Mary Winspear Centre Presenters Series
I Don't Belong Here - Stories and Songs at the Edge of Forgetting
Wednesday, January 21 - 7:30PM

Written by and featuring Joëlle Rabu and Kelly Wyatt
Directed by Kymme Patrick
Music Director/Arranger - Nico Rhodes

"I Don’t Belong Here – Stories and Songs at the Edge of Forgetting" is a poignant and powerfully human stage production that explores life inside a dementia care facility through a minimalist theatrical lens, adaptable to both small and larger stages. Told through a carefully composed sequence of 15 vignettes and supported by song, the production brings to life 22 distinct characters: memory-care residents navigating shifting realities and blurred recollections; visiting family members grappling with guilt, grief, and the complex emotions of anticipated loss; and compassionate care aides who bear daily witness to the slow unraveling of memory, working to preserve dignity, spark laughter, and nurture connection.

This intimate three-person ensemble piece balances emotional gravity with flashes of absurdity and unexpected levity, illuminating the often surreal and surprisingly tender moments that surface at the edge of forgetting.

But don’t let the subject matter fool you - this is not a bleak tale. The script deftly weaves vulnerability with humor, sorrow with song, and reflection with resilience, ultimately offering a deeply affirming meditation on love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

Content Warning:  This play respectfully and candidly depicts the various forms of dementia. Some scenes contain strong language, emotional trauma and sexual references. While there is music, humour and heart throughout, this play is recommended for mature audiences.