I Don't Belong Here

“I don’t belong here - Stories and Songs Remembered"
A play with music written by Joëlle Rabu in collaboration with Kelly Wyatt
Featuring Joëlle Rabu, Kelly Wyatt, Nico Rhodes
Directed by Kymme Patrick
Music Direction / Arrangements by Nico Rhodes

A poignant musical interpretation of a day in the life of residents at a dementia care facility.

Through a blend of grief and humor, the audience is invited to witness the daily struggles and triumphs of the residents as they grapple with the gradual loss of Self.
Moments of clarity intertwine with confusion, and bittersweet recollections are juxtaposed with fleeting glimpses of the present. Musically supported by the bold and aching melodies of the late Harry Nilsson provide a haunting backdrop for this performance exposé.

Joëlle’s compelling vocal interpretations and her chameleon-like portrayals of a dozen of the 22 featured characters such as the residents, care aides and visiting family members alike are buoyed by Kelly Wyatt’s colourful supporting characters and vocal harmonies, while music director, Nico Rhodes, also playing supporting roles, renders homage with insightful musical arrangements of the timeless musical brilliance of the late Harry Nilsson.

“I Don’t Belong Here – Stories and Songs Remembered” offers a compassionate, nuanced approach to dementia - one that embraces empathy, humour, and humanity for those living with it, those who love them, and those who care for them.

But don’t let the subject matter fool you, this is not a bleak tale. The script balances absurdity with poignancy, grief with laughter, and ultimately affirms the power of connection, even at the edge of forgetting.

*This play contains mature subject matter. Not recommended for young audiences*