bernard Shaw Theatre at Visual Carlow, Enniscorthy Presentation Centre and Wexford Arts Centre in November 2017.
A Face in the Crowd will also come to the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin as part of the First Fortnight arts and mental health festival in January 2018.
‘The real human experience of mental health difficulties are all around us, but we often don’t see it. It is rarely spoken about and the details of the impact on individuals and families are rarely shared. This project through the sharing of sincere true life stories offers not only a rare glimpse into a hidden world, but also offers enlightenment and hope.’
The origins of this project stemmed from experimental drama workshops hosted by the Wexford Arts Centre as part of the HSE Occupational Therapy Programme for Mental Health. The Project Story Tellers, individuals with lived experience of mental health difficulties, contributed their stories to the production.
The model of the project is to invite participants to engage with the topic of mental health and suicide through the mediums of:
- Live drama performance
- Post-performance workshop facilitated by mental health professionals
- Project booklet
Initial performances took place in the Wexford Arts Centre between December 2015 and January 2016. In November 2016, a schools version toured secondary schools in Wexford County.
The Project Story Tellers participated in the original public performances in roles both on and off stage and remain on the steering committee, ensuring the project stays loyal to their original motivations for sharing their stories.
The project is led by Paula Lowney and Mairead Connaughton – occupational therapists from the Wexford/Waterford Mental Health Services – and Niall O’Muiri, a retired community psychiatric nurse, with the support of actor and director Jim Roche.
TOUR DATES
Thursday 16 November
Visual Carlow, The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
Schools Performance 2.30pm
Public Performance 8pm
www.visualcarlow.ie
Friday 17 November
Enniscorthy Presentation Centre
Schools Performances 11am, 2pm
Public Performance 8pm
www.presentationcentre.ie
Thursday 23 November
Wexford Arts Centre
Schools Performances 11am, 2pm
Public Performance 8pm
www.wexfordartscentre.ie
Friday 24 November
Wexford Arts Centre
Schools Performances 11am, 2pm
Public Performance 8pm
Thursday 4 January 2018
First Fortnight Festival
Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin
Public Performance 8pm
smockalley.com
For bookings for public performances please contact the venues directly.
For further information and schools bookings, please contact Paula Lowney:
087 2754752 | paula.lowney@hse.ie
The Discover Recover Theatre Project is a partnership between the HSE Mental Health Services, the Wexford and Carlow Mental Health Associations, ESB Funds for Generations and the National Lottery.
