Inspiring theatre stories from the front
STORIES From The Front takes us on a journey of discovery through the crisis and challenge of mental health to a place of real discovery and peace. It is a journey we all take in one form or another, but for some, that journey is an intense voyage of discovery.
Stories from the Front is a performance that tells a powerful story of the day to day struggle of living with a mental health condition and working with our mental health services. The production will be staged in Castlebar next week.
Based within the 'oral history' tradition and written and directed by Pat Kenny (HSE National eLearning Manager), Stories From The Front tells of the past so that a new future might be imagined. It is the result of an intense collaboration between health professionals, service users, family members and carers.
The project commenced in January 2013 with a group of service users, family members and carers and mental health professionals. Through the recounting of personal life stories, shared by all, a series of themes emerged upon which Stories From The Front is now based.
In a powerful performance, the cast shares their experience of the journey toward recovery and self discovery. It is a journey from which we might all learn, as the challenges they face are common to all people.
The theatre production has already been presented to a general audience to great acclaim and to full houses in Castleblaney, Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin and Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin.
World Mental Health Day will be celebrated this Saturday and the theme this year is Dignity in Mental Health.
To mark the event, Stories From The Front, a HSE production, is being presented at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, in association with the Mayo Mental Health Consumer Panel at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.
Admission is €5 and tickets are available locally at Mayo Recovery College at GMIT Castlebar, at the Royal Theatre, Cairde Clubhouse, Castlebar, Dolmen Clubhouse, Ballina, or they can be purchased at the door on the night.