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Join us at Birmingham Rep this November for a celebration of the arts, mental health and wellbeing.
Our showcases present a diverse range of live performance, accompanied by an exhibition at Birmingham Library. Whatever your age or background, there’s something for everyone. Arts & Mental Health Showcases | Thu 28th & Fri 29th November | Birmingham Rep, Tickets £6* | Captioned
*Tickets cost £6 from Birmingham Rep, plus a £3.50 transaction fee. Exhibition | Thu 28th November - Sat 25th January | Library of Birmingham, FREE entry |
Showcase Lineup
Meet the artists performing at our showcase evenings. Thu 28th & Fri 29th November 2024.
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Witness This by Company Chameleon turns the spotlight on mental health in a moving and emotional portrayal of how loved ones cope when mental health problems take hold of someone close.
THURSDAY SHOWCASE Powerful and deeply personal, the piece tells the story of choreographer, Kevin Edward Turner, following his journey and struggle with mental health and the impact it had on him and his loved ones. This must-see piece features a rich mix of dance and movement styles performed by four dancers. Athletic lifts, dynamic movements and moments of fragility and sensitivity combine to create a view of mental health which you simply won’t forget. Touching, sad, funny and absurd, this is relevant and up-to-the-minute dance theatre. |
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Positive Risk is a new play from Katie Hoare, based off people’s lived experiences and testimonies. THURSDAY SHOWCASE Elinor, 25, leads an average life, with a job, a cat and her own flat despite the demons she hides from the world. This funny, poignant and searing play follows her journey through her first psych ward admission, highlighting the challenges of the outdated British mental health system. Through humour and heartbreak, follow Elinor and her quest for support. |
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StereoHype Social with the Red Earth Collective will be bringing us performances of music, singing and spoken word.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY SHOWCASES Enjoy performances from spoken word artist Ash at our Thursday showcase, and singer Annette at our Friday showcase. StereoHype Social bring together new and emerging artists with lived experience of mental issues, from Global Majority communities. |
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LGBTQTeeHee! from the Rep is opportunity to learn comedy skills, build connection and feel like a superhero.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY SHOWCASES This innovative project is supported by professional comedians. Participants have developed their comedy personas, crafted material and turned lived experience into affirming and self-enhancing stand-up comedy routines, to feel like a superhero. They will each be presenting 5-minutes of brand new comedy material created specifically for BEDLAM Showcase across both evenings. "Through comedy, we hope to build mental health resilience, reduce stigma and encourage honest discussions around mental health in a fun and supportive environment. We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that we can make the world a little bit brighter, together!" |
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The Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group, led by artist Ash Mukherjee come together for a sharing of their work across 2024.
FRIDAY SHOWCASE The Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group and Sampad have continued their partnership this year, focusing on exploring identity and well-being. Working with Ash, this collaboration includes crafting a soundscape, embroidery, creating clay figures, and developing a Queermap. |
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Just Enough Madness by Payal Ramchandani is a captivating solo dance-theatre piece, in the evocative Indian style of Kuchipudi.
FRIDAY SHOWCASE Challenging societal boundaries of 'normal' by unravelling the complexities of motherhood, loss, and identity. As invisible demons of self-doubt knock on the doors of the mind, they confront larger societal forces. Accompanied by the haunting beauty of Carnatic music and the resonance of Western soundscapes, this performance transcends cultural boundaries. “Ramchandani’s hold on the subject is reflected in the ease with which she translates this extremely complex and layered psychological state into dance.” Resolution Reviewer |
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Crying Shame from Sweet Beef Theatre is a cabaret-show-cum-wellness-journey all about loneliness.
FRIDAY SHOWCASE Step inside Club Fragilé. In a dusty dreamscape you’ll encounter washed-up cabaret acts, filthy lip-syncs and a joyous celebration of queer culture, as these camp clowns try – and possibly fail – to connect with you (I know, how embarrassing). You might be lonely, but you're definitely not alone. “It’s bold, daring, inventive, funny, sad, thought provoking and deals with really tough issues like loneliness... A banger from start to finish. ” - Mark Gorman |
Exhibition
We invite you to the BEDLAM Exhibition to consider the role creativity can play in wellbeing. Running November 2024 - January 2025.
Throughout the year, each partner has been busy delivering impactful projects. The exhibition aims to showcase the work that participants have produced through the BEDLAM programme in communities across Birmingham, working with crafts, visual arts, dance, drama, photography and pottery.
Let's Dance by Sampad 2024. Photo by Irina Mackie
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LGBTQTeeHee at Birmingham LGBT Centre
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Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group Sharing with Sampad
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Who Cares? Ceramics workshop with BHCATS, Midlands Arts Centre, 2024. Photo by Will Pace.
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Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage
Sampad has produced three distinctive projects that highlight their commitment to cultural engagement and community well-being.
Let's Dance involves dance and movement sessions specifically designed for older people. To support this, Sampad provided training for local dancers, equipping them with the skills needed to lead these sessions. Groups of elders have already participated in sessions at locations such as Apna Ghar, Ghulab Ashram, and a ladies' group in Edgbaston.
In collaboration with Birmingham MIND, Sampad are also hosting a series of workshops focused on enhancing mental well-being, held at Birmingham MIND Hubs, with activities including lantern-making, poetry, collage and more.
Finally, Sampad is continuing its partnership with the Journey LGBT + Asylum group, focusing on exploring identity and well-being. This collaboration is led. by artist Ash Mukherjee and includes crafting a soundscape, embroidery, creating projections, and developing a Queermap.
Sampad has produced three distinctive projects that highlight their commitment to cultural engagement and community well-being.
Let's Dance involves dance and movement sessions specifically designed for older people. To support this, Sampad provided training for local dancers, equipping them with the skills needed to lead these sessions. Groups of elders have already participated in sessions at locations such as Apna Ghar, Ghulab Ashram, and a ladies' group in Edgbaston.
In collaboration with Birmingham MIND, Sampad are also hosting a series of workshops focused on enhancing mental well-being, held at Birmingham MIND Hubs, with activities including lantern-making, poetry, collage and more.
Finally, Sampad is continuing its partnership with the Journey LGBT + Asylum group, focusing on exploring identity and well-being. This collaboration is led. by artist Ash Mukherjee and includes crafting a soundscape, embroidery, creating projections, and developing a Queermap.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
LGBTQTeehee brings us together in the spirit of joy and laughter, developed by the Birmingham REP and supported by professional comedians. Participants have developed their comedy personas, crafted material and turned lived experience into affirming and self-enhancing stand-up comedy routines, to feel like a superhero. It's about celebrating community, resilience and connection, sharing our stories and supporting each other in a safe and welcoming space.
Midlands Arts Centre
From June to September 2024, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) collaborated with artist Kaye Winwood for Who Cares?, creating a project with the caregivers, primarily mothers, from Balsall Heath CATS, a group founded to support families with children with disabilities .Over four months, Kaye and invited experts provided a safe, creative environment to help these women integrate self-care into their daily routines. This offered them essential breaks from their demanding caregiving responsibilities, which are both non-stop and fulfilling. This exhibition will present some of their creative journey in objects, words and images.
Red Earth Collective
Red Earth Collective are working with a local artist to lead activities like drumming, singing, and storytelling. Guest artists, including choreographers and singing coaches, have been enriching sessions. Collaborative poetry sessions are integrating individual reflections into a collective piece, enhancing healing through artistic expression.
LGBTQTeehee brings us together in the spirit of joy and laughter, developed by the Birmingham REP and supported by professional comedians. Participants have developed their comedy personas, crafted material and turned lived experience into affirming and self-enhancing stand-up comedy routines, to feel like a superhero. It's about celebrating community, resilience and connection, sharing our stories and supporting each other in a safe and welcoming space.
Midlands Arts Centre
From June to September 2024, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) collaborated with artist Kaye Winwood for Who Cares?, creating a project with the caregivers, primarily mothers, from Balsall Heath CATS, a group founded to support families with children with disabilities .Over four months, Kaye and invited experts provided a safe, creative environment to help these women integrate self-care into their daily routines. This offered them essential breaks from their demanding caregiving responsibilities, which are both non-stop and fulfilling. This exhibition will present some of their creative journey in objects, words and images.
Red Earth Collective
Red Earth Collective are working with a local artist to lead activities like drumming, singing, and storytelling. Guest artists, including choreographers and singing coaches, have been enriching sessions. Collaborative poetry sessions are integrating individual reflections into a collective piece, enhancing healing through artistic expression.
BEDLAM 2024 is made possible thanks to the Inclusive Communities Fund. With thanks to the Heart of England Community Foundation, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), United by Legacy and the Commonwealth Games organisers.
