Rotherham Libraries are teaming up with Liverpool based theatre company, Ugly Bucket, to break the stigma on grief and loss by hosting their new play: Good Grief.
Many residents have faced a difficult time during COVID due to loneliness, isolation, and bereavement. Therefore, the two organisations wanted to create a programme to offer support for a difficult subject, building on the work already done through the Rotherham Together Programme, which helped to bring people closer together in a safe way.
The show is a paranormal physical performance based on loss and the memories left behind, and features a high energy maelstrom of clowning, movement, verbatim, and thumping techno tracks.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor Sheppard, said: “As the Rotherham Together Programme was effective in making connections with our residents, especially the over 55’s, we wanted to build something to solidify these relationships. With many people struggling due to the loss of a loved one during the pandemic, we hope that this programme will help those heal.”
Rotherham libraries will be screening their performance from January to March 2022 at various sites across the borough, after which, there will be an open discussion for the attendees to share their thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences.
Rotherham Libraries will be screening Good Grief on:
• Thursday 20th January at 13:30 – 15:30 in Mowbray
• Monday 31st January at 14:00 – 16:00 in Swinton
• Thursday 17th February at 13:00 – 15:00 in Maltby
• Tuesday 15th March at 10:00 – 12:00 in Riverside House
This performance is dedicated to a former lecturer and friend of the theatre company whose last wish was for Ugly Bucket to create a show about death. It centres around the cast coming to terms with death and includes personal accounts of bereavement.
Every story has been treated with love and respect and, in sharing these stories, Ugly Bucket and the voices featured in the show hope to spark healthy and open conversations about grief, to help audiences feel less isolated.
Rotherham Council’s Head of Creative Programming and Visitor Experience, Leanne Buchan, said: “Grief and bereavement is something that affects everyone at some part in their lives, so it is really important that everyone is encouraged to talk about their feelings and experiences. Good Grief is a fantastic show which highlights the tempest of emotions people feel after suffering a loss and provides a cathartic experience for everyone who sees it. We are so glad to be working with Ugly Bucket to bring this thought provoking, and at time hilarious, production to residents in Rotherham.”
Good Grief was created by the multi-award-winning Ugly Bucket theatre company and will be showing at the newly refurbished Rotherham Civic Theatre on Saturday 15 January. Ugly Bucket have won multiple awards for their moving performances, including Bost-Uni Plues and 2 Clowns 1 Cup.
You can book tickets to their show on Saturday 15 January, visit the Rotherham Civic Theatre website. To watch the screening of Good Grief in libraries, please phone the library to confirm your place:
• Mowbray Library - 01709 370038
• Swinton - 01709 254615
• Maltby - 01709 334772
• Riverside House - 01709 823606
If you require further support with grief, please call Listening Ear FREE Bereavement helpline on 0800 048 5224 or visit Rother Hive (https://rotherhive.co.uk/-).
Rotherham Libraries will also be hosting a two-hour Music and Memories session on Tuesday 22nd February. During the session you can request a song that reminds you of a loved one and share your thoughts or memories associated with it. The sessions will be held at:
• Mowbray Library - 10:00 - 12:00
• Riverside Library - 14:00 - 16:00
If you would like to attend a session and/or request a song, please email Ben at Ben@swansongproject.co.uk or call the library direct on 01709 370038 for Mowbray or 01709 823606 for Riverside House.