“It genuinely has the potential to become a beloved staple of Australian theatre.”
Martin Cheney
A Box of Memories
A Box of Memories is a poignant one-act, three-hander musical that intimately follows the story of Lizzy, a woman in her seventies living with dementia, from diagnosis to the end-of-life. Through the perspectives of Lizzy, her daughter Sonya, and Jeremy, a doctor involved in her care, the musical delves into the emotional, relational, and systemic dimensions of living with dementia.
This work is a powerful example of documentary music theatre, a genre that draws on lived experiences to champion marginalised voices and promote increased community awareness. It tells captivating stories while making great theatre. The musical blends personal narratives with insights into dehumanising cultures within health systems, offering a compassionate yet challenging portrayal of dementia, a condition that remains deeply misunderstood. Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause of death overall. It is the second most feared medical condition in Australia, after cancer, and the most feared diagnosis for Australians over 65. A Box of Memories seeks to disrupt aversive responses by fostering empathy and awareness through emotionally engaging storytelling and song, that centralise an unlikely theatrical protagonist - an older woman experiencing increasing disability.
The Development
What began as an idea in 2017 has now become an award-winning internationally touring musical.
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and the leading cause of death for Australian women. This is seldom talked about and is a discomforting topic for many. This poignant, humorous and insightful musical shares Lizzy’s story, illustrating the experience of many people living – and dying – with dementia: an experience of changing function, relationships and identity. People with dementia frequently experience being invisible and dehumanised within health and social care settings and in society more broadly. Yet, we believe that seeing the person rather than the illness, and finding their story is the key to caring for the person with dementia with dignity. Further, dementia not only effects the person but the entire family and the people who provide care for them.
'A Box of Memories' both entertains and informs the audience. We will only get better at understanding and working with dementia if we get better at talking and singing about it.
The show has been in development for three years since its premiere at the 2022 Adelaide Fringe Festival. Since then, the show has had input from dramaturg and director Narelle Yeo, who supported the show’s tours to the International Dementia Conference in Sydney in 2022 and the Centre for Innovation Conference in Pittsburgh in 2023. In 2024 we underwent a third development with director Tiffany Knight who has been instrumental in refining the work, bringing key nuances to this poignant human story.
We have been overwhelmed by audiences’ response to the show and believe ‘A Box of Memories’ has a valuable contribution to make to our community from the stage.
What’s next?
We open to engaging with production houses to bring A Box of Memories to more audiences across the globe. We want to continue transforming how people respond to dementia. Please reach out to talk further.
The Creative Team
We are a daughter-father duo.
This musical holds particular salience for us. Duncan works as a psychiatrist caring for people living with dementia. Duncan's mother, Erin's grandmother, lived and died with younger-onset dementia. This experience has influenced Duncan’s motivation and direction as a doctor and dementia specialist. As a documentary musical, the show authentically captures the complex experience of living with dementia. ‘A Box of Memories’ creatively expresses Duncan’s personal and clinical experiences, Erin's skills as a composer, theatre-maker and performer.
Reviews
“This piece is a poignant yet celebratory work. The humanity and connections linger long after experiencing the music.”
— Jennifer Trijo, The Serenade Files
“It genuinely has the potential to become a beloved staple of Australian music theatre.”
— Martin Cheney, Sharp Four Reviews
“A Box of Memories may well be one of the best offerings at this year’s Fringe”
— Kym Purling, Hi-Fi Ways
“Oh my it was one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever witnessed”
— Lucy Artis