A changing selection of landmark films from the Rosetta Life story.
1. The Early Years
When Andrew was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago his wife Cath committed herself to the primary carer role. Life was fine for a few years. In fact they found they had more quality time together…
A Newfound Mind
Rosetta Life Brain Odysseys Ambassadors perform their journey of recovery live on stage, October 19, 2022.
Breaking Point
One day Cath realised she just couldn’t go on. She told Andrew she was leaving him, for someone else. He was devastated at first. But then he began to see things differently. Perhaps some good could come out of this tough situation?
Lylia’s song
Lylia recalls her Isle of Barra childhood and a special stone her father led her to. Set by Capercaillie’s Donald Shaw. Performed by the Anna Massey Band
Rosetta Life – 2022
A short film that showcases the amazing projects we have produced with our Brain Ambassadors partners through 2022
Stroke Odysseys UK Tour 2018
Five Stroke Odysseys Ambassadors in recovery from stroke take to the road performing in the acclaimed UK wide tour of Stroke Odysseys.
The Big Stage
Rosetta Life Stroke Ambassadors describe the experience of performing their own stroke stories on the main stage at Garsington Opera.
Weather the Storm
An opera from Rosetta Life Odysseys Ambassadors, in a Rosetta Life – Garsington Opera collaboration. Composed by Orlando Gough, three dramatic interwoven stories of stroke recovery drawn from the words and experiences of stroke survivors.
Spirals
Rosetta Life Stroke Ambassadors explore how the idea of the spiral embodies their lived experience of illness. In this film, their own camerawork, lyric writing, singing, dancing and image-making witnesses the two-steps-forward-one-step-back story of recovery from brain-injury. This remarkable performance shows what can be learnt and achieved online, under lockdown conditions and, crucially, the welcome …
A Little Mouse in a Huge World
A vision dance – five people who are living in recovery from stroke explore the impact of their condition on vision. A simple dance reveals many hidden challenges.
I Look for the Think
Imagining life after stroke during lockdown. A 12 minute online opera from Rosetta Life Stroke Ambassadors and Garsington Opera Adult Community Company. Composer Orlando Gough. Libretto by Lucinda Jarrett and Chris Rawlence, from the words and experiences of the Stroke Community, who also perform.
Choochi
A much loved cat called Choochi is all the more treasured during lockdown. Produced with a group of people living with the effects of a stroke in London, this film explores the challenges of lockdown and how our pets have helped us cope with its stresses. Music by Jules Maxwell.
Learn from Us
Thoughts about what matters in life from People living with Brain Injury. Produced in partnership with Headway West London, this film invites us to learn from those who have had their lives changed by brain injury, and to face a life with a pandemic with optimism and resilience. Song composed by Orlando Gough.
Zig Zag
March 2020. Rosetta Life and Bristolians living with Stroke devise a show inspired by their stroke stories and perform it in on the Stroke of Bristol, Southmead, Hospital, and nearby Greenway Community Centre.
this.here
The Stroke Ambassadors rehearse their new show for the Stroke Association Annual Conference in Telford, Dec 2019
Through the Window
Produced and made with a group of people living with the effects of a stroke in North London, this film invites us simply to find a response to the pandemic by looking through the windows. Music made by Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian with recordings from all participants
Journey to a Word
Stroke Survivors share their personal journeys on the road to recovery through dance and song.
Dream a Difference
Royal Albert Hall, 18 March 2019. School children from across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire connect chorally with young communities in Gaza, Damascus, Dhaka and Kampala. Composer and MD Hannah Conway, Director Karen Gillingham, Libretto by Lucinda Jarrett and Chris Rawlence from skypes with the global participants. A four minute clip.
The Stroke Ambassadors
Stroke Survivors tell how their lives have been transformed by joining the Stroke Odysseys project. Meet our proud Stroke Ambassadors advocating for life after stroke.
Healing the Brain – Stroke and Creativity
Stroke Odysseys. Four consultant neurologists and Rosetta Life artists explore neuroplasticity and the potential for creativity to heal the stroke damaged brain. People in recovery from stroke point the way.
Stroke Odysseys UK Tour
Stroke survivors team up with professional dancers and musicians to perform themselves in Rosetta Life’s ground-breaking piece. Choreographer Ben Duke. Composer Orlando Gough. UK tour autumn 2018.
The Glass Half Full (18.00)
Linda, 40, decides to stop cancer treatment even though she knows that this will probably shorten her life. 100,000 views, and counting, on Youtube, across the world.
3. The Accident (1:53)
When John was young engine driver a steam loco ran over his foot and he lost five toes. They said it was his fault. There was no compensation.
From the bedroom to bathroom, passing white owls in flight (5:25)
A remarkable fusion of movement and poetry led by Sue who has motor neurone disease. Reinvents the concept of slow. With Myton Hospice.
Pathways in the brain (3:46)
Kimberley is severely disabled. She has no speech yet she is profoundly musical in the face serious neurological damage.
6. Drinking without thinking (1:46)
How can the simple act of drinking require such care and attention? Ask Collette who finds it hard to hold a cup. Composed by Orlando Gough for Rosetta Life’s The Mariners.
14. Muriel’s dream (2:40)
The doll goes diving into the depth’s of Muriel’s dreams, where she rides a glorious white horse in the face of death. Composed by Orlando Gough for Rosetta Life’s The Mariners.
Pelussy who dares (4:14)
Pelussy performs a contact dance with Moreno Solenas. Stroke Odysseys creative workshop, 2016.
Redefining beauty at the V&A (3:18)
Redefining Beauty dance performance by older people, inspired by pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron exhibition at the V&A.
I dream able-bodied (7:14)
Lil was disabled by a stroke but she dreams able-bodied. Stroke Odysseys performance sharing, 2016.
