31 Dec 2025 Exploring Theatre Together: Recent Trips
We’re always grateful and excited by opportunities to watch theatre and live productions. Watching theatre shows can be a powerful benefit for our members, those with lived experience of homelessness and mental health distress, by creating access to opportunities that are often out of reach. Live theatre offers creative inspiration through new stories, voices, and perspectives, helping people reconnect with imagination and self-expression. For those who may not usually have access to cultural experiences, these moments can build confidence, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. Just as importantly, theatre provides space to laugh, relax, and share joy with others- supporting mental wellbeing through connection, hope, and enjoyment. Below you can hear more about the trips we’ve enjoyed this term.
After Sunday
Members watched the premier of ‘After Sunday’ at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, and WOW what a powerful, gripping and poignant performance it was!
‘I think it was on a different level, what a good night I’ll never forget’ – UL Member
‘Ty, Leroy and Daniel have signed up to a new Caribbean cooking group led by their Occupational Therapist, Naomi. Believing in the healing power of food, Naomi hopes to evoke memories of Sunday dinners at home with family, and to encourage the men to talk, share, and create something special together.
But when you’re locked in a secure hospital, too much food for thought can be a bad thing.
Over the weeks, all four embark on a challenging journey of self-discovery, where it’s not just the pans that threaten to boil over. As the hospital is transformed with the comforting smells and tastes of home, they must all face uncomfortable truths about the reality of who they are, and the things they’ve done that have led them to become trapped in the system.
This affecting debut play by Sophia Griffin examines the intertwining lives of these characters, as they grapple with the situation in which they find themselves, and the need to find hope for a better future.’
The Walking Man
The Walking Man by Chris O’Connell – Coventry Cathedral
‘The Walking Man is the world premiere of a new work written by Chris O’Connell, directed by Erica Whyman, performed by Clare Corbett and’ produced by award-winning Theatre Absolute. “Keep walking Gary, you’re nearly there. Just for now, forget waiting for the Walking Man. You do know he’s not coming back, don’t you? You know you have to go and find him all over again, right? That’s it, that’s the way of things.”
A story of despair and a search for hope, Coventry based award-winning Theatre Absolute premieres The Walking Man in the iconic Coventry Cathedral.’
Navigating Margaret
‘Based on real-life stories from people affected by dementia that we gathered from Arts Uplift’s successful Suitcase Stories project in partnership with Museums Worcestershire, Navigating Margaret, is an exciting theatre production about a Worcestershire woman’s journey living with dementia and how it affects her family. Margaret was one of the first women to fly an aeroplane in Worcestershire and we also look back at her life from the 60s to the present day (her childhood, growing up and meeting the love of her life Charlie a ground breaking inter-cultural relationship) as her story unfolds.
The play weaves text and movement with a fairy-tale feel to it mixing the real and abstract. Four diverse professional actors will help to tell the incredible stories and raise much needed awareness and education about dementia (1 in 14 adults over 65 years have dementia and 1 in 3 people born today will develop the disease).’
Sleeping Beauty
Members also enjoyed an extra special trip to the Belgrade Theatre’s pantomime dress rehearsal (oh yes we did!).
Coming to the dress rehearsal was good as it’s less busy. It’s good for my sensory issues as it’s not too crowded I have ADHD, autism and anxiety
Really enjoyable
Enjoyed everything
Loved the dancing the singing, the evil queen, Muddled!
Everyone had a great time – what a fun show to watch!
‘When Princess Belle pricks her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel she’s cursed to fall asleep for 100 years, unless she’s kissed by her one true love. Enter the dashing Prince (and his two rather calamitous sidekicks) who embark on a brave adventure to save the Princess from her terrible fate. But with the wicked Fairy Carabosse determined to ruin their plans, will our trusty trio be triumphant or is the Princess doomed to a century of snoozing?’
Tiger Who Came To Tea
Members enjoyed their first theatre trip to the Warwick Arts Centre in the Christmas holidays to see a family friendly show.
I likes the the tiger 🐅🐯 come to tea the show starting on time and the show full of surprise and dancing with the music on together and the atmosphere in the Warwick Art centre is pack of people to turn up for the show the children and their parents loves it in there – Billy
It was funny and entertaining for everyone. You could join in and move about if you wanted to. I enjoyed looking at the costumes and background of the family home. It made you feel cosy. – Jotie
‘Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem… expect to be surprised!’
