Over eight weeks in the summer of 2022 and again at the start of 2024, we gathered with participants from Brent and further afield and asked the questions: how do we find joy in processing grief through sound and song? What are the musical elements of loss and grief?

Both rounds of the project explored the musical elements of how grief is expressed communally across different cultures and the participants, led by Theatre Director David Ashley alongside Dramatherapist Wabriya King, explored a range of vocal and breath exercises and learnt to sing together as a group to form a ‘Grief Chorus’. Through structured play and a framework of working from and responding to the body, they dug into how we respond to grief as humans, all while finding joy in singing together.

The project culminated in an informal sharing of a meal, conversation and performance for family and friends.

Find out more: www.complicite.org/projects/grief-chorus/

Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Video by Giovanni Edwards