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The Hearth Centre is a centre for Health, Education and the Humanities with Art at the Heart. Hearth uses the arts to animate key issues in mental health, social care and the humanities, and promote well being – which we do through theatre productions and literary events and courses.
Up and coming productions 2026
Rainbows End – 25th June 2026
HEARTH at the COURT 15 BOOKSHOP, 61 -63 HURST STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B5 4TE
Click here to book tickets
Join The Hearth Centre for an evening of poetry and prose that will lift your spirits in these times of uncertainty.
Settle in and listen to a thoughtfully chosen selection of readings — pieces that may make you laugh, move you to tears, or leave you with something new to think about. Poetry has a unique way of helping us make sense of the world, and this evening is an invitation to share that experience together.
Do you have a poem you return to in moments of joy or difficulty? We warmly invite you to be part of the evening by bringing a poem in your pocket (paper copies welcome — or a poem on your smartphone works just as well!) to share with others.
This is a relaxed, welcoming event for anyone who enjoys words, listening and being together.
This event is presented as part of Healing Arts Birmingham.
Teas and coffees are included in the ticket price.
The Love Letters of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville West
HEARTH at the MAC – July 5th 2026
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Join Polly Wright and Terina Talbot as they read extracts from the letters of Vita Sackville West and Virginia Woolf.
Moving, playful and beautifully written Vita and Virginia’s love for one another has been celebrated on stage and screen. The reading will be followed by an informal discussion exploring the letters and also Woolf’s themes as a writer including ideas of a trans and non-binary existence as portrayed in her novel Orlando.
The performance will be followed by a Q&A with the writer, the audience, and informed panellists.
Rainbows End
HEARTH at the MAC – July 4th 2026
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A script-in-hand play addressing homophobic and transphobic abuse of older LGBTQ+ people in care and receiving care in later life. Presented by members of Artemis Theatre Company and The Hearth Centre.
Clare Summerskill’s latest play is based entirely on interviews with older LGBT people who have experienced homophobia and transphobia in care settings and when receiving care in their own home. It tackles an extremely important issue concerning older LGBT people who, having perhaps been out for their whole adult lives, are faced with the possibility of having to go ‘back into the closet’ at the point of accessing care in later life.
The performance will be followed by a Q&A with the writer, the audience, and informed panellists.
Revolving Door
Revolving Door is a 40 minute play about early intervention in #psychosis. Based on a real case, it tells the story of a young man who is experiencing psychosis and looks at how he can be helped by professionals at the crisis point, where he is contemplating #suicide.
The play is followed by an interactive debate to explore the question of whether Martin’s suicide could have been prevented. Its duration can be tailor made to your needs.
#RevolvingDoor was shortlisted for a National Media Award for work in Northern Ireland, where it evaluated as the most effective intervention in an anti stigma campaign run by @rethinkmentalillness
Revolving Door by Polly Wright has recently been redeveloped in association with psychiatrist @drerinturner to bring it fully up to date. The play is currently being rolled out every year to 400 medical students on their psychiatry rotation at @unibirminghamUniversity Medical School.
Photo and graphics credits ©CardboardZebra Creative via @debunkr_art