Bereaved sibling launches a new immersive theatre show exploring grief.
A new physical theatre immersive work is set to premiere on London’s South Bank, August 2024. B O U N D hopes to help people process and become more aware of the physical feelings of grief.
B O U N D invites participants to explore a fully sensory world which allows them to follow nine intertwined stories of grief which are spread across five floors. Unlike a traditional theatre setting, the audience are invited to roam freely around the space.
B O U N D is the idea of Amber Jarman-Crainey, who developed the show when her older brother passed away in 2020. Amber said:
“I think it's really important to have an understanding of grief before someone potentially experiences it. I had an idea of how I might have felt or reacted but in reality, grief changed my whole life. I was also shocked at how each grief I have experienced is different. For me, grief appeared as a physical and emotional response, especially when I lost my brother. Suffering with uncontrollable panic attacks, hair loss, unhealthy food habits and self-isolation. Grief had and still does have massive implications on all areas of my life. I’m learning to integrate grief into my life, but it is a daily struggle.
As you move through B O U N D you will probably gravitate towards particular storylines, perhaps depending on what you’ve experienced in life. B O U N D highlights endless variations of grief, not just grief caused by death. It was important for me to explore the light and shade of grief. This is reflected within the choreographic and spatial decisions you’ll come across during the work”.
During the creation of B O U N D, Amber has found it to be a way of supporting her own grief, bringing herself closer to her brother. She felt strongly about working with a range of specialists throughout this process to make sure the show is as true as possible.
“I feel extremely grateful to be constantly working in parallel with multiple movement, grief and mental health specialists. Creating this project, I was aware emotions would be high, not only for the audience but for the performers. It has been key for me to put in place support and guidance through the development stage”.
Amber hopes the physical world of B O U N D can open a space for people to talk, reflect and understand that whilst our own journeys of grief are individual, we are always bound by grief.
“One of the core reasons I created B O U N D is to invite people to explore grief through a sensory art form. I constantly remind myself that nobody’s grief is greater than another. Everyone’s grief is accepted and it’s valid. There is a massive taboo associated with the topic, so I hope B O U N D will be a bridge to conversation and will increase the awareness of alternative support and therapy.”
B O U N D will open to the public from 25th August - 8th September 2024. As well as the performances, there is a free installation on several days.
Website // Tickets - amberjarmancrainey.com
Instagram - @amberjarmancrainey