The beaches are lovely. Remembering is crass, embarrassing, and in poor taste. But to
remember is to return. If we cannot return, where do we start from? Come to laugh, to
cry and to feel awkward. Whatever it is, we will survive it – survival being an art. Or an
embarrassment?
The Return follows a young woman's escape from the aftermath of her war-torn country in
search of safety and belonging. Now, having settled and found a home in Britain, history
comes back to haunt her as she finds herself fighting the same battles again thirty years
later.
Combining storytelling, movement, poetry and digital art The Return asks questions about
identity, bureaucracy and collective memory.
Based on real life experiences of living in Croatia during the breakup of former Yugoslavia
this devised production is a testament to the resilience of the human connection. The
piece unveils fragments of a family history, delves into the surreal circumstances
surrounding conflict and explores what goes into finding hope and peace. Expect touching,
visual theatre with a disarming dry-wit humour.
Written and performed by Natasha Stanic Mann
Lighting Design: Josephine Tremelling
Sound Design: Valentino Nioi, Chris Prosho
Projection Design: Blanca Regina
Director: Andres Velasquez
Music by Iva Bittova
Inspired by the poem ‘The Return’ by Dobriša Cesaric
"breath-taking, striking, thought-provoking" ????? Everything Theatre
"Engaging performance...evokes the experience of being blown around by winds you
cannot control" The Stage
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