Creative Matters - Whats On January 2018

Celebrating and exploring men's mental health through creative activities

TICKETS: (01603) 63 00 00 theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

January's Creative Matters is presented in partnership with

BIGGER PICTURE

I HAD A BLACK DOG

Facilitated by Norwich & Central Norfolk Mind Pre-event film screenings

Presented By Small Nose Productions Thursday January 18th 7.30pm £10, £8.50 student concession

Amazing personal stories of journies through mental health challenges and recovery, told through short films, shown across the month.

Darkly comic and sensitive, Small Nose Productions present a moving and playful adaptation of Matthew Johnstone’s bestseller “I had a black dog, his name was depression”.

THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE PART 1

Boy meets girl and they fall in love. But the boy doesn't come alone! There is a third party in the form of a black dog who is always by Joe’s side, sometimes hiding in the corner, sometimes sleeping in their bed.

Can Joe tame the beast and keep the girl?

Hosted by MensCraft Friday January 12th 2pm Free event, ticket required

Age guidance 13+

Talks and demonstrations on theatre and enactment in local men’s wellbeing projects, exploring the relationship between masculinity and men’s mental health.

Speakers will include Dr Roger Kingerlee (Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust), Luke Woodley (Walnut Tree Project for war veterans) on men recovering from trauma, and Andy Wood (MensCraft) on using drama techniques in group work with men.

Saturday January 13th 10.30am – 2.30pm Free event, drop in any time.

An opportunity for families to explore emotions through theatre crafts and storytelling. Everyone attending will have the opportunity to make something to take away with them. Dads, uncles, grandfathers…. Bring along your little ones and join in the fun. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday January 24th 7.30pm Free event, ticket required

Dads, brothers, uncles, grandfathers….

Bring along your family to enjoy this entertaining film from Pixar.

Some of Norwich’s finest spoken word artists, poets, singer-songwriters sharing works about men’s mental health. Insight, conversation and thought-provoking performance.

Certification: U

To perform at Open Mic, email r.cooper-davies@ theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call (01603) 598 623.

Due to the sensitive nature of this subject matter we will need to see or hear the content before your performance space is confirmed.

Age guidance: 16+ Supported by Norwich Nightline, who will offer their student-run listening service during this event.

PART 2:

THEATRE CRAFTS AND TALES

OPEN MIC

Saturday January 20th 2.30pm Free event, ticket required

After young Riley is uprooted from the Midwest and moved to San Francisco, her emotions conflict on how best to navigate her new life. A funny, exciting and poignant adventure.

This will be followed by a practical demonstration led by Andy Wood and local actor/director Thomas Bailey, and a Q & A with all the presenters.

Theatre performance on January 25th by local men, exploring mental health through drama.

Recruitment in November and December.

To take part please contact Andy Wood by December 8th andy.andywood@gmail.com, 07584 253 441

INSIDE OUT (Film)

THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE PART 2 A BEAUTIFUL MIND (Film)

Wednesday January 17th 7pm Free event, ticket required The true story of mathematical genius John Nash, who has the ability to solve the most complex equations, but struggles with other problems. Finally diagnosed with schizophrenia, Nash battles to overcome his condition with the love of his loyal wife.

Russell Crowe gives a brilliant performance as the troubled Nash in this powerful drama.

Certification: 12

Co-facilitated by Andy Wood and Thomas Bailey Thursday January 25th 8pm Tickets £5 / £2.50 concessions The MensCraft Men’s Theatre Project will explore issues related to men’s mental health through drama.

From workshops, they will produce a piece of unique theatre. The actual topic and performance will be determined by the group.

Recruitment for the project will begin in November and December. First meeting on December 11th 2017 with rehearsals taking place on January 7th, 14th and 21st 2018.

To take part in this project contact Andy Wood by December 8th. andy.andywood@gmail.com, 07584 253 441

ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN STAGE TWO AT NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL

MEET KARL MINNS Friday January 26th 7.30pm £12

One third of the Nimmo Twins and a performer and writer for major TV shows (Have I Got News for You, Unspun). Karl will both entertain with some of his award-winning writing and songs but also share, in conversation with our Chief Executive Stephen Crocker, some of his experience as a man battling with anxiety.

FRANKENSTEIN Workshop and Open Rehearsal Wednesday January 31st, 7.30pm £5, £2.50 concessions

MoCo Theatre Company are currently developing an all-male production, based on Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein. Part installation, part performance, this immersive project will promote dialogue, engagement and understanding of mental health issues affecting young men.

This event will share their exploration of how to stage these issues. The creative team will use the conversations generated to help shape their full production.

Age guidance 18+ There will be an opportunity for a small number of the audience to participate in the accompanying workshop. To take part, contact Stage Two Reception once you have booked your ticket: stagetwo@theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or 01603 598600.

GECKO Physical Theatre Workshop

PORTRAITS Exhibition

By Kevin Parker Friday 12th – Wednesday 31st January Drop in during any of the Creative Matters events Kevin's works utilise mass produced materials, emulsions, bitumen, spraypaint, wallpapers, plaster, and tape. “I have been producing portraits of people I know or have met, people I have had conversations/relationships with and have photographed. I have come to realise that many of these people suffer some form of mental health issue. The materials employed aim to relate in some form to the things that are divulged in the exchanges we have.

The relationship of a real hinterland and a psychological one is not lost on me.” Kevin Parker

MOCO's first production, A Clockwork Orange opened at The Shoe Factory, with an all-male company of actors aged 18-25.

Monday January 29th 6 -9pm £30

Using an understanding of human emotional needs, this theatre based workshop creates a playful and safe environment in which participants explore the idea that we all have the same core emotional needs, which must be met to sustain healthy minds.

Participants should wear loose fitting clothing suitable for physical activity. The workshop will be in bare feet, but participants should bring trainers just in case, and plenty of water.

Participants must be 18+.

MOVING PICTURES Facilitated by Norwich & Central Norfolk Mind Pre-event animation screenings.

Animations by people with moderate mental health problems, funded by the Big Lottery's Awards for All scheme, promoting positive mental health, shown across the month.

MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind

12th Man : The Outsiders

Providing mental health support for anyone experiencing emotional distress, through rehabilitation, outreach support, counselling, training/ education, physical health and creative projects. Part of the ground-breaking national campaign to challenge mental health stigma.

A campaign that aims to help all men talk more openly about mental health, encouraging them to ‘Be the 12th Man’ for their families, friends, colleagues and people with whom we share our lives.

The 12th Man campaign enables men to support others who are struggling to cope or are finding life difficult, thus helping to reduce mental health stigma.

Our team offers training, coaching and support for men or organisations who wish to become a 12th Man in their community.

www.norwichmind.org.uk headoffice@norwichmind.org.uk 01603 432457

Norwich Nightline Student-run listening service for students of UEA and NUA, open every night during term time and the exam period 8pm-8am to be there for the student body when no one else is. No advice, just a confidential, non-judgemental place you can come to speak about anything that is on your mind.

If it is bothering you, it is worth talking about.

Drop in: Just turn up at our office in the Student Support Service* (enter via the rear door) opposite Waterstones.

01603 597158 or Text 07794 924366 (8pm – 8am) Skype norwichnightline listening@norwich.nightline.ac.uk Instant Message norwich.nightline.ac.uk

Menscraft MensCraft promotes positive masculinity and supports gender equality. We offer a range of programmes, activities and advice and information on a wide range of issues affecting men and boys. info@menscraft.org.uk www.menscraft.org.uk 47-51 Pitt Street, Anglia Square, Norwich NR3 1DE 07584 253441

Working in partnership to deliver the regional BFI Film Academy

“It’s a Strength not a Weakness”

In Norfolk, there are around 77 suicides each year – higher than the UK average – and 75% of all suicides are men. Norfolk County Council’s Public Health team has launched a campaign targeting males, in particular older men who are especially vulnerable.

During 2017 12th Man have trained a group of barbers in Norwich to help spot the signs of mental health problems among customers and how and where to point them if they need help. Look out for pop up barber sessions at Creative Matters. www.the-outsiders.org.uk

Men’s Shed Men’s Shed is a place for men to informally meet and work on all kinds of practical activities such as woodwork, metal work, computing etc .You can work on your own, teach others or learn a new skill. It’s a place to be yourself and relax.

Norwich 47-51 Pitt Street, Anglia Square, Norwich NR3 1DE www.norwichmensshed.org.uk 01603 627074 Poringland The Barn, behind The Dove, Bungay Road, Poringland, Norwich NR14 7NB Meet on Tuesday and Saturday 10:00-13:00 pdmensshed@gmail.com www.pdmensshed.org Henry Gowman 07906 701891 Watton Church Walk (just off Dereham Road), Watton, IP25 6ET. Meet on Mondays 10am to 2pm and Wednesdays 12am to 4pm Richard Adams, 01953 881004 waylandmensshed@gmail.com www.waylandmensshed.com Websites www.thecalmzone.net www.time-to-change.org.uk www.menshealthforum.org.uk/male-health

Sometimes you’ve got to read between the lines.

For information about suicide prevention, tools, resources and support available locally and nationally please visit

www.norfolk.gov.uk/iamokay

COMING SOON

To coincide with Dementia Awareness Week Creative Matters in May will explore caring for people with dementia. Activities will include: THE NATURE OF FORGETTING Norwich Playhouse, Wednesday May 9th Following a sell-out run at the 2017 London International Mime Festival, Latitude and the Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre Re presents a powerful, explosive and joyous piece about what is left when memory is gone. Tom is 55, today. As he dresses for his party, tangled threads of disappearing memories spark him into life, unravelling as a tale of friendship, love and guilt.

CHANGING THE HEARTBEAT Stage Two, Tuesday May 8th Physical theatre workshop with actor, director, mime and magician Guillaume Pigé. Using the themes of The Nature of Forgetting, participants will explore the ability to change and transform, how to follow an impulse and how to give thoughts and emotions a physical and theatrical form, structure and rhythm.

MEMORY, MUSIC AND MAGIC Stage Two, Wednesday May 9th A cup of tea, a presentation and an informal conversation for older people, and people living with dementia and their carers. Led by Theatre Re, this activity will explore the link between memory and music, and the unlocking of the magic moments in your life.

FILM EVENTS Including The Lady in the Van and Mr Holmes.

Creative Matters October 2018: Climate Change Creative Matters February 2019: Homelessness Creative Matters provides a platform and safe space in the heart of our city for people of all ages to explore and engage with key issues in our world today. I believe passionately in the power of creativity to bring communities of people together.

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive Norwich Theatre Royal