The Decay of Autumn: A Table Reading & Conversation

Dive into a cozy afternoon of reading and chatting about the beauty and bittersweetness of autumn's slow fade. Join us for a special table reading of The Decay of Autumn, a play written by Jonathan Hands towards the end of his life. Supported by Blackpool Grand Theatre, this intimate session offers an opportunity to come together around Jonathan’s words, his creativity and the questions that sit at the heart of the play. Jonathan’s wife, Beccy, will lead a conversation about the work, why Jonathan wrote it, what was happening in his life at the time, and how writing and creativity helped him make sense of his experiences. We’ll then settle around the table for a relaxed reading of sections of the play, bringing Jonathan’s words to life together. There’s no pressure to be an actor or performer, and no previous theatre experience is needed. The reading will be followed by an open conversation and discussion of the text, inviting us to think about what the play says to us about love, loss, life and the passage of time. This is a chance to experience a piece of work not simply as a play, but as part of one person’s story, and to explore how creativity can help us express things that can sometimes be difficult to put into words. Come, listen, read, reflect and share.