Finding Joy

Well hello there! Long time no speaky.

So we've had an interesting week. We love the theatre and after a barren period, we saw 4 shows this week!

On Wednesday we met up with Lucy's family and drove down to Ombersley in Worcestershire to watch Vamos Theatre's latest production, Finding Joy.

We first saw Vamos two years ago with Nursing Lives, then again with Much Ado About Wenlock. 


They are a fantastic company who design brilliantly expressive and characterful masks to represent each character they play. In a cast of 4 there could be 20 characters as they switch round roles dependent on the combination of characters and scenes. This means they have to portray the character through recognisable physicality, as there are no words spoken at all! This could be a cameo of the patronising doctor, only seen once but instantly familiar - or the recurring character of the mother rushed off her feet worried about her ageing mum and tearaway son.

The story focused on Danny, a teenage boy who is usually found hanging out with his pants-showing-mates, and how he finds his vocation caring for his Nan who is suffering from dementia. The play shows how her memories are of her youth, playing with her dog, or when she first met her husband as a young seamstress. The actresses playing young and old Joy, mirroring each other's movement as we drift in and out of her perceptions of what's happening around her.

We love this company because of the skill they show in representing these characters with such warmth and humour through their physicality. These actors truly are masters of their craft. Each character is rich even if they are in the play for less than 30 seconds. They devise pieces that are relevant, moving and entertaining, so we will defiantly see the next show they do! They tour the country so do try and catch them if you can!

The venue was a village hall - suitable for the occasion even if they people behind us had to stand up to see - and we were treated to complimentary canapes on arrival!