Migration and mental health get dramatic treatment
Research on the relationship between migration and mental illness will be given the dramatic treatment this summer, with the aim of making the findings of the research more accessible to the public.
Warwick's Centre for the History of Medicine has teamed up with University College Dublin and Coventry based theatre company Talking Birds
to create a new theatre production, entitled ‘A Malady of Migration’.
It will be performed at The ShopFront Theatre in Coventry from 26-28 June 2014, moving to Dublin from 3-5 July 2014.
Professor Hilary Marland, based in the Department of History at Warwick, explained:
This is a chance to showcase our research in a way that is interesting, informative and sensitive, weaving in stories based on patients’ case histories and experiences. The aim is to make the findings of the research available to wider publics and stimulate thinking and debate about mental illness in the past and present.
The performance, based on an insightful and compassionate interpretation of the historical material, reveals both change and continuity in how we view mental illness, its causes and in particular its relationship to displacement, migration, isolation and poverty.
There will be an expert panel discussion after the Thursday evening performances in each venue and a post-performance discussion on Saturday lunchtime, providing opportunities for audience members to discuss the making of the piece with researchers and the theatre company, and to engage in debate on issues raised by the performance.
Performance dates:
ShopFront Theatre, City Arcade, Coventry: Thursday 26th, Friday 27th, Saturday 28th June 2014, 1pm & 7pm Tickets: evening £8 (£4 conc); lunchtime £6 (£3 conc) Box Office: 0845 680 1926 talkingbirds.co.uk
The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin: Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th, Saturday 5th July 2014, 1pm & 7.30pm. Tickets: evening €10 (5 conc) evenings; lunchtime €8 (€4) Box Office: 01 670 3361 thenewtheatre.com
Running time: 55 minutes approx. Please be advised that this production contains references to mental health issues and historical practices which may be considered sensitive. Age guidance: 12 +
Selected performances will be captioned (subtitled) to mobile devices via Talking Birds’ Difference Engine access tool: to use this service email de@talkingbirds.co.uk in advance.