Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and the city’s REP theatre are joining forces to put mental health centre stage.
BEDLAM The Festival of Mad Ideas will demonstrate how the arts can play a role in reducing stigma around mental health and promoting recovery and wellbeing.
One in 12 residents of Birmingham and Solihull has been referred to the city’s specialist Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust in the past five years.
The BEDLAM Festival, which has been shaped by people who have experienced mental ill health, will feature a programme of drama, comedy, poetry, films, photography, discussions and workshops.
Steve Ball, Birmingham REP’s associate director, says of the BEDLAM Festival, “It’s well recognised that theatre and the arts can play an important part in promoting wellbeing, yet too few arts organisations actively seek to explore mental health through the arts or engage with people affected by mental ill health.
“The festival will seek to challenge this through an exciting programme of plays, discussions, workshops and events.”
One of the highlights will be Caroline Horton’s play Mess about anorexia which will be performed in The Door at the REP on Friday and Saturday (1 and 2 November).
Stan’s Café will present James Yarker’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, described as “perhaps the world’s most extraordinary self-help manual”, in the REP’s Studio from Thursday until Saturday, 7 to 9 November.
Further details about the festival are available at www.birmingham-rep.co.uk.