Help Us Raise the Curtain on our New Play

I don’t belong here – Stories and Songs at the Edge of Forgetting
a play written & performed by Joëlle Rabu in collaboration with Kelly Wyatt

“I Don’t Belong Here – Stories & Songs at the Edge of Forgetting” is a powerful 2-act play with music that takes audiences on a journey through a day in a dementia care facility. Award-winning singer-actor, Joëlle Rabu, delivers a powerful performance, embodying the perspectives of residents, care aides, and family members alike, revealing the raw emotions of grief, frustration, sadness, and unexpected humour that define their lives. Joëlle’s chameleon-like portrayals of more than a dozen different characters combined with her compelling vocal interpretations are buoyed by co-author Kelly Wyatt’s colourful supporting characters as she gently weaves the essential threads of constant, compassion, care, and connections.

The scenes are supported by the brilliance of music director-pianist and supporting actor Nico Rhodes, whose insightful musical arrangements render homage to the poignant lyrics and beautiful melodies of the late Harry Nilsson’ timeless songs, offering  a deeply human and imaginative exploration of dementia, capturing the profound moments of connection and disconnection.

This minimalist-styled stage production features a carefully woven sequence of 15 musical vignettes that bring to life the stories of residents such as:  Stanley, desperate to escape; Bess and Louise long-time friends unknowingly reunited in the residence; Jim, who, day after day, waits patiently at the door in a constant vigil for his deceased wife; Lia, who while visiting her sleeping grandmother confesses her life’s challenges; Edgar, once a prominent lawyer, confronts Death in a humorous, imaginary courtroom battle defending his perspectives on the right to die; Ruth who reluctantly moves into the residence brought in by her guilt-ridden daughter who is no longer able to care for her; opera singer Vladimir, who, haunted by his muse Hanya, finds solace in reliving the glory of his past stage performances; to the irreverent Josephine who discovers the joy of internet-chatting with her son, to the psychological burden Care aides Carol and Annie experience as they become the “keepers of memories”. Through these very real and colourful characters, the play weaves moments of vulnerability adding flashes of levity which reflect the sometimes-challenging absurdities of the aging mind, all the while reminding us of our shared humanity and the enduring beauty in life’s greatest challenges.

Written by Joëlle Rabu and Kelly Wyatt
Music Director/Arrangements by Nico Rhodes
Directed by Kymme Patrick

PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

Help Us Raise the Curtain
on our New Play

I don’t belong here – Stories and Songs at the Edge of Forgetting
a play written & performed by Joëlle Rabu in collaboration with Kelly Wyatt

“I Don’t Belong Here – Stories & Songs at the Edge of Forgetting” is a powerful 2-act play with music that takes audiences on a journey through a day in a dementia care facility. Award-winning singer-actor, Joëlle Rabu, delivers a powerful performance, embodying the perspectives of residents, care aides, and family members alike, revealing the raw emotions of grief, frustration, sadness, and unexpected humour that define their lives. Joëlle’s chameleon-like portrayals of more than a dozen different characters combined with her compelling vocal interpretations are buoyed by co-author Kelly Wyatt’s colourful supporting characters as she gently weaves the essential threads of constant, compassion, care, and connections.

The scenes are supported by the brilliance of music director-pianist and supporting actor Nico Rhodes, whose insightful musical arrangements render homage to the poignant lyrics and beautiful melodies of the late Harry Nilsson’ timeless songs, offering  a deeply human and imaginative exploration of dementia, capturing the profound moments of connection and disconnection.

This minimalist-styled stage production features a carefully woven sequence of 15 musical vignettes that bring to life the stories of residents such as:  Stanley, desperate to escape; Bess and Louise long-time friends unknowingly reunited in the residence; Jim, who, day after day, waits patiently at the door in a constant vigil for his deceased wife; Lia, who while visiting her sleeping grandmother confesses her life’s challenges; Edgar, once a prominent lawyer, confronts Death in a humorous, imaginary courtroom battle defending his perspectives on the right to die; Ruth who reluctantly moves into the residence brought in by her guilt-ridden daughter who is no longer able to care for her; opera singer Vladimir, who, haunted by his muse Hanya, finds solace in reliving the glory of his past stage performances; to the irreverent Josephine who discovers the joy of internet-chatting with her son, to the psychological burden Care aides Carol and Annie experience as they become the “keepers of memories”. Through these very real and colourful characters, the play weaves moments of vulnerability adding flashes of levity which reflect the sometimes-challenging absurdities of the aging mind, all the while reminding us of our shared humanity and the enduring beauty in life’s greatest challenges.

Written by Joëlle Rabu and Kelly Wyatt
Music Director/Arrangements by Nico Rhodes
Directed by Kymme Patrick

PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

Joëlle Rabu
Concept creator, Co-author, Actor, Singer

Kelly Wyatt
Co-author, Actor, Singer

Nico Rhodes
Music Director, Arranger, Actor, Singer