Preview: Grounded at Alphabetti Theatre

Grounded at Alphabetti Theatre – A Lyrical Exploration of Grief, Hope, and Humanity

Grounded

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre 

Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 May 2025

Grief is a quiet visitor, but in Grounded, it speaks—through words, through music, and through a house that remembers. From 21–24 May 2025, Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre premieres Grounded, a bold and evocative new play that blends lived experience with experimental storytelling, humour, and hope.

Co-produced by Alphabetti and North East-based company Albatross, Grounded is the result of an ambitious collaboration between professional artists and community participants living with grief and isolation. Developed through long-term workshops and supported by Newcastle University and UKRI’s ESRC fund, the production transforms personal stories into a powerful theatrical experience.

Set in the lingering shadow of the pandemic, Grounded tells a dual narrative. Zoe Lambert portrays a woman navigating the raw terrain of personal loss, while Christina Berriman-Dawson gives voice to a sentient house—an unusual but deeply moving character who mirrors its inhabitant’s emotional landscape. Their intertwined journeys form the heart of a story that is at once grounded in reality and elevated by imagination.

Blurring the lines between theatre, live music, and sonic experimentation, the production features an original score performed live using water glasses and the rare Yaybahaar instrument, offering audiences an immersive auditory experience. “This play has allowed me to take ownership of my story,” said Karen Underhill, one of the play’s composers. “It’s given me a creative way to process what felt unprocessable. To have my voice, and the voices of others like me, heard in this way feels vital.”

Director Meghan Doyle leads a team that includes writer Ruth Raynor, composer Wilf Stone, and Alphabetti’s new Artistic Director Edward Cole, who describes Grounded as “a cornerstone to our Spring Season.” Cole adds, “It tells a story that will unite audiences in joy, warmth, and a shared understanding of something we all went through—but many have yet to fully process.”

Despite its theme, Grounded is not a sombre piece. The script is laced with unexpected humour and invites moments of levity and light. The house is not just haunted by memories—it is alive with music, echoing the resilience that grows in the cracks of sorrow.

Accessibility is a key part of the production. A captioned performance takes place on Thursday 22 May, and a relaxed, audio-described matinee is scheduled for Saturday 24 May. A post-show discussion on Friday 23 May offers audiences a chance to reflect and share.

Grounded is more than a play—it’s a collective act of remembering, of processing, and of healing. It stands as a testament to the ways that art can hold space for grief while gently guiding us toward connection. This is a production that promises to resonate long after the final note fades.

Tickets: Tickets are priced inclusively, with a Pay What You Feel option on opening night, and a “No Questions Asked” ticket available for all performances. Bookings can be made at Alphabetti Theatre's website.