The Martinsey Isle Trust

The Art of Dying (and Living)

Natural Burial honouring
life's sacred thresholds

Creating an idyll of
Martinsey and Lidney Islands

What Makes a Good Death

- The Art of Dying (and Living)

In light of the recent government initiative and an increased awareness in professional and academic circles, we feel that this project has particular relevance to today's climate for end-of-life-care.

Project:

Touring the play "Colder Than Here", which deals with a mother dying of cancer and how she and the family deal with this situation - and following this "process", this "journey".

Its Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to promote dialogue to help release some of the taboo, fear, denial and guilt around the subjects of death and dying and to bring awareness of the choices available; to offer a means of dialogue in a place of safely; and to answer educational needs where appropriate.

A post-production discussion with cast director and producer/instigator routinely accompanies the play.

We also offer a pre-production play reading workshop, workshops; and where necessary a psychotherapist or counsellor is available for support.

Performances

Through the generosity of "Taboo Theatre Company", created by them especially for us for this project, we have performed the play for almost two years. Not only have we taken it to the larger public but also to the closed communities of hospice and prison as part of an education programme, with plans for further productions within the public and private arena. Hopefully will also take it to the army, schools, colleges and universities - anywhere willing to focus on this sensitive subject.

We have been accepted to take the play to the International Arts Conference in Venice 2009 and are in conversation with Durham University about the possibility of making it part of the 2009 International Death, Dying and Disposal Conference.

We offer the performance free of charge to the closed communities and make a minimum charge to the wider public in order to draw people in to this delicate subject. To date we are entirely self-funding.

Allied work

We augment this with talks, workshops and event days related to death, dying and bereavement and Resource opportunities for those working in this field and those seeking help or information - in conjunction with others. (See also Transitus)

Also see Transitus.

The Martinsey Isle Trust

Ivy Cottage, Bath Road
Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1DU, UK

Telephone: 01258 475 125 |