That’s The Thing about mental health...
THE festival offers a rare opportunity to see an innovative Birmingham group outside a closed setting, as Geese Theatre Company, pictured, work mainly in prisons. Their Staging Recovery ensemble, of people recovering from issues around mental health, substance abuse and prison, will perform Switched On, about addiction and the media, at the Rep on October 7. They are also staging Playing The Game at the Rep on October 9 and 10, which is based on the experiences of mothers in prison.
DRAWING is known to have a therapeutic effect, so if you’re feeling stressed, head to MAC for one of the workshops held by artist Jenna Naylor. She’s encouraging people to draw on the walls to create a menagerie of strange creatures, inspired by The Hills Are Shadows exhibition by Jim Holyoak and Matt Shane.
ROCKBOTTOM, at MAC on October 2, is a provocative and uplifting solo dance work from Stuart Waters about the strength of the human spirit to survive after hitting rock bottom.
MIRROR Image at the MAC on October 3 is a
Producer Sabra Khan says: “There is a particular stigma around mental health in South Asian communities. Some of their languages don’t even have a word for depression, but we need to find ways of talking about it.
“The play is about light and dark and also hope – it’s important to highlight recovery.”
Steve Ball, associate director of Birmingham Rep and festival co-director, says: “BEDLAM is a fantastic collaboration between arts organisations and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. It offers the chance to see high quality productions, along with opportunities to participate.
“It’s not just about chronic mental ill health, as so many of us will experience depression, anxiety and loneliness at some point. We know the arts can have a really positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, helping to overcome stigma, connecting communities and creating dialogue.” half-day symposium for cultural practitioners to explore their own mental health and learn techniques on how to improve it.
STEREOHYPE at MAC on October 11 features three of the Midlands’ most exciting young hip hop artists and rappers – Lady Sanity, Call Me Unique and Trademark Blud – who explore black experiences of mental health through music and beats.
BEDLAM Arts and Mental Health Festival runs from October 1-12. Prices start at £5 but some events are free. For more details see macbirmingham.co.uk or ring 0121 446 3232 and birmingham-rep. co.uk or ring 0121 236 4455.