A one-woman theatre company in Nottingham is to stage a play exploring how ‘heartbreak’ affects heart health to coincide with a month of events raising awareness for heart disease.
Supported by the British Heart Foundation, A Tale of Two Woman will look into how feelings, psychological issues and emotional issues can affect the way we look after ourselves and how it impacts on our health.
The theatre company, mon0lisa Productions, aims to use the play to raise awareness for heart health in Nottingham’s African Caribbean community, part of ongoing work the company has been doing.
Lisa Jackson, the actor and writer behind the one-woman theatre company says:
I hope it touches audiences, making them think about how health and well-being can be affected by things we don’t usually think about.
“The play is called A Tale of Two Woman to reflect Jamaican patois and it explores the emotional and psychological issues involved in health and well-being, against a backdrop of Jamaican and British cultural identity.
“It’s a story of friendship, love, betrayal and loss.”
The work is part of the Hearts and Minds programme being run by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with Nottingham community organisations, aiming to tackle heart health issues in Nottingham’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.
This is the first programme of its kind in the UK outside of London.
Ali Orhan, project manager for BME Communities at the British Heart Foundation, says:
Her inspiring play brings to life the very real struggles that thousands of people are living with each day.
“Lisa has worked tirelessly with Nottingham’s African Caribbean communities to highlight their increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
“Making healthier choices can feel overwhelming, which is why this year our Heart Month is about making small, sustainable changes to your lifestyle that can have a lasting impact.”
Mon0lisa Productions works with a number of Nottingham organisations, including schools, Nottingham Trent University and NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group to tackle a range of issues using drama.
For more information on mon0lisa Production’s work you can click here.
The play is being held at The New Art Exchange, 39-41 Gregory Boulevard, on February 26 at 1pm, 27 February at 7pm and 28 February at 1pm and 7pm.
To find out more or to book a ticket you can call the New Art Exchange box office on 0115 924 8630. Tickets are also available to buy at Chez Coor’s on Mansfield Road and Ultimate Barbers on Radford Road.
