The team behind ‘Dear Eliza’ are thrilled to be raising money for MIND, an incredible charity that does a vast amount of work to improve the lives of those affected by mental health disorders and illnesses. It would be difficult to summarise all of the work that they do: from running a helpline, to providing unbiased and accessible information and resources, to campaigning for better healthcare – the importance of what they do cannot be understated, nor the impact of it.

Barbara Diesel, the writer & performer for Dear Eliza, chose MIND because of her firsthand experience of their services, as well as seeing the benefit of those around her because of their work. Her debut short-play, Dear Eliza, is born out of her frustration at the way the arts and media depict mentally ill characters and is inspired partially by her own experiences with a mental health disorder.

ABOUT DEAR ELIZA:

Dear Eliza is a brand new short-play, interrogating the strain of mental ill health on friendships. Raw and cynical, yet rich with playful allegories, this one-person performance is very much about confronting unexpressed emotions within relationships, and saying out loud what you’d rather keep inside your head.

In a culture that either villainises of victimises the mentally ill, Dear Eliza navigates the grey area with guts and defiance. The play explores the uncomfortable, the ugly, and the brutally candid. Its intentionally subversive narrative and allegorical language work in tandem to create a piece that should inspire conversation, reflection, and debate. We want every audience member to take away something different from the performance – as long as they come away feeling like they have learned, discovered, understood, or questioned something!

WHY RAISE MONEY FOR MIND?

There is so much to be said for the importance of theatre. It is a safe space for humans to investigate and confront difficult ideas and feelings; it is a way of us connecting to people we maybe wouldn’t previously have understood; it is a tool for us to learn in a visceral and impactful way. It can be the first step for many people to realise something about themselves, have a moment of self-reflection, or even simply share a connection with a friend. Ultimately, even in small ways, theatre changes us.

With that being said, the real change comes in the aftermath. Changing minds is one thing, but how do we change the world around us?

By fundraising for MIND, the team behind Dear Eliza hope to channel the effect of theatre into very real actions and changes. We hope to bring awareness to a really fantastic charity and raise money for an organisation that does so much, every single day, to help vulnerable people in need of support. Even if this fundraiser only raises £1, we will have contributed to a solid step in the right direction. So, no matter how much you can afford to share, your contribution is hugely appreciated. Thank you!

Find out more about Dear Eliza at dearelizaplay.co.uk