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One of the best shows around can’t wait to see them again
ReplyMasks have arrived and are superior quality as are the resources. The students here are Arabic , using Drama to develop English skills and quality of expression. They have seen the masks and are excited to be having a go . The resources and video footage are equally high standard , clearly from a company well experienced in motivating and directing students towards exactly the right type of practical sessions. There’s also freedom within as a teacher to take and use as you will. Thanks again for the excellent service in getting them over to Oman in such a short space of time as well.
ReplyMassive thanks Bryn, so brilliant to hear how the resources are being used across the world. Enjoying playing and if you get stuck with anything or your students have questions, get in touch!! Honor xx
ReplyHaving read a selection of the comments you have already received from other attendees of Dead Good I am not sure I can even begin to match them. The best thing I can say is ‘All the above and some’.
ReplyThought provoking, humbling and inspiring are just a few of the comments I would thoroughly endorse.
My heartfelt thanks to you all.
Thank you Brian for your kind words - hope to see you again at a future performance.
ReplyI had never heard of Vamos Theatre before booking my ticket last year, so was really looking forward to seeing the play on Feb 28th 2022 at Thearte Severn, Shrewsbury. This storyline was close to my heart and I could relate to every emotions and the humour included too. I am not ashamed to say that I cried and the final scene was spot on, because I could relate to all the emotions, as I went through the same with my wonderful late husband who passed away March 1st 2020. I hope it’s not too long before you return to Theatre Severn again. Your plays are unique and I look forward to bringing a friend with me next time.
ReplyHi Marion, thank you so much for taking time to tell us what you thought about Dead Good. It is extra special to hear your words because of your recent experience, and we'd all like to say thank you for coming out and seeing a show that may have been difficult given the circumstances. We're so glad that you connected with it, and we really look forward to seeing you at a future performance.
ReplyAnother fabulous performance of Vamos Theatre with Dead Good at Severn Theatre last night. Its the 4th show my daughter and I have been to and we’ve loved every single one - we shared that love with a friend last night and I sent my sister with my mum and dad to Winchester a couple of weeks ago. “Brilliant!” from us all, and my parents (in their late 80s) are still talking about it now (mum could apparently barely contain herself with that amaryllis!!)
ReplyAt the Q&A session, you mentioned welcoming ideas for future shows. My suggestion for consideration would be a storyline around the mental health of the farming community who are under financial and sociatal pressure as never before. Its already one of the worst industries for accidents and deaths at work (20 farm workers lost their lives in fatal farm accidents in 2019/2020), and there were a total of 133 suicides registered in England, Wales and Scotland in those working in farming and agricultural related trades plus, in a Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies) survey Feb 2021, 88% of farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as biggest hidden problem facing farmers today (increased from 82% in 2018). There are some truly great organisations working to help and they would be delighted to partner you to develop a storyline.
But whatever you do, we’ll certainly be there to laugh, weep and enjoy the next show! Thank you for what you do to bring joy.
Hi Stella, thanks so much for posting, and we're really delighted you all enjoyed the show (and the amaryllis!). I've passed on what you've written about the farming community directly to Rachael, our Artistic Director and writer. You highlight some shocking statistics even in a few lines. Thank you for coming to see the show and your ongoing support - we look forward to seeing you at the next one!
ReplyHave seen Dead Good twice now in Worcester ( 2 years apart ) and it is still one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen. This is what end of life care should look like. This is how friendship and love and kindness manifest themselves. Thank you to all the cast and crew for bringing our senses alive and engaging our emotions. Thank you for both entertaining ( and you did 😊 ) and educating. With every good wish to all at Vamos xx
ReplyThank you for your lovely comments, Lisa, and your good wishes. It's fantastic that you came to see the show not once but twice - we really appreciate your support!
ReplyGoodness me, where do I start?
ReplyWatched a mesmerising performance of Dead Good, on Tuesday 8th February. A very sensitive subject treated with such empathy, understanding, and pathos. However, sadness was not the overriding emotion. There was happiness, silliness, humour and celebration.
The celebration of life in the face of death and the celebration of life after death.
With the very fine acting skills of the Vamos Theatre ensemble, no words were necessary to convey every emotion in this wonderful production. I have seen other productions by Vamos and in each and every one I could have sworn the masks took on different facial expressions. I know this could not physically have happened but the undoubted skills of the actors, in their portrayals of the characters, made it appear so. Thank you once again, for bringing, what could be construed as difficult subjects, to audiences, with great skill and understanding.
I’m sure many members of the audience, who watched Dead Good, left the theatre, went home and hugged their loved ones…..and didn’t have to say a word. x
Thank you for your thoughts about seeing the show and your kind comments, LJ, it means a lot. Hope to see you at a future show.
ReplySaw Dead Good at Colchester Mercury - loved the play - have tried describing the play to friends - well it’s a mime, with the actors in masks, and about 2 guys who meet in a hospice - Amazing!! Funny, Sad, heartwarming, thought provoking - Thank You
ReplyHi Helen, thanks so much for your comment - and excellent description!! So glad you enjoyed the show.
ReplyWent to the performance of Dead Good at Bury St Edmunds
ReplyVery thought provoking but i think i can say it was the best play i have been too in a very long time.
Keep up the good work
Anyone reading this you must try to go and see it.
Thank you Peter, word of mouth is a really effective way for us to reach new audiences so thank you for giving us such a positive comment.
ReplyWhat a BRILLIANT, thought provoking play.
ReplyAs always sharing laughter and tears with proper snot sobs when taking in the powerful message that comes across.
Everyone who I have spoken to, have the same reaction.
My sister says, ‘Every play Vamos Theatre offer is as emotive.’
Thank you
Thank you so much, Louise. We don't consider a show a success if there isn't any snot involved! Thank you for coming to see the show and supporting us.
ReplyI saw Dead Good at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. A brilliant piece of mask theatre. It was a rollercoaster of emotion as one minute I was laughing then the next in tears. We rarely talk about death but this performance was so confronting and powerful it made us face our own fears. An important and relevant piece of work.
ReplyThank you Tippy...really great to get your kind comments. We are touring until March, so please do tell friends about the show if you can.
ReplyI saw your awe-inspiring mime Dead Good at Bury last night. Not only was it an enriching and hopeful experience, but the mime reminded me why I love theatre. For the last twenty years I have been deaf in my left ear, and going to the theatre has been more about struggling to hear than engaging with the performance. I didn’t even think about that until I left the theatre, and I can’t thank you enough. All best wishes, Helen
ReplyIt's really important to us that our deaf or hard of hearing audiences get a really good theatre experience, so it's fantastic to get your comments. Thank you for coming and supporting us!
ReplyI agree Helen, I have also been partially deaf in one ear for ten years or so and theatre can often be frustrating and quite stressful. I saw Dead Good at MAC and enjoyed every single second. I also enjoyed the music because I could hear it enough and there was no struggle between it and speech. So inclusive and very funny too. Thank you.
ReplyI was at tonights performance of Dead Good in Bury St Edmunds this evening. Never has silence been so full of every emotion. I laughed and cried throughout.
ReplyCongratulations on your thought provoking sensitive performance and thank you for such a poignant subject being treated so openly and well.
Thank you Christine, and for coming out to support us. The audience at Bury were wonderful!
ReplyYesterday I participated in the workshop at Jacksons Lane, the workshop tutor Honor is so nice, I got the methods of how I can use this mask. It’s so helpful. I want to say the workshop is amazing before I have ever seen it. I hope I can join again to learn the advanced technique.
ReplyParticipated in their “behind the mask” workshop in London and absolutely loved every minute! Very insightful and a great way to gain knowledge and experience on an area thats quite hard to break into!
ReplyThis workshop reminded me why I love theatre. I like to create work that is deep and asks questions, but I have recently felt like I’ve lost how to be fun with theatre. This workshop refreshed in my mind the ways to approach devising in ways that make it funny and simple, yet still moving and important.
ReplyThis workshop was engaging and interesting and so enjoyable. I left feeling really inspired.
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Rachael /Vamos, and while looking on the website I saw the BSL video with Stephen Collins. What an absolute treat! Theatre that works equally for both Deaf and hearing people has been a passion of mine for a very long time and even when some companies achieve this with their shows, they often forget the other elements that count towards that parity of experience, such as websites.
ReplyHats off to you all!
Honor from Vamos came to our local theatre The Headgate in Colchester for a workshop. I knew I’d love it but also came out of the experience really moved with even more respect for mask performers than before. It is so hard but we were made to feel at ease. Just do it if you get the opportunity.
ReplyHonor ran a great workshop at Headgate theatre. My wife Jo is in a wheelchair and her activities forced us to separate. Good for building a feeling of trust. I found working with masks a liberating experience.
ReplyHad a great time with Honor at the Vamos workshop at Colchester’s Headgate Theatre last week. Most informative, enlightening and well-pitched for a group of mixed abilities. Would highly recommend.
ReplyEarlier in the year I attended some online Vamos mask workshops which were really good. I therefore attended the live workshop lead by Honor on Thursday this week with high expectations. I have to say my expectations were greatly exceeded! Honor was a wonderful facilitator and it was so good to learn how to use body language and non verbal communication in such a fun way. Wearing the masks and feeling our audience’s reaction towards us was really moving. There was a great deal of fun and laughter as well as a considerable amount of poignancy. What became so evident to us all was the power of the mask. I enjoyed the first session so much I signed up for the second one in the afternoon. It was even better!
ReplyI’m now looking forward to seeing a live Vamos show next year and hopefully attending an extended course in masks with Honor.
I had a wonderful day, thankyou Honor, thankyou Vamos, keep up your inspirational work!
Tim Strugnell
Hi Tim, it has been such a honour (excuses the pun) working with you online and now in person. I just loved my day at Headgate Theatre, and it sums up what a real community workshop is all about. To have such a mix of people, backgrounds, passions and ability in the room was truely brilliant. See you in Feb 2022. dates of Dead Good at The Mercury TBC....watch this space. Honorx
ReplyCompleted a Vamos morning workshop with the gloriously potty , kind and skilled Honor on 26 th August
ReplyWould try to insist everyone with an interest in the theatre in the whole country attends one of these .
It was
Uplifting
Challenging
Hilarious
Heartbreaking
Thought provoking
Joyful
Interesting
DOOOOOO IIIIIIIT if you get the chance
Hi Jackie, Thank you so much for your kind words. I absolutely loved running these workshops, you have summed up my feeling about the workshops perfectly. Hopefully we will be back in the area for another workshop soon!
ReplyMy days, my days, my days .. where to even start to thank Vamos!!?!!
ReplyWhat an utterly super, brilliant, fun, heart-warming an uplifting time you gave Haviland Family .. The show was fantastic!
Honestly, I am so moved and so thankful to Vamos .. I was quite emotional watching the faces of my Haviland audience .. they loved it!
Every one of them beaming like Cheshire cats and laughing till they almost popped .. truly, it was a laugh a second.
Please do pass our thanks to the amazingly, inclusive and friendly crew .. they are the right-kind-of-bonkers and we didn’t want them to leave.
I sincerely hope they enjoyed their time in Worthing and they had fun too .. where they get their energy for that performance I’ll never know!
And the soundtrack they used .. Perfection!
Bless you all .. what you’re doing is tremendous and I wish you all the love, luck and success you wholeheartedly deserve.
Every good wish to you all .. .. Eileen
Thank you Eileen and all the family at Haviland. Everyone had a truly wonderful time with you, and really did have fun in Worthing! Thank you for your amazing feedback and hope to see you again before too long.
ReplyWow - What a wonderful bunch of performers, full of energy, laughs and love! Our residents have had a tough year, to say the least; some haven’t seen their families, or left the building in well over a year because of lockdown, which doesn’t leave a lot to smile about… today the fabulous ‘Love Through Double Glazing’ team came to brighten up our year, put huge smiles (and some blushes) on our faces, and to fill the room with genuine belly laughs from both the staff and residents. We had so much fun interacting with the actors, dancing, bouncing balloons and plenty of snuggles with the adorable (and of course talented) show-dog, Nora. We said it already, but we can’t help but say it again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much for making it happen. Can’t wait to see more in the future!
ReplyI visited my mother today as your show was happening, when she approached me she was singing (how much is the doggie in the window)your show really animated her, with dementia you can’t always see weather the person is engaging with what is going on around them, mum’s reactions showed she was having a great time, she was so much more engaged with me today so thank you
ReplyHi Wendy, it's fantastic that your mum enjoyed the show so much - the performance aims to make connections in ways other than words, so that everyone can relate to it. We're so glad your mum did, and that it has had a positive impact. Thanks so much for posting.
ReplyGreat session very educative and helped with more insight into communication.
ReplyIt was an extremely useful workshop regarding communication in COVID times and so well executed. Full of laughter, fun and not a minute of boredom…i guess it was the only workshop on zoom during which I did not yawn. Thank you for giving us your precious time and making us understand on how to excel in communication.
ReplyWe live in France and we wouldn’t miss any plays from Vamos theater
ReplyJean Louis and I we‘ve watched and listened to you with such a passionate interest !! you can’t imagine ????
We had tears in ours eyes when you made flash backs of your different plays we are SO lucky to have seen
Thank you dearest Rachael, we are so grateful to your immense skill and the bright person you are ????
????❤️????
I have just received an email from the mime festival and I saw your company listed along with familie floez which I am a big fan of. After watching the trailer of your company I couldn’t help but noticing the similarities of vamos theatre with the German company! Honestly, it was a shock.
ReplyI know that mask theatre has been around us for a long time but each one with its own and individual style.
So true, Pablo - we really hope you can join us for the LIMF talk in January to find out more about us - we have our own way of making theatre that's very much rooted in people's real stories, and giving a voice to those who don't always get heard - mask is a great medium for encouraging empathy. Have a great Christmas time and thanks for getting in touch
Reply“Ooh look he’s taking his clothes off” (Love through Double Glazing)
ReplyThanks Joan!! We really hope you enjoyed that moment, as well as the rest of the show. With all best wishes from the Vamos Theatre team x
ReplyVamos Theatre amazing. The joy and laughter they bought to our Residents today with a performance of “Love Through Double Glazing”. Vamos are the tonic the nation needs in these difficult times they should be prescribed on the NHS. Vamos thank you for making our hearts happy and memories to last.
ReplyThank you so much! We had a ball being with you - see you again soon
ReplyDrama Teachers, do not waste another moment bemoaning what to do in lockdown: Teach Mask! Rachael, Honor and Dan helped me devise, write and direct 16 of my high school students (in Connecticut!) in an original production completely done in mask. Having never taught or directed mask before the Vamos team gave me the confidence and tools to move forward with this project. Aside from being a beautiful theatrical art form, mask lends itself to pandemic restrictions: small group scene work, social distancing, and (wait for it) wearing PPE masks without looking at PPE masks all day! I also just attended their teachers’ webinar which was as incredibly valuable as it was affordable. Did I mention my school is in Connecticut? If they can be so helpful to us from 5271 kilometers away, I can only imagine how effective they would be in your own backyard!
ReplyHi Michael, it has been a real pleasure working with you over the last few months, I can't wait for this pandemic to be over and then we can work together in person! So pleased you enjoyed the webinar, we did too. Keep in touch and stay safe.
ReplyI designed a poster and I love Wednesday wave
ReplyBrilliant, Adrian! Thanks for supporting The Wednesday Wave - from everyone at Vamos Theatre
ReplyHow Hard is Waving was wonderful. For me too the best thing I’ve watched during lockdown. It truly moved me to the core, : in the final moments, I cried it was so moving! Just brilliant. Thank you Rachael and the Vamos Theatre Team for the humour, the poignancy and the tender, touching moments throughout.
ReplyMany, many congratulations. Liz
I loved it all. The best entertainment over the whole of lockdown. Thankyou
ReplyThank you, Carole! So glad you enjoyed it x
ReplyLoved the first five days of How Hard is Waving. Captured exactly the difficulties, the heartache, the humour and humanity of lockdown. I look forward to the next 15 and to seeing the story develop. Well done Rachael and company! Well done indeed.
ReplyHow Hard Is Waving by Vamos Theatre - Day One… Nice one… Great start… I love the jam on the hand, I buttered my hand the other day after putting my bread down on the side!
ReplySorry we missed your show at Canterbury.
ReplyHopefully you will come back soon.
So love your work, so hoping you make it through x
ReplyThank you June. I’m sure we will Love Rachael
ReplyThank you June! Keep well and stay safe x
ReplyJust seen Dead Good at Eastleigh and was spellbound by the story and the perfect treatment of the subject matter. I work in a Hospice in Sussex and was concerned about how the subject would appear on the stage. It was full of laughter and a developing relationship between real characters thrown together in a very surreal environment. There was real emotional truth in the performance. Well done Vamos!
ReplyThank you Andy! So great you could see the show...x
ReplyThoroughly enjoyed Dead Good at Hertford Theatre this week. Brilliant production, sensitive topic delivered with wit charm and warmth. Will most definitely be recommending and taking a trip to the crowdfunding page. A taboo subject delivered well - thank you and keep up the good work.
ReplyThank you for coming...and for supporting us with our crowdfunding too - so glad you enjoyed the show!
ReplyWe are big fans of Vamos and had tickets for tonight’s performance at Eastleigh. However, we have decided we should adopt “social distancing” straight away in an effort to contain or delay the spread of Covid-19. We are very sorry we’ll be missing the show tonight but wish you all the best and hope it goes well no matter how small the audience.
ReplyWe're so sorry, Penny, but quite understand...it's going to be a tricky time for everyone over the next few months. The good news is that we will be touring Dead Good again in early 2021, so we hope you can see the show then instead. Thanks for getting in touch...
ReplyI have seen two Vamos theatre shows and have taken part in one of their mask workshops too- they are absolutely brilliant. Fantastic acting and staging, beautifully done. Their shows are well thought out and wonderfully executed, very reflective, powerful and emotional. I look forward to seeing their next show!
ReplyThank you so much for such positive feedback, Zoe! See you at the next one...
ReplyJust back from seeing Dead Good at Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton. My first experience of Vamos, but definitely not the last. An amazing experience!
ReplyThank you Anna! It's great to hear you enjoyed the Vamos experience...see you again at a future show.
ReplyDead Good was, well, to put it simply, dead good! It is very moving, often very funny and delivered by a very talented cast. I saw it this afternoon in Wolverhampton.
ReplyThanks for coming Peter! The cast will really appreciate your comments...
ReplyA wonderful performance at my first ever Vamos experience. Dead Good brings laughter into the life we live. Being familiar with the theme and often chuckling at the dark side in reality it was a relief to see this brought to theatre. Thank you for such a great evening.
ReplyYou're welcome, Amanda - and thanks for coming to see one of our shows for the first time - glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyHave read all the comments from Dead Good audiences. What more is there to say?
ReplyThank you for a wonderful performance.
We stil remember with great fondness the Much ado about Wenlock. We’ve been fans ever since.
Much Ado! We loved that one too - it does feel a long time ago now. Thanks for supporting us since then!
ReplyJust seen Dead Good at Grantham Guildhall, what a brilliant performance, will certainly be keeping an eye out for anything else from Vamos. A thought-provoking piece without one word being spoken, wonderful!
ReplyThank you Val - if you'd like to know about future shows you can always join our mailing list (top right of the header)...really glad you enjoyed the show.
ReplyI’ve just watched another excellent performance by Vamos at Bury st Edmunds theatre royal (Dead Good). It was brilliant. It always amazes me how much emotion they convey by pure body language.
ReplyThank you for coming, Sally. We really enjoyed Bury St Edmunds...
ReplyHaving watched another amazing production by Vamos at the Tacchi Morris art centre, can I say very well done to all of you. We are really looking forward to seeing you later in the year
ReplyThank you for your lovely comments, Janet - great you could see the show.
ReplySuch a moving performance at Shrewsbury. Well done Vamos for still performing when so much of the town was flooded. Your audience knew you would be well worth venturing out for and we were not disappointed.
ReplyThanks Gill - we don't let anything stop us! Great you could make it yourself too. So glad you enjoyed the performance.
ReplyThank you Vamos Theatre for yet another brilliant play “Dead Good” at Theatre Severn on 26th Feb. Perfect handling of a subject we should allow ourselves to celebrate. Perfectly drawn, right down to the clenched toes on curved feet in final act - sadly familiar yet reassuring to see.
ReplyThank you so much.The little details is what mask theatre is all about...so glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDead Good at Severn Theatre was dead good tonight. Too short. I wanted it to go on. It was so thoroughly enjoyable and really funny. Sad, obviously, but thoroughly immersive. I am not dead yet, but I have had a catheter so that scene resonated with me. So funny my sides now hurt. Having been with a loved one at life’s end, the final scene was sensitively done, poignant, but so real and yet somehow it was also lovely and just how I want my end to be when it eventually comes. I loved it.
ReplyI’m so chuffed with all these comments. Thank you so, so much for taking the time to feedback. The whole team reads them and often it’s the highlight of our day. Love Rachael
ReplyI love this comment- so honest and insightful. Thank you so much for coming...even my teenage boy said it was too short...but it was 70 minutes like all our shows!
ReplySaw ‘Dead Good’ in Worcester at the end of Jan. Just brilliant. Captivating theatre. Beautifully executed. Thank you for making our hearts sing and our spirits rise. Life affirming. 😊
ReplyWe love this comment! So beautifully put...thank you so much
ReplyA brilliant workshop in Edinburgh on Saturday. I’d forgotten just how much fun and how powerful full mask can be. X
ReplyThanks for coming to the workshop, Stewart - so great you enjoyed it - Rachael said there was a fantastic bunch of participants taking part.
ReplySaw Dead Good last night (5 Feb 20) .... a most phenomenal piece of theatre….. I was moved to tears after having laughed quite a bit…... simply fantastic…. just what makes theatre so special
ReplyWe agree, Graham! So glad that you enjoyed it, and thanks for your lovely comments.
ReplyI was at Jacksons Lane on the 2nd February to see DEAD GOOD.
ReplyMany, many congratulations to the Vamos Theatre team on another first class production. The subject matter has been handled with immense thought, care, respect and sensitivity, and the result is a show that is just amazing. Moving, tender, funny and thought provoking. I laughed and I cried and I came away feeling how lucky I’d been to see such a beautifully crafted piece of theatre, performed so brilliantly. Thank you very much Vamos Theatre. Good luck with your tour.
Wow, what a wonderful comment, Liz. It's been passed on to the whole team - so great you liked it.
ReplyI was in the Jackson’s Lane, London audience of Dead Good last night, 1st Feb. My expectations were high, as I’ve seen Vamos shows before, and I wasn’t disappointed. The quality of performance, direction, the attention to detail, the music, costumes, lighting, projections all combined to create a magical 70 minutes of pure theatrical delight. The deep, meaningful message is expertly woven through the antics of Bob and Bernard and left me feeling humbled by the power that non-verbal performance, in the right hands, has to engage and move its audience. I want everyone I love to see this show! Well done Vamos, what a dedicated, hard-working and talented team of practitioners you are. Thank you so much for all that you are doing to bring joy and meaning into our crazy world.
ReplyThank you SO much for your gorgeous and beautifully written comment! It's been passed on to the whole team, and it's much appreciated. Thank you for coming!
Reply‘Dead Good’ was dead good! Once again, Vamos Theatre has captured the essence of a subject and, with poignancy and humour, shone a light on an experience that affects us all. It was the highlight of the London Mime Festival.
ReplyThank you so much, Dee, we're humbled! With all the amazing talent at LIMF that's a wonderful thing to hear...many thanks
ReplyWe saw ‘Dead Good’ last night in London and absolutely loved the show! So poignant, funny and moving. All four of us had tears streaming down our faces by the end. As an amateur ex-mime artist it was so exhilarating to see such brilliant technique being easily and masterfully used to such wonderful effect. Just inspiring! Keep it up please, the Mime Festival is so much the better for this display of true corporeal movement!!
ReplyThank you Mike! The cast really loved your comment...we're so glad you enjoyed it (and had a good cry of course)
ReplyThis is the most amazing show. No words spoken yet so much said…. My dad passed away recently and this show was a totally cathartic experience for me. I laughed and I cried and I loved it. Thankyou Vamos for creating the most amazing work. Go and see this!!!!!
ReplyThank you, Helen...it's especially lovely to hear from you as you experienced someone dying so recently. We're so, so pleased that it was impactful for you and grateful for you coming. Please spread the word...
ReplyI saw your play last Friday 25th January and was totally transported and riveted. I was particularly fascinated by the single mask expression being relevant to whatever the actions were communicating. This was due to the skill and concentration of the perfomers and emphasised that words are only part of our means of comunication. Excellent play by all your team. Gordon
ReplyThank you Gordon, that's much appreciated
ReplyAnother brilliant performance from Vamos. I want to encourage everyone to experience your work. It’s an inspiration! Good luck with the tour.
ReplyWould you consider revisiting ‘Much Ado About Wenlock’ in the future?
HI Gay, thank you for your kind comments...great to hear - and also that you've been supporting us since Much Ado! Sadly, it's pretty unlikely we'll re-visit it, because it was so much a show of its time marking the Olympic Games. Perhaps we'll revisit it the next time the UK hosts the Games :0)
ReplySaw Dead Good at the Swan Theatre. What a funny, sad, uplifting, heart wrenching performance. So good! I have seen many Vamos productions and they are always brilliant and to the point of the subject. Well done all of you, looking forward to your next production. ????
ReplyThanks Liz, and especially for being such a loyal supporter...so glad you enjoyed the show.
ReplyA superb experience of theatre at it most powerful at Swan last night. We were drawn into the characters so well that we really understood their character and cared about them. We understood their true caring that goes on in hospice services. We laughed. I particularly enjoyed the slapstick of some scenes. And then….the so beautifully played death, the love, the last struggling breaths, and then the deepest calm. I’m afraid I’m the one who let a loud uncontrollable sob out! And the brilliant end (no spoiler here).
ReplyDead Good must be seen. Thank you Vamos.
I’ve had emails and conversations with many people apologising for the same uncontrollable sob- I don’t think you’d be singled out Lucy! I was overwhelmed by the communal emotion, it was extraordinary as I’ve never experienced it before. Off to London now to open with our co-commissioners at the London International Mime Festival…wish us luck xx
ReplyI saw “Dead Good” yesterday, the first time I’ve seen Vamos perform, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially with the theme of the play. During the first 2 minutes I still wasn’t sure - I’d forgotten you do a speechless performance - and I wondered if I was going to follow a 70 min wordless play. Within 5 minutes I was totally absorbed. I laughed. I cried. I was totally drawn in. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking evening. Thank you.
ReplyThanks Maggie! It's great to hear when people are converted to mask theatre...great you could come, and please spread the word
ReplyToday (24th January 2020) I saw VamosTheatre ‘s latest show ‘Dead Good’ at The Swan Theatre, Worcester.
This was a gorgeously humbling and exhilerating show! It feels relevant to everyone, zooming in on the final steps of life in all its colour. The performers were so articulate and playful even behind the great masks they wore which limited their sight—I can definitely imagine walking past characters - people - like those they portrayed in everyday life, making the story all the more gripping. I haven’t heard so many sniffles and sobs in the audience (as well as a few of my own) and it was such a celebration to have witnessed every moment, whether it be outrageously hysterical or bitterly upsetting.
And a shout-out to the technical team—what they did with this set and show was so surprising, clever and made my eyes shine !
Vamos are touring currently, so if you are in any of the cities they’re taking ‘Dead Good’ to, see if you can book a ticket and embrace life’s bitter-sweet highs and lows alongside them ! ????
ReplyThank you so much Danielle, especially for your comments about the technical side of the show: it's often forgotten and the technical team will be really happy to hear how you like it! Thanks for coming...
ReplyDead Good - Preview at Swan, Worcester 23rd January
Thanks for a brilliant show. I’ve seen all except Much Ado About Wenlock and they’ve been absorbing, thought-provoking, entertaining, emotional…..but this took the emotions (and relevance) to another level. Clearly draining on the cast and audience alike. The Q&A session afterwards was highly informative, a shame it had to end so soon. The productions would lose some depth in the process but have you considered filming them for screening to a wider audience?
ReplyThank you for coming Dave, and for your lovely comments. We do use films of our shows for educational settings - and it may be something we look into doing more generally. Watch this space...
ReplyThank you so much for the performance of 'Dead Good' last night. It is a truly inspiring piece to watch that opens up the 'taboo' of talking and accepting death. I bought a group of 50 secondary students worrying that I was going to be faced with comments like 'we didn't like it' and 'why, just why sir!' All of my students thoroughly enjoyed it and it has opened their eyes to a new genre of theater and the devising process. Also, thank you so much for the time you took for the post performance talk. Our students got a lot from it and are starting to understand the devising process and how much time/effort and dedication is needed to create a truly exception show.
ReplyLast night took 6 people to see “Dead Good”....3 of us all having experienced in last 18months our husbands hospice interventions and untimely deaths.
ReplyWhat a performance…..let me give some words….Moving….humour in the reminder to live well….before dieing well…..not one word uttered but such a story told in the movements, shrugs….looks…...silence…..it was great….absolutely great….....something I can relate too…..and take away its message…..to think and ponder on…..to share with others on similar journeys…...it was bitter sweet…...and yet so important . Performers did a great job and were wonderful. Can not recommend it too highly to anyone…...and I will be spreading the word….well done Vamos…..it’s something you could watch over and over again and come away with something new each time…....Shefali
Thank you so much for coming to our opening preview Shefali. It was so exciting to see you there and incredible the link with the friends that you brought with you- I’m still reeling from it and told both Pete and Nick about the connection. They were very touched. Love Rachael
ReplyJust seen Dead Good tonight at Swan Theatre Worcester, wow!! Fabulous another brilliant production. Thank you Vamos for presenting us with difficult subjects and finding brilliant ways to making us face up to them. Keep up the great work. Wishing you huge success for the tour.
ReplyThank you Janet, I'll pass that along to the whole team. Great you could come!
ReplyThank you for the fantastic work that you do with my son who attends Vamos Central, and for giving the young people the opportunity to perform in public.
ReplyHi Rachel, you are so welcome. Running this group is a pleasure and a joy. Officially the highlight of every week!
ReplyWe would love you to come back to Whitby, North Yorks, as the first show was brilliant, but have never been able to find another close enough to attend.
ReplyLove to see you next year.
Best wishes
Joyce
Hi Joyce, I've passed your comment on to Claire who does our tour booking and we'll definitely try. So glad you enjoyed the show you saw - have a merry Christmas!
ReplyHello Joyce, we'd certainly like to make it up to Whitby or somewhere else nearby. We'll keep trying and in the meantime do make sure you're on our mailing list to keep up to date with tour plans. If there is a particular venue you think we'd be perfect for, do let us know. It sometimes also helps if our audiences contact a venue directly to let them know that you'd like to see Vamos Theatre as part of their programme ;) Sending Christmas Wishes to you. Claire
ReplyVamos Theatre recently delivered a wonderful day at Sense Touchbase Pears for audiences with complex disabilities. It was the first time Vamos had delivered to deaf blind audiences and they did a brilliant job making sure everyone was welcome and adapted the performances to make it accessible for everyone. Before the performance element of the workshop started each person touched the mask to get a tactile ‘sense’ of the character and were able to explore in their own time . The masks were a wonderful way to enable everyone to connect to the performers and create a dramatic ‘moment’ however , where ever they were in the space . Feedback has been brilliant and many audiences members have signalled for more , which is rare after one workshop! See you soon! (Please )
Replyany s.wales shows on plan? swansea loves yas x
ReplyHello there. No South Wales dates in this first tour unfortunately. We are in Malvern, Shrewsbury and Mold but they might all be too far for you. We hope we will get to bring the show to South Wales in Spring 2021. Watch this space!
ReplyWow!
ReplyI recently completed the Foundation course in full mask, run by Rachael. What an incredible few days. I learnt a great deal and had numerous opportunities to present what I was learning along the way, including a public performance at the end of the course. As someone who hasn’t been to drama school, intensive courses like these are the exact kind of opportunities I look for. I’ve found I learn a lot more during intensive courses than I would if I took a class every week. Huge thank you to Worcester Arts Workshop for having us, and to ACE Midlands too.
Your effort, organisation and support are greatly appreciated!
I’m inspired and have had some great ideas about where to take my mask journey next!
That sounds really exiting Loretta- do share your journey with us and keep an eye out for more opportunities especially at Worcester Arts Workshop.
ReplyI have just finished participating in the foundation mask course. It was such a great opportunity to work in a professional environment and develop myself as an emerging artist in the West Midlands. Courses like that are invaluable, thank you Vamos and Worcester Arts Workshop!
Looking forward to seeing Dead Good in 2020.
ReplyThanks Romy. Everyone here was blown away by the standard of our first Foundation Course - look forward to seeing you at Dead Good
ReplyHi Vamos
ReplyMy mum and I huge fans of your productions , and sooo excited to hear all about Dead Good!
Please come back to The Haymarket Basingstoke , Hampshire
We can’t wait to see you all
Thanks Sandra! Tour dates will be announced in early October, so fingers crossed you'll be able to get to a performance x
ReplyTo the cast members of ‘A Brave Face’ which I had the great pleasure to view this evening in the Theatre Royal Winchester.
I spoke with the cast in the Q&A chat following on from the outstanding performance. Words failed me! In the ten years since my own front-line experience in Sangin Valley, Helmand Province I’ve never previously talked in public about that monumental summer tour & I apologise for my rather emotional stumbling when I was attempting to express how amazing your story/performance was. It’s the best show I’ve ever seen, believe me. If only you filmed it to sell on dvd? I’m extremely grateful to you all including the additional members of your production team for putting this emotive story together. The power you project through the use of mime made for an unforgettable experience & I thank you all most sincerely.
Craig White (Chalkster)
FOB Inkerman (Herrick 10) 2009
ReplyThank you so much for seeing the show, Craig, and sharing some of your experience in the Q&A afterwards - we know that the cast and members of the audience were really impacted by your words, and we thank you for them. Please do stay in touch, and we hope you can see one of our shows in the future.
ReplySaw Brave Face at the Drill Hall, Lincoln last week and was blown away by the performance. Did’nt know what to expect. I work as a Mental Health Nurse with Veteran’s and found this production was so powerful and emotive with its content. Congratulations to all the cast and whole production team. Mel
ReplySaw A Brave Face at Winchester; I love your productions and what you can convey without speaking a word. I have seen A Good Thing (in Perigueux) and Finding Joy (Eastleigh) and this one was even more powerful in what it had to say. Will you be bringing back previous productions (would love to see Nursing Lives)?
ReplyHi Charles, really glad that you enjoyed the performance of A Brave Face - and have seen other productions too - thank you! At the moment we're not planning to revive our earlier shows - we have such a lot happening with more recent ones, but never say never! We hope that you'll be able to come and see our new production in early 2020: more information will be announced via our mailing list in early September. We think it will be a good one!
ReplySaw A Brave Face at the Lowry. My Daughter and me were impressed. In the technique, relying so much on the body to convey the character, meaning and emotion. Given the 30 years between us we saw different things in the story. For me I thought Vamos had made a very tender work. Conveying the youth of Ryan. A reminder of the youth of the men, at my age “boys” , who we somehow expect to deal with horrors. And so well done to convey Ryan so convincingly, I was amazed when the mask came off. Well well done.
ReplyMe and my husband came to see A Brave Face last night in Leeds and had no idea what a full mask, no speaking production would be. We were both staggered at the way we were completely sucked in and felt we had been through an emotional wringer in the best possible way. I have not seen anything so powerful before. The actors were skilled beyond belief and we were astonished that with no facial expression or words we were transported to an army barracks in Afghanistan and back to the UK and the effects of PTSD. The tiny gestures told the story and at the same time we suddenly became aware of just how much is said in daily life by our bodies.
ReplyThe family relationships, fun on the barracks, links kept with home and lack of any real understanding or support and the effects on homecoming were all shown with humour but at the same time so sad.
Wonderful theatre that will stay with me for a very long time. Thanks
My husband and I saw A Brave Face last night at the Theatre Royal in Winchester. He is a serving captain in the RE and I work in a hospital. The story resonated with both of us, particularly how PTSD hurts everyone in the family but despite your own hurt and anger you still love and comfort one another. The balance of humour and serious scenes was just right and made it a very relatable story. Very skilled acting and execution. Thanks for a great show.
ReplyThank you Catherine, we really appreciate you coming to see the show, and letting us know what you thought.
ReplyMy husband and I saw A Brave face at a favourite theatre, Winchester Theatre Royal. We were engrossed throughout and found ourselves moved to laughter and tears.
ReplyThe performances were faultless, endearing, alarming, tender, funny.
The plot encompassed a whole novel in its breadth and scope and was entirely real and convincing. The masks were excellent. The music set the mood.
We came away disturbed by the events portrayed and amazed by the expertise of those who portrayed them. So much was ‘said’ without a single spoken word.
Bravo!
It's a lovely theatre, isn't it? So glad you were engrossed by the show - it's been a hard balance to portray the trauma those living with PTS can experience, whilst finding humour and humanity too. All credit to the performers for making each performance work so well. Thank you so much for seeing the show, and letting us know what you thought of it.
ReplySaw A Brave Face last night on a trip to Hexham. It was a chance booking but really enjoyed it, and as a veteran it really moved me. Thanks for considering us by putting the leaflets out for the NHS service and liaising with help for heroes, and also for offering chilled performances, as being autistic, I can struggle going to the theatre. Great production.
ReplyHad the pleasure of seeing A Brave Face at the Artrix recently. A very funny but also very sad show.
ReplyMy wife was in tears when we left as we can both relate to the story. We really could see our family on that stage, thankfully for us however things didn’t go so badly and our boy is now happily looking forward to the birth of his first child.
We were lucky to be able to fund private treatment, others are not so lucky so please keep up the good work raising this issue. There are other good men and women out there that still need help.
Went to see A Brave Face at the Artrix last night. What a fabulous performance! Emotional, funny and an excellent way to highlight the issues of PTSD. Thank you for giving my family and friends a night to remember.
ReplyWent to see A BRAVE FACE last night at the Artrix Arts Centre, Bromsgrove. I have wanted to see Vamos in performance for a long time and they didn’t disappoint. Powerful and beautifully acted; every little movement told the story and explained the character’s thoughts and feelings to a tee. Looking forward to seeing more of Vamos in performance. Thank you
ReplyWe went to see the Vamos Youth Theatre “Kasper The Wild” performance on Friday 5th April. Fabulous - great talent and a very convincing, innovative and moving story. Looking forward to seeing these young actors in future main company performances!
ReplyI went to see ‘A Brave Face’ along with other Armed Forces Champions from Gloucester Hospitals Trust at the Everyman Theatre.
ReplyI was asked if I enjoyed the performance but could not respond as was in tears. Such was the power of the story. This extremely well portrayed production, especially without the use of word, hopefully has given many laypeople an insight into the plight of ex-servicemen/women living with this terrible condition (or not living in the case of some of my husbands’ colleagues/friends who are no longer with us due to suicide)
The part that resonated with me most was the array of well intentioned people and services all giving instructions, directions, leaflets & signposting. But it was the love of family that won through.
We know that overwhelming feeling…...
A big shout out to Rachel and the team for yesterday’s mask workshop in Worcester, and with such a large group. It was a really fun and informative day, and thought-provoking in the use of communication without words. Inspiring to watch really good performers showcase their performance ideas too. Jane, Estelle and I had a great time and encourage everyone to see a Vamos show or attend a workshop. Thanks again.
ReplyThank you for the great mask workshop at Worcester today. It was good fun and I learned a lot.
ReplyOne of the most innovative and well performed pieces of theatre I’ve had the privilege to see.
ReplyThe level audience engagement without use of the human voice was breath taking and made the messages sent and emotions provoked all the more powerful. Thank you.
I look forward to further productions with enthusiasm.
Thank you Keith, we've a new production in planning which will tour from January next year - so stay in touch.
ReplySaw your show at the Everyman theatre Cheltenham tonight.
ReplyI thought it very raw and powerful. Well done on tackling a difficult subject
Thank you - it has been a difficult subject to take on, but it's important stuff. Hope you'll come and see us again sometime in the future...
ReplyI have just finished a two day workshop with Rachael Savage and some of her team….mask making in Worcester.
ReplyIt was fun, challenging, informative, exciting and inspirational…...Rachael is a super, super teacher/trainor…..caring, considerate…..passionate about what she does and good at it…....she cares about people and their stories….......what a privilege to be on this course I learnt so much about how to speak and express myself without words. To see how the masks are made…......and used…...thank you so much.
It was a very special two days Shefali for me too- I love the combination of honesty and bravery, laughter and care. Thanks so much for joining us and please do keep in touch Love Rachael xxx
ReplySaw you tonight at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven with my 11 year old daughter (she loves theatre and want to act when she is older). This production was very powerful, very moving and also light hearted and funny in places. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this to anyone. My daughter loved it too, the masks and lack of speaking really opened up the art of acting with body and movement alone to her. Well done indeed.
ReplyI came to Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury tonight to see a brave face. I was mesmerized throughout the performance which without talking or facial expressions means the acting and production were outstanding I went from laughing crying holding my breath to wanting to say something when the young man was trying to decide whether to commit suicide.
ReplyRaising awareness of the extent of this condition is so good.
Tomorrow I will read the program. Thank you to each member of the cast and the production team it has been a truly memorable experience.
We came from France last week to see “A brave face “
ReplyWe ‘ve seen the previous plays with an great enthusiasm and admiration for the work done by Vamos théâtre and its performers but this time the curser is raised higher
PTS is a difficult subject relegated mostly into oblivion
Vamos theatre has enlightened and given it a loud voice and a face through the story of that young soldier, his mother and sister with a stunning quality of expression and a great variety of emotions, the result is breathtaking !
It was a “necessary play “for the sake of all the soldiers working for our liberties and values
A truly successful marriage between a universal subject and the Vamos full mask theater universal language
Thank you for travelling from France to see the show - that is amazing and we're very glad it was worth the effort!
ReplyHaving seen all of your shows to date it’s fair to say that once again it was a performance to remember at the unity theatre last night. Thank you.
ReplyThanks for coming Mike (and for being such a great supporter!)
ReplyI saw the show at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool last night and was moved and humbled by its simplicity and its sensitivity. Quite frankly, as a piece of theatre it was stunning!
ReplyAs a former mental health nurse and social worker I have cared for veterans and sometimes seen them and their families devasted by suicide and/or violence. However, it is not all doom and gloom. There now appears to be a growing recognition about the mental health needs of returning military personnel and, belatedly there are some funding streams coming into the third sector and NHS to advise, support and treat those with Post Traumatic Stress. Keep up the great work and thank you.
It does seem like there are some changes happening which can only be good. Thank you for coming to see the show and we're so glad you liked it
Reply