Preview: A Brave Face at Hexham Queen’s Hall

A Brave Face

Hexham Queen’s Hall

Saturday 13^th April 2019

Award-winning Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is bringing its new production, A Brave Face, to Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham.

A Brave Face tells the story of Ryan, serving in Afghanistan in 2009. He’s there to see the world, learn a trade, get a life.  Training is complete, combat is a buzz; he’s part of a team, and knows his job. But on one particular hot and desperate tour of duty, Ryan sees things he can’t talk about, to anyone. And then, when he returns home, the trouble really begins.

For over two years, award-winning Vamos Theatre has collaborated with Veterans, serving personnel, military families and health professionals to create A Brave Face. The result is an honest and hugely compelling piece of theatre inspired by the hidden stories and personal journeys of those affected by and connected with Post Traumatic Stress. 

Sometimes raw, often funny, always compassionate, A Brave Face explores life in the military, the impact PTS can have on even the closest of families, and the slow but steady search for hope. 

Vamos Theatre is praised by press and public alike for its engaging storytelling, emotional insight and accessibility. The company continues to involve and engage audiences across borders and boundaries, taking on challenging themes with humour and humanity. 

Artistic Director Rachael Savage has been at the forefront of the research, which has seen her meeting not only Veterans, but their families, serving personnel, and organisations and professionals who support those living with PTS. 

Rachael comments, “We want A Brave Face to show honestly what PTS is and can mean to soldiers and to their families, who often find themselves on the frontline in coping with the condition: they deal with the trauma, as well as instability, social isolation, loneliness - often with no support. The input of those who have helped us make the show has been invaluable - at every stage their generosity continues to be extraordinary, particularly those for whom discussing PTS can be in itself traumatic.”

Consultants on the production include veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland, as well as organisations at the forefront of PTS support, such as Help for Heroes, Veterans First and the pioneering Recovery Centre, Chavasse VC House, many of whom are leading the way in instigating new approaches to healing psychological injury

The production is suitable for audiences aged 12 years up and accessible to hearing and deaf audiences alike.

Tickets:

A Brave Face will be at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on Saturday 13 April at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10.00, and £7.50 for students, and available from the Box Office 01434 652477 or online at www.queenshall.co.uk/events/brave-face.

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