THOUGHT TO FLESH to Play Motor Neurone Disease Awarness Day

"Thought to Flesh"

The Clapham Grand
21st June 2017 (Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day)

18.30 - 22.00

A theatrical investigation about motor neurone disease, developed in collaboration with UCL Institute of Neurology with support from the Wellcome Trust.

Following a series of successful performances at the Network Theatre, as part of the VAULT Festival 2017, theatre company Birds of Passage has been invited by Creative Reactions and Pint of Science to perform Thought to Flesh at The Clapham Grand, as part of an evening which will gather artists, scientists and poets to share stories around motor neurone disease.

Theatre collective Birds of Passage has brought together London-based artists to collaborate with leading medical professionals in order to understand the emotional and scientific journey of MND. Working closely with individuals affected by MND, the company presents an authentic and educational piece of theatre.

Today 5,000 people in the UK suffer from MND. UCL Institute of Neurology and The Wellcome Trust are backing this new science-led investigation into the challenges faced by doctors, patients and those closest to them.

Synopsis/Summary of Narrative

Thought to Flesh is a theatrical investigation into MND, based on true stories and cutting-edge research by the Patani Lab, Institute of Neurology, UCL.

It tells the story of Emily, diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at an unusually young age and slowly losing her mobile capability. Emily is caught in an inexorably diminishing world, which affects her body, mind and closest relationships. Eventually unable to speak her desires or wishes, and despite severe depression and growing frustration, she never looses hope. Her resilience and courage guide her towards new ways of communicating through her love for the arts. Learning to draw and paint with her eyes, Emily explores the beauty around her and devotes new- found energy to helping other people living with MND.

Using symbolic imagery to express Emily's experience and the science of MND, Thought to Flesh reveals hidden worlds that lie beneath the surface of a body under extreme duress.

Cast

Nathalie Czarnecki as Emily

Lil Davis as The Carer and The Doctor

Hugo Nicholson as Anthony/ The Neurologist

Creatives

Directed by Gareth Mitchell & Davide Vox

Music and Sound Design: Gareth Mitchell

Movement Direction: Christine Maupetit

Video Installation: Karolina Maria Dudek

Set Designer: Urszula Witkowska

Imagery: Sarah Ezekiel

Poster Design: Karolina Maria Dudek

Digital Imagery: Sarah Rubidge

Academic Advisors: Dr Rickie Patani, Dr Helen Devine

Co-devisers: Nathalie Czarnecki, Gareth Mitchell

Writers: Jules Armana, Henry C. Krempels, Lil Davis, Nathalie Czarnecki, Gareth Mitchell

Conceived by Gareth Mitchell, Dr Rickie Patani and Nathalie Czarnecki

The evening will also include:

A talk on neurology by Dr Rickie Patani (Clinical Neurologist and Stem Cell Biologist) from UCL Institute of Neurology, who will explain some of the science behind neurological movement disorders.

Poems by Francis Byrne & Seki Lynch based around their reactions to the topic.

Art and a talk by visual artist and motor neurone disease diagnosed Sarah Ezekiel on the techniques she uses to make her artwork.

Tickets: £12
Online booking: www.pintofscience.co.uk/event/thought-to-flesh
Box office: 020 7223 6523

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