Research suggests that half of the British population will experience one traumatic event in their lifetime. How do you think you would you cope if it happened to you?
When Ollie, Ashleigh and Raph are thrown together by a sudden death, they find themselves wrestling with the emotional consequences of this painful event. These three young people didn't go looking for suffering, but suffering found them anyway. Join them on their journey and stand side by side with them as they recover, survive and maybe even Thrive.
This exciting production for young people uses humour, movement and spoken word. Zest Theatre surround the audience to beautifully portray the most challenging of emotions with courage and optimism.
Developed in collaboration with Psychologists and inspired by true stories of young people, Thrive shows us what happens when three people, pushed to the edge of what they can bear, dig deep and learn to live on. It is a life-affirming look at finding hope in the face of adversity.
Suitable for ages 14+ | Contains strong language and emotional themes | Limited seating available so comfortable footwear advised
#thriveplay
“★★★★ Therapeutic, amusing and challenging”
“★★★★ A brave, honest and relatable story”
“Humorous and energetic”
“Enchanting”
“A wonderfully upbeat message”
Trailer
Making the Show
Audience Reactions
Production Gallery
Blog Posts
Cast
Cast
Claire Gaydon
Dan Morgan
Luke Vernon
Production
Devised by the Company
Director
Toby Ealden
Set and Costume Design
Barney George
Lighting Designer
Ben Pacey
Sound Designer / Composer
Joel Atkins
Psychology Consultant
Dr Roger Bretherton
Dramaturg
Gareth Morgan
Movement
Amy O'Sullivan
Producer
Fiona Moon
Touring Technical Manager
Ruth Luckins
Company Manager
Jordan Blackwood
Tour Dates
2016 / 2017
Burnley Youth Theatre
Tuesday 4th October 2016
Sunderland Stages @ City Studio
Wednesday 5th October 2016
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-Upon-Trent
Thursday 6th October 2016
Gliderdrome, Boston
presented by St Barnabas Hospice
Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th October 2016
artsdepot, London
Thursday 13th October 2016
The Woodville, Gravesend
Tuesday 21st February 2017
Stratford Circus
Wednesday 22nd February 2017
The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
Thursday 23rd February 2017
West End Centre, Aldershot
Friday 24th February 2017
The Hat Factory, Luton
Saturday 25th February 2017
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Monday 27th February 2017
Marina Theatre, Lowestoft
Tuesday 28th February 2017
Farnham Maltings
Thursday 2nd March 2017
The Point, Eastleigh
Friday 3rd March 2017
The Old Market, Brighton
Saturday 4th March 2017
Harlow Playhouse
Tuesday 7th March 2017
The Garage, Norwich
Thursday 9th March 2017
Dorchester Arts
Friday 10th March 2017
Cornerstone, Didcot
Saturday 11th March 2017
The Hive, Shrewsbury
Tuesday 14th March 2017
Lincoln Drill Hall
Thursday 16th March 2017
Bridge House Theatre, Warwick
Friday 17th March 2017
AUTUMN 2015
Lincoln Drill Hall
Tuesday 10th November 2015
Stamford Arts Centre
Wednesday 11th November 2015
Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham
Thursday 12th November 2015
Cast, Doncaster
Friday 13th November 2015
Help and Advice
Mind
0300 123 3393
Text 8646
www.mind.org.uk
Grief Encounter
020 8371 845
www.griefencounter.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
08452 03 04 05
www.winstonswish.org.uk
Bereavement UK
www.bereavement.co.uk
Samaritans
116 123
www.samaritans.org
Young Minds
www.youngminds.org.uk
Dying Matters
www.dyingmatters.org
The Good Goodbye App (free download)
Apple App Store
Windows App Store
Google Play
Soundtrack
Crowd Funding Backers
We are incredibly thankful to the following people supported our crowd funding campaign to help develop the show and make Thrive a reality:
Andrew and Marion Coleman
Chris and Rachel Coleman
Jamie Cook
Jane Crawshaw
Shauna Dennett
Roy and Lin Ealden
Suzie Ealden
Paige Ferguson
Jane Frenchette
Claire Gaydon
Andy and Gillian Fox
Sarah Greenshields
Simon Hollingworth
Anna Hughes
Carol Morgan
Al Orange
Amy O'Sullivan
Adam Pablo Pownall
Dawn Richmond Gordon
Wilkin Chapman Ltd.
FAQs
Zest Theatre makes work that is often described as interactive, immersive, site-specific or promenade. Because our shows are a bit different audiences can sometimes have lots of questions or feeling wary about coming. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Thrive to help you get the most from the experience:
What is the Thrive experience like?
The show takes place in a visually stunning set made up of 9 interlocking ladders. The set surrounds the audience to create a unique, 360° experience with beautiful lighting and suround sound. Collectively the audience are cast as the community of friends, family and neighbours of our 3 young characters. You will literally stand shoulder to shoulder with them on their journey through the story.
Is there seating?
We do have some limited seating should you need to rest your feet. But this isn’t your usual kind of theatre experience; you are in control of your own experience. This means you can choose to sit on one of the chairs, stand, walk around, or sit on the floor. One of our production team is always on hand, so if you aren’t sure of what to do then make sure you ask for help. We suggest wearing comfortable shoes.
Is the show accessible to wheelchairs?
Yes, again, let us know and one of our production team will gladly make sure you have the best possible experience of the show.
The show sounds like it is interactive? Does that mean I'll be made to do something embarrassing? It all sounds a bit scary.
Please don't be scared! Yes, the show is interactive in places, but not as interactive as some of our previous work. Our characters will talk directly to you and may invite you to get involved. But no one is going to make you do anything you don't want to do. If you aren't up for it then just say no and the cast will leave you alone. BUT the closer you get to the action the more you'll get out of the experience.
What should I wear?
Anything you feel comfortable in!
Does this show have headphones like your other shows?
No, we don’t use the headphones in this one.
Who is it suitable for?
The show is suitable for those aged 14+. Thrive has been developed to target those aged 14 - 19. However, the show is really universal in its themes and will be enjoyed by people much older than our target audience.
What is the content like?
Thrive follows 3 young people as they deal with the sudden death of a friend. The content is often emotional with some strong language; we are happy to chat this through if you'd like to know more. But this isn't designed to be a depressing night at the theatre! We developed the show with Psychologists who specialise in an area of research called Post Traumatic Growth - the positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. So, the show isn’t really about the traumatic event, instead it's about finding hope when the going gets tough. Thrive deals with the subjects of death, dying and grief with courage, optimism and lots of humour. Audiences leave feeling reflective and thoughtful. Please see the Help and Advice section above should you be affected by any of the issues raised in the performance.
Any more questions? Then don't hesitate to get back to us!
For the last twenty years or so, psychologists have studied the incredible strength of character that can emerge in a minority of people when they face painful events. Twenty years of research tells us that these events needn’t destroy us – in some cases, they can make us stronger. Some people become wiser, others kinder, others more connected. Pain develops people in all kinds of ways. This field of research is called Post Traumatic Growth, and forms the basis of the psychology surrounding the characters in Thrive.