Phoenix is a joyful, rallying cry of a show for women, inspiring and empowering them to break free from control and boldly step into their most authentic, joyful selves. Using spoken word poetry, movement & live percussion, Phoenix is a call to arms to take back your power and live your one precious life as fully and vibrantly as possible. Come journey with us!
‘‘Phoenix should be prescribed by every therapist." - Audience member, 2024
Our story
Hello I’m Helen, a London based actor and poet. I’ve been writing and performing spoken word poetry since 2017. After graduating from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2023, armed with hundreds of poems and the conviction that I wanted to create a show called 'Phoenix', I began working with the Director Marcus Bazley (Artistic Director of Cyphers Theatre Company) and together with the International Percussionist Manu Joste (The Royal Academy of Music), we started to thread the poems together, creating a story exploring relationships, authenticity and the messy joy of being alive. Cue Movement Director Gen Labuschagne (RADA) who came on board to develop the physical theatre elements of the piece and Artist Gabrielle Seguin (The Royal College of Art) who created the original Phoenix design below, and our creative team was complete. During the summer of 2023 we spent a sweaty week of R&D at Proteus Theatre in Basingstoke as part of their Performance Lab programme and it was there that Phoenix was born.
Reception for Phoenix
The show was first performed to a sell out audience in London at The Bloomsbury Festival in October 2023 and has since been performed at the Bloomsbury Festival 2024 and The Voila! Festival. Audience feedback includes:
‘Entirely captivating. Really witty, inspiring and moving.’
‘Phoenix should be prescribed by every therapist. I felt so good when I left the theatre. Healed in depth.’
‘Helen's comic timing and effervescent physicality make this a captivating hour of music, movement and rhyme.’
‘Masterful. A fantastic night’
‘Simply fantastic. Incredible’
Next steps
So far, Phoenix has been completely self financed. However for the upcoming performances in Basingstoke and Cheltenham in April 2025 we’re asking for your help! We are raising £5000 to cover rehearsal and performance costs for the creative team, travel expenses to the venues and accommodation in Cheltenham. Any remaining proceeds will go towards a larger scale tour in 2026. Whatever you’re able to contribute will be so gratefully received.
It is a challenging time for artists and theatre makers, but we are creative and industrious by nature and by generously donating to this project you’re not only financially supporting us but more importantly, you’re supporting the arts as a whole.
I wholeheartedly believe in the uplifting power art and creativity have on both our individual and collective wellbeing. They have the power to connect, heal and change us for the better. We are all integral to this creative wellbeing - whether as a performer on stage, a supportive audience member, or a generous donor - we are all needed. So whatever your role, thank you for your support!
Phoenix 2025 dates & tickets:
10 April 2025, 7.30pm - Proteus Theatre, Basingstoke
16 April 2025, 7.45pm - Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, , Cheltenham