About the show
Seventeen year old Danny – bright, creative, always out with his mates – is the unlikeliest of heroes. His gran, Joy, is funny, kind, loves to dance, and is losing her memory. So when out of the blue, Danny announces he’ll look after his gran, everyone holds their breath. But Danny is a natural carer, finding any which way to connect, to play and to accept the gran he adores. Battling against conflicting opinions on this difficult journey, is Danny’s love enough to face the challenges ahead?
Based on the true experiences of one family and told entirely without words, award-winning Finding Joy has been performed across the globe from Shanghai to Switzerland, Norway to Norwich and Liverpool to London. The 2027 tour of Finding Joy has been staged to celebrate Vamos Theatre’s 21 years of ground-breaking, life-changing, inclusive and compassionate work.
As with all its productions, Vamos Theatre welcomes everyone to see Finding Joy, including people who may need a more accepting auditorium environment. The company invites all its audiences to join in supporting this inclusivity, so that everyone feels welcome.
Suitability: 12 years+ | deaf audiences without BSL interpretation.
This production is inspired by the work of Penny Greenland and Jabadao.
Finding Joy Mask Workshop
Alongside the production, schools, colleges and other learning settings can book a 2-hour mask workshop. In this engaging and dynamic session, students discover full mask, physical theatre and devising for themselves, learn how Vamos Theatre creates its productions, and explore the themes of Finding Joy as a stimulus for devising. This workshop can be delivered using BSL by a deaf practitioner if required and is ideal for KS3 upwards (12+).
Max group size: 24 or 12 (BSL)
Book at: learning@vamostheatre.co.uk
Production details
CAST
TBC
PRODUCTION TEAM
Writer/Director: Rachael Savage
Soundtrack by: Janie Armour
Advisor: Penny Greenland
Set/Costume Designer: Carl Davies
Mask/Puppet Maker: Russell Dean
Lighting Designer: Matt Clutterham
Sound Designer: Sam Glossop
Choreographer: Rachael Alexander
Cine Film: Mike Jackson
Script Consultant: Janie Armour
Print design: alienpen
Set Builders: Gavin Lewery
Costume Supervisor/maker: Hannah Marshall
Wig Dresser: Alison Barlow
OTHER INFO
RUNNING TIME: 75 mins
FUNDERS: Arts Council England
SUITABILITY: Over 12 years
BSL Show Info
TRANSCRIPT
2027 is Vamos Theatre’s 21st birthday year, and to celebrate, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company is retouring its award-winning production, Finding Joy, in February and March 2027. Based on the true experiences of one family and told entirely without spoken words, Finding Joy explores dementia through the eyes of 17-year-old Danny and his gran, Joy. It’s a funny, deeply touching, clever and life-affirming show that’s gained multiple five-star reviews and is completely accessible to deaf audiences without BSL interpretation. Explore the show further at www.vamostheatre.co.uk/finding-joy - you’ll find full tour dates there, both UK and international, once confirmed. Come and see the show and please share with friends and colleagues in the deaf community. Thank you!
Trailer
Reviews
Finding Joy gallery
