Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, Mobilise and Worcester Theatres will host the INSANE Festival, a free festival of arts and well-being for young people aged 10 - 18yrs on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 May at the Swan Theatre, Worcester.

The festival will feature the premiere of Sickkk Icarus, a contemporary reimagining of the myth of Icarus. Presented by Mobilise, Sickkk Icarus is written and directed by Hannah Phillips with composition and lyrics by Nik Haley. Icarus, a gamer, is lost in a world of grief after the passing of his Dad, Daedalus. In this retelling of the famous myth, we are reminded that sometimes you have to fall to fly! 

Dr Hannah Phillips, Sickkk Icarus writer and director commented: “In a time when children and young people can't access the mental health support that they need we must intervene at an earlier stage and find alternative ways to support children and young people's well-being. Creativity and connection have healing qualities.

“We have been working with local Worcester based Counsellor Isabel dos Santos through this process to ensure that our work is informed as Sickkk Icarus does deal with some difficult issues such as grief and loss. Through this process we as a company have grown to understand that it is Ok to feel sad and to cry, grieving fully is good and healthy and importantly, no feeling is forever. We hope to share these ideas with young audiences, the performance is also joyful, full of energy, connection and hope.”

The INSANE Festival also includes a number of arts focused events, activities and workshops including Drumming Workshops with Drum Love: What Makes You Feel Good? Zine Making Workshop facilitated by Sham and Kay Mullet; a Guided Meditation; and a programme of Film Shorts about Happiness and Well-being curated by Flatpack.

Elaine Knight, Arts Director, Severn Arts said: “At Severn Arts we are committed to offering inclusive arts activity which supports young people's mental health in Worcestershire. INSANE Festival and Sickkk Icarus demonstrate how creativity can be used innovatively to support young people's access to well-being and the arts, we look forward to young people engaging with the Festival and hopefully finding it individually useful and creatively inspiring.”

The INSANE Festival takes place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 May from 10am – 4pm at the Swan Theatre, Worcester. All events are free however due to capacity booking is essential via worcestertheatres.co.uk.

For further information about Mobilise, The INSANE Festival and Sickkk Icarus visit mobilisearts.co.uk or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MobiliseArts.