Maison Foo, Derby CAN and Friends invite you to take… A Seat at our Table 

A FREE multisensory celebration of food, family and friendship co-created with friends seeking sanctuary in Derby.

For hundreds of years stories have been shared in this dining room, around this table, and yet, there are still stories missing… but today, with your help, this is going to change…

Join Maison Foo and their Creative Sanctuary Group as they take over the dining room at Pickford’s House, reimagining what and whose stories are told in spaces such as these. Set around a ‘dining table’, this is Pickford’s House, but not as you know it!

This intimate and heart-warming experience gives audiences a chance to hear personal stories from newly arrived friends from all over the world.

Using audio story, visual installation, theatre design and live conversation to bring to audiences an infectiously joyous celebration of this very special community and their collective love of food, family and friendship.

‘Dear Guests, we welcome you to come and sit at our table and listen to our stories. Inspired by our love of cooking, food, and memories of family kitchens all over the world; these are stories we would love to share with you.’ – The Creative Sanctuary Group x

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Tickets are required for interactive performance slots. The interactive show is suitable for ages 14+.

‘A Seat At Our Table’ is commissioned by Derby Creative Arts Network (CAN) (Arts Council England Producing HUB) in partnership with Derby Museums and Oddfellows UK.

The project aims to give local residents with Refugee and Asylum Seeker status in the city, a positive platform from which to tell and share their stories with Derby and beyond, in places where their voice has previously been unheard.

This work follows on from the success of Maison Foo’s Meet Your Neighbour Installation.

‘Beautifully framed…each of the stories a little gift… A simple idea executed with such care and delicacy’ – Lyn Gardner

Please note, we will be serving stories rather than food around the dinner table during this experience.

Creative Team:

Creative Sanctuary Group/ Co-Creators: Ahlam, Soraya, Mohammed, Negar, Laura, Abdel, Mahbobeh, Homa, Irem, Yaqoob, Javad, Neelambury, Babak, Gerson, Katya, Bryan, Arsalan, Noshin, Nastaran, Helena.

Bethany Sheldon – Artistic Director / Co-Creator
Nasrin Samavi – Community Associate/ Co-Creator
Theresa Hempsall –  Visual Art Lead/ Co-Creator
Kate Chapman – Audio Dramaturg and Co-Creator
Adam McCready – Sound Designer/ Co-Creator
Imogen Melhuish – Set Designer/ Co-Creator
Quad Tech Squad – Digital projection/ Co-Creator

Andy Mandiou – Creative Group Project Manager
Caroline Astell-Burt – Creative group volunteer/ Co-Creator
Felicity Bromley-Hall – Documentary Filmmaker and Marketing
Gareth Courage – Illustrator / Graphic Designer
Jo McLeish-  Press and PR
Sameena Khan – Critical Friend
Rachel Adams – Producer

Dates:

Performance and installation times:

There are several FREE opportunities to experience A Seat At Our Table at Pickford’s House between Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th of October. Bookable performances, with live interaction, are available, as are open sessions to simply view the installation.

Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th October

Open as a general exhibition (non-interactive), for visitors to wander around and see the installation.

Suitable for all

Thursday 13th October

Interactive 60-minute sessions for 10 guests per session.

Booking Required (suitable for age 14+)

7.45pm – 8.45 pm

Friday 14th October

Interactive 60-minute sessions for 10 guests per session.

Booking Required (suitable for age 14+)

1.45pm – 2.45pm

3.30pm – 5pm. Open as a general exhibition (non-interactive), for visitors to wander around and see the installation. Suitable for all

6.00pm – 7.00pm

7.45pm – 8.45pm

Saturday 15th October

Interactive 60-minute sessions for 10 guests per session.

Booking Required (suitable for age 14+)

12.00pm – 1.00pm

1.45 pm – 2.45 pm

3.30pm – 5pm. Open as a general exhibition (non-interactive), for visitors to wander around and see the installation. Suitable for all

6.00pm – 7.00pm

7.45pm – 8.45pm

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**Pickford’s House has accessibility restrictions to its upper floors. If you have special access requirements, please contact us before booking: 01332 641901 or email info@derbymuseums.org.**