Race and Allyship Training
We were pleased to premiere Dynamic Flights in Spring 2025 with a small tour to community and arts venues in Sheffield and Doncaster.
It’s nearly spring and the sun is shining. Upbeat and energetic Bee decides that today is the perfect day to mend past discord with their best friend Dee by heading out on a hike and reconnecting with nature. But while Bee is ready for fresh air and new perspectives, Dee would much rather stay wrapped up in the comfort of their bed.
Directed by Maya Productions’ Artistic Director Suzanne Gorman this is an uplifting, funny, and heart-warming play. It explores friendship, wellbeing, and self-discovery, reminding us that, no matter who we are, we all need kindness, understanding, and access to nature.
“Shake the dust from my feet, and the blues from my brain.
I can feel like a whole human being again!”
The play, by Rotherham writer Tair Rafiq, with music by Sheffield composer Dan Loops, was developed through a two-year arts and mental health participation project delivered in partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA).
The project worked closely with residents at two SYHA residential schemes.Through a series of participatory sessions, residents and artists collaborated to explore themes, develop characters, imagine locations, contribute to set design ideas, take part in script readings, and shape the music for the show. The title Dynamic Flights itself was inspired by a poem written by one of the project participants.
Audience feedback from the tour included:
“My own mental health is rocky today but I feel better for seeing a play that has a real community feel to it.”
“Brilliant show – well written and beautifully performed.”
“It speaks to everyone.”
“I loved it – it was such fun. The characters were so real and believable, it was funny ,bright and refreshing.”
“Full of beautiful observation and comedy and beautiful words.”
“Really enjoyed the theme, the inclusivity, the warmth.”
“I enjoyed every minute of it. It was wonderful to hear everyone laughing together.”
THE DYNAMIC FLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS
THE DYNAMIC FLIGHTS PERFORMERS
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager / Assistant Director
Florence Gill
Writer
Tair Rafiq
Costume / Set Designer
Thananya Kaewsanthia
Dynamic Flights was a participation project delivered in partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA). We worked with residents at two housing schemes, Lister Project and Beaufort Project, both established for people with long-term mental health needs.
Dynamic Flights aimed to increase the number of global majority artists working in arts and mental health, and to support residents to develop their creativity and contribute to a piece of new theatre.
Gallery of artwork from sessions at Beaufort and Lister
The first phase of the project commenced in the spring of 2023 with 12 weekly creative workshops run by 3 artists/facilitators with assistance from a trainee artist. The workshops explored areas such as storytelling, movement, drawing and creative writing.
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