I don't Belong Here - Songs & Stories Remembered

The choice of the title was based on the most commonly heard sentence in dementia residences: “I don’t belong here”.

I Don’t Belong Here – Stories and Songs Remembered is a poignant, powerfully human stage production that explores life within a dementia care facility through a minimalist theatrical lens. Told through a carefully composed sequence of 15 vignettes and supported by song, the production brings to life 22 distinct characters: memory-care residents navigating shifting realities and blurred recollections; visiting family members grappling with guilt, grief, and the complex emotions of anticipated loss; and compassionate care aides who bear daily witness to the slow unraveling of memory, working to preserve dignity, spark laughter, and nurture connection. This intimate three-person ensemble piece balances emotional gravity with flashes of absurdity and unexpected levity, illuminating the often surreal and surprisingly tender moments that surface at the edge of forgetting.

But don’t let the subject matter fool you - this is not a bleak tale. The script deftly weaves vulnerability with humour, sorrow with song, and reflection with resilience, ultimately offering a deeply affirming meditation on love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

The Music: The bold and aching melodies of the late Harry Nilsson provide a haunting backdrop for this performance exposé, which delves into the lonely existence of fading memories, puzzling uncertainty, and, at times, droll perceptions of people whose lives once reflected brilliance, talent, and vitality. Harry Nilsson is still considered the most underrated singer-songwriter of the post-war era. His knowledge of the form and structure of almost every genre of popular music was encyclopedic, as were his intense observations on the absurdities, fragilities, and wonders of life. The choice to feature his beautiful, uncluttered music was clear: it transcends generations and styles and candidly resonates with everyday life.

A play written by Joëlle Rabu in collaboration with Kelly Wyatt, directed by Kymme Patrick, and Music Direction / Arrangements by Nico Rhodes.

Tickets

$41 Adults
$37 Seniors/Youth

TICKETS ON SALE JULY 23 AT 10 AM

Contains mature themes and language.

joellerabu.com