A powerful new play about people living with dementia in Wales has played to sell out audiences across Wales over the last four weeks.

The play entitled Belonging has received unanimous acclaim from theatre audiences, health care professionals and theatre critics alike as it tackles a difficult subject rarely talked about on or off the stage in Wales and it is about to end this incredible tour at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon with two performances at 2pm and 7.30pm on June 8.

The production follows two families who are both facing a diagnosis of dementia on a close family member and fear, denial and confusion soon ensue but its warmth, humour and compassion that shine through in this drama. 

Members of the theatre and health care fraternities have welcomed Re-Live’s approach to using drama to inform and inspire people about dementia.

“In 40 years of nursing I’ve never seen anything like Belonging,” said one theatregoer from Milford Haven.

Care worker Christine Jenkins added, “All the training I’ve been on has nothing on what I took away with me last night. Everyone who cares for people with dementia needs to see this.”.

This bilingual production is produced by Re-Live, a Welsh-based theatre company whose ethos is to create theatre and ‘life story work’ with people at the margins of society. Writer Karin Diamond’s in-depth interviews with people living with dementia, family members and professional carers ensured her script would capture the real experiences of people in Wales living with a dementia diagnosis.

“Belonging dispels the myths of dementia and shines a light on how a dementia-friendly Wales can be created just by being yourself, being in the moment…belonging,” said writer Karin Diamond. 

The play is directed by Peter Doran who has enjoyed huge success in the last year with his play Grav, a one-man show about the life of Ray Gravell.  

Tickets (£10/£8/£5) are available now by calling Theatr Brycheiniog or by visiting re-live.org.uk/belonging