New company Boom Shakalaka Productions is a polymathic new collective, making content to see, hear and experience and its production My Beautiful Black Dog is already making waves.
Produced by Rachel Tyson and broadcaster Gemma Cairney the show addresses the subject of depression, difficult contradictions and the complexity of fragile minds. Gemma Cairney said: “My heart aches for this show, I had to take it on. I couldn’t not”
The writer and performer of My Beautiful Black Dog, Brigitte Aphrodite said: “Black dog is what Winston Churchill used to call his depression… I have a beautiful black dog and I call her Creshendorious.” The show merges a music gig with theatre, a wild and poetic musical and after storming the Edinburgh Fringe Festival it is now on the road.
“Depression can be funny and hopeful (I hope…). I believe in hope” says Brigitte Aphrodite. The show challenges stigma around mental health and encourages the audience to take ownership of their own black dogs through infectious dance moves, mesmerising costumes and banging tunes. It is framed by silver streamers, sequins and sparkles.
Vocal fans and supporters of Bri’s work include Kate Nash, Josie Long, Arthur Brown of ‘Hell Fire’ fame & BBC3’s Him & Hers’ baddie – Kerry Howard.
The #MBBD movement has evolved and with the help of experts the team have developed a schools workshop, challenging our identification of mental health issues, links with creativity and the language we use. The workshops are supported by the Wellcome Trust. Those who take part will be given the opportunity to watch the show free of charge.
To bolster the project further, tracks from the show are being released as an EP version of ‘My Beautiful Black Dog’, tracks can be found on Spotify and on iTunes.
For more information on the EP, tour dates and tickets click here!
