...a new work in development exploring what a 'nice' death might look like, and how to have one.
Have a nice death...
‘Have a Nice Death’ is part wake, part disco, part sandwich-fest. Led by Suzy, this is an immersive performance, and collective gathering. This is a space to acknowledge our own mortality, and through this, affirm and celebrate our life. This is a work in progress.
As Suzy grew up, people disappeared. One day they were next door, the next day they were gone. Lost lives, stolen moments and final embraces. It was an undeclared civil war. In the midst of this we drank tea, did jobs and went to school. But we did not talk about the people who disappeared. Why? Because it was happening everywhere, all around us every day...”
“30 years on, and in the wake of the COVID pandemic during which my father passed, I have seen a lot of ‘bad’ deaths. Finally, I wish to embark on a quest to understand what a "nice" death might look like, and how to have one.”
With elements of performance, and collective gathering, Have A Nice Death is a way of creating a sense of community, creativity, connection and care around an issue that affects everyone but is rarely talked about.
Susan presented a live sharing of this piece November 2024 during Making More Waves, a festival that celebrates the incredible talents of East Kent, in partnership with Ark (formerly Cliftonville Cultural Space) and at The Alex, Faversham.
Have a Nice Death has been commissioned by Looping the Loop as part of Making More Waves festival following on from a successful seed commission in 2023. The piece is being created with kind support from Arts Council England and in collaboration with Pilgrims Hospice.
'I can’t wait to see more. I loved it as is and could have carried on watching and listening,
but I also can’t wait to see what it becomes.'
'I’m all for greater openness about death. Great that someone’s speaking about it.'
90% OF AUDIENCE EXPERIENCED FEELINGS OF JOY, HAPPINESS & NOSTALGIA
80% OF AUDIENCE FELT THAT THEY RECEIVED CARE THROUGHOUT THE PERFORMANCE