Its been a strange few weeks. We have been travelling around the country filming for International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31st) You can read more about the project on our Facebook Page, please do like the page and then you will be able to find out how to watch our film created in seven cities with artistic recovery communities as an act of remembrance and respect for those who have lost their lives to overdose. This film also brings communities together and reduces stigma. It has original music by New Note Orchestra and choreography that has been taught to us in a series of nationwide zoom workshops by Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
I am writing this after three weeks of travelling round the country with my intrepid colleagues Annie from Edit Sweet who is our film maker and Chris from We are Not Saints who is in charge of Press, PR and all things logistical including the very important job of pressing play for music for our performers in each city. As I am now self isolating alone at home, I have time to reflect on what an important experience it was spending a day each in Manchester, Chester, Plymouth, Bristol, London and Birmingham.
For many people this was the first time they had come together in person for over a year and we were met by kindness, warmth, focus and commitment everywhere we went. Thinking about, processing and creating art about overdose is a challenging undertaking especially when everyone involved has strong personal connection to the subject. Each day was a mix of strong emotions, beautiful performance, quiet reflection and silly, giddy laughter.
Its not an original thought that I am left with, however it is an important one about the importance of connection and contribution. As humans we are at our best when we come together and connect with a sense of purpose, where we can contribute to something larger than ourselves.
Thanks to everyone from Theatre Royal Plymouth, Bristol Drugs Project, Fallen Angels in Chester, TiPP and The Men’s Room in Manchester, Geese Theatre in Birmingham and Outside Edge in London. Also please wish us luck for our delayed (by track and trace) filming day in Brighton.
