BEDLAM festival aims to reduce mental health stigma

The fifth BEDLAM Arts and Mental Health Festival to be held in Birmingham will feature a diverse programme including live theatre and dance performances.

The aim of BEDLAM is to “reduce stigma and encourage honest discussions around mental health”. It is presented by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust together with Birmingham REP, Midlands Arts Centre, Sampad South Asian Arts and Red Earth Collective and will run until Sunday 21 November.

Birmingham REP will host The Walls Between Us on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 November. Written by Farrah Chaudhry and produced by Sampad, it “brings to the stage researched, personal experiences of COVID-19, looking at issues of grief, mental health and how different generations find ways to connect”.

The REP will also present C J Lloyd Webley’s Forgotten Key Workers on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November. Produced by Lightpost Theatre Company and the REP, it “uncovers the hidden stories of people navigating their way through the pandemic”.