We’re a caring and professional PR and Communications Consultancy.
Theatre-goers in the UK have one last chance to see an award-winning production about dementia this autumn. Finding Joy, by Vamos Theatre, the country’s leading full mask company, will visit venues in the UK in October and November, before the show continues to tour across the world in 2019.
Finding Joy was first performed in 2013 and has become the epitome of the company’s funny, fearless, wordless theatre, seen by more than 23,000 people at over 200 performances to date.
The tour will take in over 30 venues across the country including Ludlow Assembly Rooms on 27 October.
“Finding Joy can be summed up in two words: simply beautiful” What’s On Stage
Vamos Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rachael Savage sought out a real-life experience as her inspiration for Finding Joy when she was approached by The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford to co-create a show about dementia. Keen to find a story that went beyond the dementia diagnosis faced by over 850,000 people every year in the UK, Rachael found the true story of a young carer and his unconventional approach to looking after his grandmother.
Finding Joy tells the story of Joy, who is 83. She is funny, loves to dance, and is losing her memory. Her grandson Danny is rebellious, bright and always getting into trouble. When Danny decides to look after Joy, they discover a shared playfulness and mutual affection. But is that enough to take on the challenges ahead?
Marking the end of a two-year Strategic Touring Project funded by Arts Council England, the 32-date tour aims to increase dementia awareness through this powerful and unusual style of theatre. Part of Vamos Theatre’s mission is to encourage empathy and understanding through the power of full mask theatre, and it’s clear that the show has an enormous impact on audiences, who consistently express how the show has changed how they relate to people living with dementia: many people call it ‘life changing’.
With over 1 million people in the UK set to be diagnosed with dementia by 2025, Finding Joy approaches the subject with humour and humanity, and aims to welcome as many people as possible to performances: the tour will include dementia-friendly performances, and its wordless style makes the show fully accessible to d/Deaf audiences without the need of a signer.
Praised by press and public alike for its consummate full mask skills, engaging storytelling, physical dexterity and emotional insight, the company will continue to involve and engage audiences with Finding Joy internationally after 2018.
For full tour dates and to book tickets go to www.vamostheatre.co.uk