Maison Foo’s Midlands Tour to Premiere at Déda!

 

Local performers Maison foo premiere their groundbreaking new show A Thing Mislaid at Déda

After a decade of critically acclaimed tours and sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows, Maison Foo are bringing their ground-breaking new work to audiences across the Midlands.

Inspired by migration, journeys and friendship this brand-new touring show celebrates and questions the idea of what it means to leave your birthplace in search of a place to call home once more.

Maison Foo’s latest show, A Thing Mislaid, began life back in 2015 when Artistic Directors Beth and Kate began exploring a commonality they shared- their migratory heritage. Both had grandfathers that had migrated to the UK from Ireland in the 1940s. After travelling to Ireland to re-trace their grandfathers’ steps, the idea of a new show was born.

 

A Thing Mislaid uses Foo’s trademark style of humour, clowning and physical theatre mixed with exciting new experiments in miniature puppetry and live camera to create epic cinematic moments live on stage.

Beth Sheldon, Co- Director of A Thing Mislaid, said: "We can’t believe development for this piece began 3 years ago and now here we are with a phenomenally talented and inspiring creative team making it a reality! We are delighted that Arts Council England and Derby Theatre continue to support this journey alongside new partners Evan Cornish Foundation and the European Regional Development Fund. Whether you are interested in the migration stories that have inspired the work or you are just someone that has travelled, journeyed or dreamt of doing so, then this show is for you."

Inspired by A Thing Mislaid’s narrative, Maison Foo have partnered with Derby Theatre, Derby Refugee Advice Centre and Journeys Festival international to identify ways in which they could support refugees and those seeking asylum. From this, Maison Foo created the Refugee Friends Scheme, in order to promote community cohesion, combat loneliness and isolation and to make their work more welcoming and accessible to those who may face barriers to accessing the Arts.

 

Bethany added: "Developing the Refugee Friends Scheme alongside our work is such an important part of this project. I cannot begin to put into words the impact meeting and working with the groups has had on us as artists. And now, to be able to work with theatres to make our work and their buildings a more welcoming experience for people who are currently

isolated is so immensely rewarding. We hope we can begin to make a real difference during this tour for refugees and those currently seeking asylum which we can continue to grow and build on with many more venues in the future."

Angela Russel, a volunteer with Derby Refugee Advice Centre said: "I love the theatre. I wanted to be able to share it with people coming in to our community, but mostly I am delighted to be part of a project which is listening to and responding creatively to the lives of asylum seekers. I can already see the effect it is having on their own emotional and creative responses."

A Thing Mislaid presented by Maison Foo will be at Déda, Chapel Street Derby, DE1 3GU on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 September 2018 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on www.deda.uk.com, on 01332 370911 or in person at Déda’s Box Office.

 

 

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