Post-traumatic stress explored in production by Vamos Theatre at the Theatre Royal

The UK’s leading full mask theatre company, Vamos Theatre, is bringing its new production A Brave Face to Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds in April.

Afghanistan: 2009. Ryan is there to see the world, learn a trade and get a life. Training’s complete, combat is a buzz. But on one particularly hot and desperate tour of duty, Ryan sees things he can’t talk about, to anyone. And when he returns home, the trouble really begins.

Created from two years of research with ex and serving soldiers, families and health professionals, A Brave Face explores post-traumatic stress, an unseen and often unrecognised injury of war, and the impact it can have on even the closest of families. With compassion and fearlessness, Vamos brings its trademark, wordless, full mask style to a story that needs to be told.

Artistic Director Rachael Savage has been at the forefront of the research, which has seen her meeting not only veterans, but their families, serving personnel, organisations and professionals who support those living with PTS.

Rachael promises that A Brave Face, whilst sometimes being raw, is also often funny and always compassionate. Whilst the show’s objective is to highlight how some people living with PTS are feeling failed by the system, it does so in a way that good theatre can – by showing the human story behind the labels and statistics, and the importance of creating hope.

Tickets for the show, which takes place on Monday, April 23, are on sale at the Box Office, call 01284 769505, book online at www.theatreroyal.org/shows/a-brave-face/ or visit the theatre in person.

Pictured above is a scene from Vamos Theatre’s production of A Brave Face. PHOTO: Graeme Braidwood.