Watch the film about Tim's experience here
On the 11th February 2022 I attended the Vamos Theatre show, Dead Good, at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. I have cancer and was told by my oncologist in April 2021 that I had months not years to live. This made me determined to prove him wrong, to be positive and live life to the full. I knew what Dead Good was about but also knew that it would paint a positive picture of the end of life. It certainly did! A friend of mine saw me at the show and questioned me being there, thinking it would upset me. Far from it, I found it to be brilliant theatre and totally uplifting.
At the end of the show, events took an almost surreal turn for me. The Q&A was really interesting and it was great to hear the actors talking about the show from their perspective. Then, one of the audience asked the cast about their bucket lists. I then said, probably a bit louder than I should have, (a stage whisper!), that top of my bucket list would be to appear on stage with Vamos. As we left the auditorium at the end, Honor Hoskins came up to me looking very excited and told me she’d spoken to the cast and they wanted to invite me to take on one of the characters in the last show of their tour in Wolverhampton on 5th March. I could hardly believe my luck and of course I agreed!
Prior to driving up to my hotel on the 5th March I received a script outline and a short film of the part I was to play, which was John, a terminally ill Norwich City supporter. This was really helpful in preparing me for my role.
I arrived at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton at 4p.m. for a rehearsal of my part with the cast and Rachael Savage. I was warmly greeted by everyone and was immediately struck by the team spirit of the whole group. Dan was really helpful backstage ensuring I knew where everything was and making sure I was in the right place at the right time. Lily also helped me to relax and was snapping away with her camera throughout the proceedings. Naturally I was nervous and excited but I was determined to play my part so that none of the audience would notice there was an additional actor in the show. My part lasted no more than 2 minutes but we spent over an hour perfecting my moves. I learnt so much during that time and soon realised the importance of every single movement I made. Because I was wearing a mask with a fixed face I understood that the position of my body and the movements I made created the character behind the mask. I think that every performer would benefit from doing some mask work to improve their character development. Rachael talked to me about muscle memory. By going over and over the moves my body learnt them and by the time of the performance they were firmly fixed in my mind.
We worked firstly without masks to get the moves in place and then with masks. Clearly the limited vision made it more difficult but the moves were already secure by then, so I just had to reinforce what I’d learnt without the mask.
When we were satisfied with my part, Lily recorded an interview with me and then we had some down time before reconvening at 7p.m. for a 7.30 start. I then put my costume on and sat in my wheelchair and quietly went through my moves to make sure that nothing would go wrong. I felt nervous but I think it helps to be a little nervous before I go on stage. There’s no room for complacency!
The show started and after about 10 minutes I was wheeled in to take my part. Everything went perfectly thank goodness!
I spent the rest of the show watching with the audience before making my way backstage to prepare for the curtain call. Interestingly as we were wearing masks, we held hands and when mine was squeezed I knew I had to bow. The cast quite rightly received a standing ovation, they were amazing! After the curtain call we all said something to the audience and I was able to explain to them what I was doing on the stage with those four wonderful actors.
I saw the show through different eyes having worked with the cast and was so impressed with the synchronisation of the movement in spite of the masks. The story was told with humour and pathos and it was a hugely uplifting experience for the audience and for me too.
I’d like to thank everyone in the Vamos Theatre team for making me so welcome and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I don’t say this lightly, but it was one of the best days of my life.
I’m still dealing with cancer at the moment and life fulfilling experiences like mine with Vamos only reinforce my desire to fight it and to enjoy all my adventures in the future. I currently have no symptoms, test results have shown no deterioration and I’m looking forward to some clinical trials in the oncoming months.
THANKYOU VAMOS!!!
Tim Strugnell, March 2022
Hi Tim,
Sorry I been busy with my university work and that is why I couldn’t get back to you. You are such an inspiration to all of us. I never knew could have imagined that you had cancer because you ooze positivity and you make everyone around you feel good. You made me feel special and you are not one of the best but the BEST guest I have interacted with. Please when you come back to Wolves let me know because I would be honored to have some lunch with you. Keep spreading the positivity and I hope you beat this cancer with all my heart.
And yes I am getting my university work done as I promised to you and I really hope sincerely to see you soon.
Santhush
ReplyEly Hotel Receptionist
Thanks Tim for sharing your uplifting story. It just goes to show that one needs to aim to take as many opportunities as possible Your performance must have been great fun. Good luck with the medical trials. Wishing you all the best for the future, and keep well. Best wishes, Marc
ReplyI love this!! Wish we could have you guys again here, you were our inspiration behind all of the dementia events we now host every week.
ReplyWishing you all the best Tim and keep on ‘living’ with your diagnosis, enjoy every fun moment. x
Very many thanks, Tim. Can’t type too much: my screen has blurred. Must be a technical fault.
ReplyThis is a great story - well done Tim for having the bravery to go to a show about cancer and to get up on stage and take part! Also well done to VAMOS for ‘thinking outside the box” in enabling this to happen.
ReplyI love Vamos shows as they tackle difficult subjects in an uplifting way - l think l’ve seen all previous productions but sadly missed Dead Good as it didn’t come to Exeter this time. Keep up the good work Vamos and please come back to the South West soon.
I was at the Arena, Wolverhampton for your performance. I can confirm that my friends and I had not the slightest idea that there was an extra cast member. It was lovely when they ‘unmasked’ you. So congratulations on your performance. So glad that you enjoyed the experience and I wish you the best of luck for the future
ReplyThanks for your great feedback Christine, I’m glad we had you fooled and many thanks for your good wishes!
ReplyFrom the very first performance I watched with this company I just new that they were special. Different special. I love the performances but above all, this “spirit” that they carry together that should make this gesture unsurprising . I love love love that Tim you got to fulfil this.. and love love love this theatre company. Uplifting and inspiring. ♥️
ReplyThanks so much for your comments Nalini. I agree with you, Vamos are a unique and very special company, there’s no other group around like them. The team spirit among them is evident both on and off stage!
ReplyWhat a fantastic real life story.. Thank you Tim for sharing it with us and recounting how it all happened.
ReplyAmazing of Vamos to make your wish come true.. but then they are an AMAZING company!
Thanks for your comments Minna. I agree Vamos are THE most amazing company!
ReplyVery uplifting to hear how your life has been enhanced by Vamos Theatre. They touch and affect everyone who has the privilege of seeing them. Take care x
ReplyThanks for your comments David. It was a privilege to work with those amazing people.
ReplyHello Tim.
ReplyWell done Tim, good for you for LIVING.
Honestly I feel shamed by people like you who have such a positive and determined attitude to your life , to fight whatever comes your way.
I get so angry with my self for being so apathetic and down when I ABSOLUTELY have nothing wrong with my life; physically , financially , marriage and family.
I hope I can take your words and actions into my heart, my soul and Being and to get a grip of myself and realise how lucky I truly am, shame on me.
My very best wishes and love to you for the rest of your long life.
THANK YOU Tim,
Andy
Hi Andy, I was moved to read your comments. I was in a life like yours 6 years ago and made a bad decision which could have finished me. I had to dust myself off, pick myself up and reinvent myself. I’ve been very lucky with the people I’ve met and my life could not be much better especially after the Vamos experience, a real highlight of my life! Very best wishes to you my friend!
ReplyWhat an inspiration Tim! I can understand what a very special experience being part of the company would be. Go for it & continue to do everything you possibly can to live life fully!
ReplyI wish you every bit of luck & strength for the future. XPX
Thanks for your lovely comments Pat. They make me even more determined to continue to live life to the full as long as possible!
ReplyThat is amazing. Made me wish that the Vamos theatre was coming back to Canterbury this year. I love their shows and they all are amazing that they take on some really emotive subjects and make you realise how wonderful they are. I just wish they got more recognition for what they do. Brilliant and keep up the amazing work you do. Take care and hope you will be back to Canterbury very soon. Lots of love from a very avid fan.
ReplyThanks for your comments, Joan!
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