Earlier this month, we hosted Christina Eskridge and Melanie Cohn, two prominent US artists in health and care, for a creative exchange. The differences and intersections between our work has been fascinating, and here, Christina and Mel give us insight into their experience. Thank you both!
Nurturing confidence, creativity, and community
Bridgerton actor and Vamos Theatre Elevate alumni, Jude Powell, reflects on Elevate’s impact on his career so far.
We love John Plant!
Huge love and thanks to our long-term friend and Board member, John Plant, who is leaving us for a new adventure in the Scottish Highlands. We asked him what his highlights were – and here’s the answer!
Celebrating Sarah
With the appointment of Sarah Hawkins as our new Executive Producer, Artistic Director Rachael Savage tells the story of Sarah's twenty year journey with us, from being part of Vamos Young People's Theatre in 2006.
Inspiring connections in NYC
Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, reports back on a week of meeting inspiring people and making positive arts in health connections at NOAHCON25 conference, New York.
A shining example of what is possible
Poppy King, one of our Elevate 2025 participants, tells us about her experience taking part in our four day residency for early career artists, combining mask, physical theatre, BSL and Visual Vernacular.
A wonderful day to start
Worcester University student, Jasmine Skidmore, who’s joined us on work placement with our learning disabilities group Vamos Central, tells us about her first day of mischief and fun.
Collaborating with Hijinx
Vamos Theatre recently joined up with Hijink Theatre for a 5-day residency in Cardiff. Our Creative Engagement Coordinator, Aadil Din, tells us more…
The Vamos Emerging Artists Experience
Wondering what it's like to take part in the Vamos Emerging Artists programme? Thinking of applying? 2024 Emerging Artist, Ines Aresti, gives us a guide to what it's like, from the taster workshop to the final residency. Thanks Ines!
Brilliant, bonkers fun!
This year's Vamos Emerging Artists Programme brought together a wonderful bunch of early-career artists to explore and play together. Participant Gracie Avery, from North Devon, describes her journey of discovery taking part in the programme.
Setting alight creativity and ambition
Creative Producer, Honor Hoskins, reflects on an intense, immersive, joyous and rejuvenating residency with this year’s wonderful Vamos Emerging Artists.
The smell of the theatre
We have recently welcomed Tamara Shumarina from Kherson Puppet Theatre Ukraine on a cultural exchange supported by The British Council. In her blog, Tamara shares her experiences of the rehearsal room and the UK so far.
The next time I see Tamara - an update about Ukraine
This time last year, Vamos Theatre's supporters helped raise funds for the people of Kherson, Ukraine, including friends and colleagues at Kherson Puppet Theatre. In an update, Artistic Director Rachael Savage tells us the latest news from the city.
Come and train with us in France
There's no place on earth like the city of Perigueux, France, during MIMOS, the annual international mime festival. Our Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, will be there and invites you to join her for a very special Masterclass.
It’s all about Listening with your Eyes
We're relaunching our highly-popular training for carers, Listening with your Eyes, which explores how we communicate without words; with our eyes, our bodies, posture, gesture and touch. Rachael Savage, the workshop's creator, tells us about its huge benefits to carers and the people they care for, especially those living with dementia
Rachael’s latest news from Kherson
We're doing one final push to raise as much money as we can to support friends and colleagues in Kherson, Ukraine. Read the latest updates from Rachael and please donate if you can.
An update from Rachael on Ukraine appeal
Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, gives on update on her crowdfunder campaign raising money to support the people of Kherson, Ukraine.
Help our Artistic Director raise money for Ukraine
Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, has friends close to her heart in Kherson, since working and touring there. She's launched a Crowdfunder campaign to help people in the city access food, clothes and medicine.
Latest news from Tim
We're delighted to share the latest from Tim Strugnell, an audience member living with a terminal cancer diagnosis who joined the cast for the last night of Dead Good earlier in the year.
Thank you MIMOS!
Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, comes back from the Perigueux International Mime Festival filled with creativity and inspiration – and shares some of the highlights of this fabulous festival.
Making the most of life
Thanks to Zoe Harris, founder and CEO of the not-for-profit social enterprise Mycarematters, for this inspiring guest blog about her mission and the My Future Care Buddy Service.
Does full mask theatre work on film?
With the online premiere of Dead Good coming up, Artistic Director Rachael Savage muses about filming mask theatre. Should we bother? Is it worth it? Does mask work on film? Read on...
A joy of creative exploration
With our first Emerging Artist programme coming to a grand finale last week, participant Jessica Melia explores the importance of nurturing artists, whatever their age.
Volunteering with Vamos
We are so pleased to have Louise Gipson with us as Vamos Central's Volunteer Assistant. Her blog tells us why she decided to join us...
Real life adventures
During a recent Q&A discussion (part of our production, Dead Good) one of our audience members - Tim Strugnell - said that he was living with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and that it was on his bucket list to perform with us. Two weeks later, with Tim onside, we made it happen.
Life is a gift
Dave Fisher is a celebrant, whose role is to officiate at a funeral or celebration of life. In this guest blog, Dave reviews our show about end of life, Dead Good, from his own particular perspective.
A Dead Good experience
Have you seen Dead Good? Get to know cast member, Radhika Aggarwal, as she discusses touring her first full mask theatre show.
It’s been Dead Good
That period between university and a career can be a tricky one for young theatre professionals. Assistant Producer, Tisa Klicek, tells us about her experience working with Vamos Theatre on our latest production, Dead Good.
An explosion of fun through 3 millimetres of safety glass
Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, describes our recent Covid-safe care home show, Love Through Double Glazing, as one of the most important we've ever made. Why? Rachael explains all in her latest blog.
Stealing the show - and the biscuits
It's been a roller-coaster year for emerging artist, Norah Savage, culminating in a show-stealing performance in our care home show, Love Through Double Glazing - not bad for a Bichon Frise. Here she tells us how she's coped with the adulation, and plans for the future.
What could possibly go wrong?
Create a new Walkabout performance entirely over Zoom with actors on the other side of the world? No problem, we said! After a hectic three months, director Rachael Savage tells us about the ups and downs of international digital collaboration.
Bridging cultural differences
Our recent performances in Beijing would not have been the same without our wonderful translator, Ding Ding, who helped bridge the inevitable language and cultural differences. Find out what the process was like for her in this guest blog.
Doing what I want to do
With our performances in Beijing coming up fast, it's the turn of actor Yang Zhang to tell us what it's been like to learn full mask theatre.
Feeling free
We're loving working with Chinese performers for our new Walkabout act in Beijing. Using full mask has been a new experience for them, so what's it been like? Here are Xiaoxu Liu's answers.
Managing - to survive and thrive
We're so looking forward to getting back to care homes in May - meanwhile we wanted to highlight the caring approach of care sector professionals during the pandemic. Mark Topps, is one - and in this guest blog he tells us about supporting staff and promoting a culture of positivity and motivation.
Wave, smile and talk to each other
Roy Sager has been one of the most avid supporters of The Wednesday Wave campaign, since finding out about it at his dementia meet, Buddies. In this guest blog, created in conversation with our Health Coordinator Hazel, he tells us about his involvement.
Having a riot
Pilot performances of our new show for care homes, Love Through Double Glazing, have proved, well, riotous! Artistic DIrector, Rachael Savage, tells us why this cheeky, joyful show could be just what residents and staff need.
Friends and neighbours
The Wednesday Wave was inspired by Hazel, a care home resident in Worcester. In this guest blog, Hazel’s daughter Shellie, tells us how Covid has affected her connection with her mum, and why waving, wherever you are, is so crucially important as we return to lockdown.
Introducing Love Through Double Glazing
We've recently started some very early explorations for a new show, performed outside with audience inside and watched through windows. Stanfield Care Home was kind (and brave!) enough to host our first try-out. Nursing Home Director Richard White sent us this feedback...
Dementia: myths vs realities
In this guest blog, we’re delighted to be able to share the impactful thoughts of Danuta Lipinska, a counsellor who writes about the value and diversity of counselling people who are living with dementia.
The power of a simple wave
In the first of our blogs about the impact of The Wednesday Wave, educator John Plant tells us how it brings people together, no matter what the barriers between them.
Behind the scenes - How Hard is Waving (Part 3)
In the final part of our behind the scenes look at How Hard is Waving? editor Dan Hill and director/performer Rachael Savage tell us about the challenges and joys of making a BBC series in lockdown.
Behind the scenes - How Hard is Waving (Part 2)
Now it's the turn of the newbies! Rosa Savage describes her first professional acting work on How Hard is Waving?, and Norah the dog wants to be taken seriously.
Behind the scenes - How Hard is Waving (Part 1)
Making a series for the BBC in lockdown was never going to be the easiest challenge! Cast members James and Alan tell us how on earth they did it...
Telling true stories
Our BBC commission, How Hard is Waving?, was inspired by a true story, involving a runner, a lady in a care home, a small, white dog and a growing relationship. Rachael Savage tells us more…
Surreal times - a message from the garden
Artistic Director Rachael Savage with the latest on Vamos Theatre, ways to connect with us, and free cuddles (when it's allowed!)
Break the rules, change the rules
Making presumptions can be a real barrier to embracing diversity. Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, tells us about her work with seven fantastic theatre makers from Graeae, the UK’s flagship disabled-led theatre company.
Having conversations about death
We've Dr Maggie Keeble to thank for instigating the making of Dead Good - she was the person who first suggested making a show about end of life - and so it's great to have her, alongside Lucy Martin, guest blogging about the importance of planning for a good death.
A grand year for Vamos Youth Theatres
Thanks to Jasmine and Ashley for telling us what they've loved about Vamos Youth Theatre and Vamos Central in 2019...
Talking about the end
Our new show Dead Good is being supported on tour by the lovely people at Marie Curie. To start things off, Aline Dian’s guest blog encourages all of us to have those important conversations while there’s still time.
Strawberry Shoelaces and friendships
Why are youth theatres important? Our Creative Producer and Youth Theatres Director, Honor Hoskins, knows why they matter to her…
Finding the happy place
Our recent Mask Foundation Course introduced an incredibly talented group to mask techniques. A huge thank you to Worcester University student, Danielle Palmer, for describing the pleasures and the challenges.
Incredible stories of love, life and death
All our shows are born of people's real-life stories and often years of research. Writer and Artistic Director, Rachael Savage, gives us a candid. moving and tempting dip into the stories behind our new show, Dead Good.
Being the person I want to be
Our Youth Theatre for young people with learning disabilities launched in January, and what a time it's been. Vamos Central member Laura Gill tells us why she's had such a good year...
Let’s live
To celebrate Carers Week, we're so pleased to feature a guest blog by Dave Harper, who we met during the research for Dead Good. Dave is a day patient at Mary Stevens Hospice, and he tells us about his own carer, and the importance of positivity when faced with dying.
When Things Go Wrong
Things always go to plan on stage, right? Not always! In the last blog from the road, actor Sophia Knox-Miller contemplates making mistakes on stage.
A day in the life of…
So what's an actor's day like whilst a show's on the road? With admirable attention to appropriate soundtracks, Joshua Patel tells us what goes on backstage and beyond...
Unspoken connections
Thank you to Shefali Chandra, an army Veteran whose husband lived with Post Traumatic Stress, for sending us her honest and powerful blog about seeing A Brave Face, and coming to our Veterans' Mask Making Residency.
Touring Vanter
Two months into the tour of A Brave Face and the cast has covered a lot of miles! The lovely James Greaves talks van-talk, the clashing of musical tastes, and the modern phenomenon of not talking to each other.
Getting an insight
From time to time, we're contacted about work experience placements - and if someone sounds interesting, we take them on! Our latest placement has been Joe Raybould, who's written us a blog about what it's been like.
Seeing beauty in humble places
In this guest blog, Dr Julie Watson reflects on participating in Listening with your Eyes, our workshop about communication and connection.
Sharing a vision
Our partnership with National Star College is extremely precious to us at Vamos Theatre. In this guest blog, National Star's Paul Tarling tells us about the college and explores why mask theatre can work so well with young people with complex disabilities and acquired brain injuries.