Finding Joy Returns to The Courtyard

We are delighted to be welcoming back Finding Joy to The Courtyard Main stage this September.

In 2010, Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask company, performed Nursing Lives at The Courtyard. After the show, Martyn Green, CEO of The Courtyard at the time, casually mentioned that he would like to work in collaboration with us – on a show about dementia. Of course, we said ‘yes’, but came away feeling more than a little daunted by the subject matter.

We base all our work on true stories, and after months of research we were struggling to find stories that weren’t simply depressing. Dementia isn’t a joyful subject, we know it’s not. But with Finding Joy we wanted to celebrate a life, not dwell on losing a person, but finding them – and finding joy and happiness with them – especially when words no longer have meaning.

Eventually Rachael Savage, our Artistic Director, found the real life story of an 18 year old boy who looked after his grandmother as she made her way through middle and late stage dementia.

Danny was at a loose end.  With no career path beckoning, he saw his mum struggling to support his grandmother and knew he could be useful. For the next two years he applied his unorthodox methods to the task.  Together they played games, went out with the lads, watched football. He was a natural carer and looked after her with an inspiring freshness, always with total respect for her changing reality.

Finding Joy has become Vamos’s most successful show, and we’re proud to say it was created with The Courtyard.

The funny, fearless international sell-out mask production from the UK’s leading full mask company. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll find joy!

Joy is 83 today: she’s feisty, 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 growing love. But is that enough to face the challenges ahead?

Approaching the subject of dementia with humour and humanity, award-winning Finding Joy has performed to audiences across Europe and the UK, including a successful run at Assembly for Edinburgh Fringe 2016. Praised by press and public alike for its consummate full mask skills, engaging storytelling, physical dexterity and emotional insight, the company continues to involve and engage audiences across borders and boundaries with its wordless theatre.

Showing on Friday 15 September 7.30pm click here for tickets.

Suitable for 12 years and upwards, Finding Joy is accessible to hearing and D/deaf audiences alike.

Sponsors: Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council.
Made in association with The Hereford Courtyard and JABADAO.