A THEATRE production aiming to encourage families to talk more openly about death and dying will premiere in Solihull in aid of the Marie Curie hospice.
Ahead of Dying Matters Week (May 13 to 19), a theatre company is aiming to raise awareness of bereavement from a child’s perspective in its newest production, Grandma On The Moon, to support the Marsh Lane hospice.
Dying Matters Week is organised by a coalition of NHS professionals, social workers and charity sector employees to urge people to make plans for the end of life.
The new show takes place at 2pm, Saturday May 11 at the Solihull School’s Bushell Hall on Warwick Road, before touring the UK. Grandma On The Moon is the latest production by Az2B Theatre Company.
The 50-minute show follows Timmy, 10, and Poppy, 5, played by adult actors, who have different grasps of what death is. Together the pair go on an adventure over magical lands to try and find their grandma – despite the fact she has recently died – as they have something important to tell her.
The company’s artistic director Belinda Lazenby said: “We’re very excited about Grandma On The Moon, and are very proud that our premiere is supporting the Marie Curie hospice in Solihull which does fantastic work supporting children who are experiencing different stages of bereavement.
“We hope Grandma On The Moon will encourage everyone to have open, honest conversations around death and dying and also recognise that children grieve differently to adults.”
Senior counsellor at the Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull, Ann Scanlon, said: “I work with families that are going through grief and bereavement and really recognise a lot of the lessons within Grandma On The Moon.
“Hopefully the production will help lots of families throughout our local community. Whether you have personal experience of grief and bereavement or not, both adults and children could learn a lot from seeing Grandma On The Moon.”
All proceeds from the show will go to the Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull on Marsh Lane, which helps provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families, including children affected by grief and bereavement.
Individual tickets are £3 and family tickets are £10, available by speaking to the Family Support Team at the Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull by phoning 0121 703 3600.
People interested in buying tickets can either collect them from the hospice, or phone the hospice to reserve tickets and pay on the day. Refreshments will also be served.
