J'AIME MARCH 2019

“I had a real transition, going from
thinking I wasn’t interested in making a
show about the military, to being really
passionate about making a show about
the military.”
Created from two years of research
with ex and serving soldiers, families
and health professionals, A Brave Face
explores Post-Traumatic Stress, an unseen
and often unrecognised injury of war,
and the impact it can have on even the
closest of families. With compassion
and fearlessness, Vamos brings its this
important story to life in its trademark,
wordless, full mask style.
“It’s a long and often painful process,” says Rachael.
“The research isn’t easy, but what drives me is my
passion for making sure these stories are told.
“A Brave Face was based on lots of different people’s
stories; the list of military, ex-military, wives and
partners, parents and health professionals who have
contributed to the show is endless.”
One such contributor is army veteran Ray Anderton,
who has acted as a consultant throughout the
development of A Brave Face, even going as far as
to sit in on rehearsals now the start of the tour is
imminent.
“I was lucky enough to meet Ray a couple of years
A BRAVE FACE COMES
TO THE LICHFIELD
GARRICK THIS MONTH
THE SHOW IS ‘A STORY
WHICH NEEDS TO BE
TOLD’ SAYS RACHAEL
ago and he really has guided me every step of the
way; he’s been a real driving force who has helped to
mould the story of Ryan,” says Rachael.
“And to have him in rehearsals is amazing; he makes
sure we get everything just right. It would be too
easy for someone from the military to come to the
show and pick fault with the tiny details which then
takes away from the real value of the piece, so having
Ray on board to make sure the details are spot on is
fantastic.”
A long time advocate of masked theatre, Rachael
believes it is the perfect medium for her hard-hitting
and emotional brand of storytelling.
“Because of the stories I want to tell, the genre of
full mask theatre really suits it,” explains Rachael.
“As an audience member you have to engage so fully
and meet the actor halfway. For me, full mask theatre
is brilliant because it makes people feel. There’s a
much deeper level of empathy, and in making people
feel, you can make them think.
“Working without words creates a personal kind
of communication, in which difficult issues can be
more easily approached. Because the words aren’t
there, each audience member creates their own
story internally and in encourages a real emotional
connection with the characters.”
A Brave Face features renowned mask actor
James Greaves as Ryan, as well as physical theatre
actors João Ricardo Aguiar, Joshua Patel, Sophia
Knox-Miller and Tessa Gaukroger. And the masks
themselves are as much stars of the show as the
actors who wear them.
“I write the story, I write the characters and give
a character outline, and then Russell Dean from
Strange Face Theatre Company makes the masks,”
says Rachael.
“Then when the actors put them on, the masks really
come to life. Sometimes we find some masks don’t
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