In June 2015 we launched the Staging Recovery Ensemble, a group of men and women all in recovery, and all interested in finding creative ways of exploring their recovery journeys.
In July 2025 the ensemble celebrated its 10th birthday with an event at the Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham, attended by past and present members, family, friends and stakeholders. To mark the occasion we invited Joe Partridge, a film-maker who has worked with us on many Staging Recovery projects, to help us co-create a film documenting what being part of the ensemble means.
Check out the short version of the film by clicking on the link below:
Since 2015 the Staging Recovery Ensemble has:
Presented 37 performances
exploring a range of themes including societal stigma, media representation of addiction, and the highs and lows of recovery
Performed in front of over 1750 audience members
including professionals from a variety of social welfare agencies, public health, stakeholders, decision-makers and family and friends
In 14 different venues
including the Birmingham REP, Birmingham Hippodrome, Midlands Arts Centre, Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, as well as a series of special outdoor performances on the streets of Birmingham.
“You can just be whoever you want. You can be as stupid as you want. You can be as serious as you want. It doesn’t matter. You can be you”
– Ensemble member
“This performance made me feel reassured that there is creative work happening with non-mainstream community groups and I think people expressing themselves through theatre is necessary.”
– Audience member
“It felt like a really honest performance that came from a very true place – wonderfully poignant.”
– Audience member
“As a person studying applied theatre, it’s work like this that inspires me and gives me passion for the work. Thank you for sharing wonderful work.”
– Audience member
“Someone actually thinks you’re good at something… Geese, it is a good confidence builder, it’s absolutely amazing.”
– Staging Recovery Ensemble member
“It’s nice belonging to a group… having that ‘belonging’ feeling… it’s like a little family group.”
– Staging Recovery Ensemble member
“The Geese practitioners are lovely people… there is a trust element… they don’t cast any doubts over anything you are doing.”
– Staging Recovery Ensemble member
“This is what I’ve had to look forward to and has helped me with my recovery. I’ve met some amazing people and feel confident. I don’t feel trapped anymore, I feel positive. Instead of feeling nervous, embarrassed and scared I wake up happy. “
– Staging Recovery Ensemble member
Have more questions?
Contact us if you’d like to find out more about commissioning a project with Geese.
