People United and Jasmin Vardimon Company co-commissioned artist/director R.M Sánchez-Camus and composer/songwriter Isa Suarez to explore the theme of ‘courage’ in collaboration with local people in Ashford, Kent.

With the help of residents, community groups and performers, the artists developed a series of thought-provoking, celebratory performances inspired by people’s stories of, and perspectives on, courage and what it means to be courageous.

The project culminated in a town-wide promenade of street theatre, spoken word performances, live music, puppetry, skateboarding, aerialists, dancers, installations and song.

Working with People United and Jasmin Vardimon Company was such a wonderful opportunity for us to contribute, as artists, to revealing a vibrant community. We felt we were in good hands and good company to create something special in the streets of Ashford with the people of Ashford. R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez
A man with a beard is laughing and sitting on a bench next to a person with a yellow rubber chicken mask on their head. The photo is taken on a high street and a small group of people can be seen in the background watching them.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
Two people performing as a puppet and a puppet master. The master is wearing a suit and tie with a yellow oversized paper mâché head and hands. They are standing on a balcony. The puppet is portrayed by a teenage girl with long wavy hair, she is wearing a black and grey dress with a yellow net petticoat. She is standing below the puppet master and is connected to them with yellow ribbon.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
A male skateboarder on a high street is wearing a yellow hoody and jumping in the air.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
Five adults in yellow tshirts are holding pieces of white paper while singing. The floor has lots of large pieces of yellow confetti on the floor.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
Two women dressed in black, one woman is kneeling on the floor with one arm in the air. The other is above her on a suspended black aerialists hoop. There is about 10 yellow feathers floating to the ground and about 50 feathers scattered on the floor.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
A grey tiled floor has pieces of yellow paper with one word on each piece laid out. In capital letters, the text reads: Have courage in heart during difficult parts sometimes using courage get strength live.
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Pete Fry
Courage by R.M Sánchez-Camus and Isa Suarez © Tim Knights
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