A theatre production that explores grief and bereavement from a child’s perspective has proved a hit with school pupils in Cornwall.
Commissioned by Headstart Kernow, which is part of Cornwall Council, ‘Grandma on the Moon’ tells the story of two siblings on a mission to find out where their grandma has gone since she died.
Above: The cast of Grandma on the Moon with audience member Lauren Capaldi, far right, and her son Theo
Timmy, aged 10, knows death means ‘you don’t come back’ but his sister Poppy, aged five, doesn’t and is determined to find her grandma to “tell her something really important”.
Performed by Az2B Theatre Company, the story is told through drama, music, movement and narration.
In the past month there have been five performances in Liskeard, St Austell and Penzance attended by pupils from 17 schools who have described it as “heartfelt” and “extremely funny”.
The production was funded by the council’s Resettlement Service and Awena, Cornwall’s Virtual School.
Tracy Bowers, Headstart Kernow workforce development lead with Cornwall Council, said:
“A grandparent passing away is often a child’s first experience of death and means that they are not only managing the loss of that person but also the confusing and sometimes scary questions about death itself.
“Grandma on the Moon is a beautiful story which seeks to address this, raising awareness and understanding of the bereavement process from a child’s perspective and encouraging us to have open, honest conversations.
“It shows how children grieve differently to adults which can often lead to misunderstanding and confusion. We also see the impact of memories and the importance of keeping those we have loved alive within our hearts and minds even though they are no longer with us.
“The feedback we have had so far has been overwhelmingly positive and we hope to invite even more children to watch Grandma on the Moon in 2025.”
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, said:
“Helping our children and young people deal with grief is extremely important so I’m delighted this play, commissioned by our brilliant people at Headstart Kernow, is proving such a success.
"Death and bereavement are often still taboo subjects which makes them so much harder and more complicated to deal with, especially for children. Initiatives like this really help smash these taboos and show that talking about people who are no longer with us,and holding on to those precious memories we have of them, will keep them alive in our hearts and minds.”
Belinda Lazenby, artistic director at Az2B Theatre Company, said:
“It is wonderful that Headstart have commissioned these performances across Cornwall, they really value the power of The Arts to make a difference in children’s lives.”
After seeing Grandma on the Moon, one school pupil said: “I think it was really emotional because it made me feel and think about my grandads that died.”
Liskeard Hillfort Primary School said: “Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity. The performance was amazing. I honestly wouldn’t have been able to explain or describe grief in the way this performance did. It was so heartfelt, warm and extremely funny.”
Mousehole School said: “Really good production, and important conversations. The children thoroughly enjoyed it.”
To find out how your school can get involved email tracy.bowers@cornwall.gov.uk For more information visit the Headstart Kernow website.
Press release issued on October 28, 2024.