We’re excited to announce “The Uninvited Guest,” an innovative theatre performance that brings the lived experience of persistent pain into focus. Through a vibrant blend of comedy and storytelling, the production invites audiences to reflect on the realities of chronic pain – often invisible, always impactful.
Co-created by Theatre Space North East with Flippin’ Pain, Teesside University’s research team, and community members, and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account at Teesside University, “The Uninvited Guest” exemplifies how the arts and research can come together to deepen public understanding of health. By weaving together personal stories, academic research, and creative interpretation, this performance sheds new light on the personal, social, and emotional effects of chronic pain, challenging myths and opening up space for empathy and dialogue.
Persistent pain shapes everyday life for millions, its impact often misunderstood or marginalized. Arts-based approaches such as participatory theatre and digital storytelling can help to surface these hidden experiences, bridging research and lived reality in fresh and accessible ways. With this project, we open up new conversations about pain, resilience, and wellbeing—and invite all who attend to join us in re-imagining how we think and talk about pain in our communities.
Professor Antonia Liguori from Teesside University expands:
“This performance is a vibrant celebration of creativity and collaboration, demonstrating how truly listening to each other’s lived experiences can enrich lives through mutual learning and support, all shared in a spirit of positivity. With the generous support of the AHRC Impact Acceleration Account, we have applied digital storytelling techniques to inform the co-creation of this theatrical piece, inspired by the lives of people who have experienced pain and whose understanding of that pain has been profoundly transformed for the better. It is our hope that this performance will also inspire a positive shift in your own understanding and experience of pain.”
Working at the intersection of research, creativity, and public engagement, The Uninvited Guest stands as an invitation—to healthcare professionals, researchers, people with lived experience, and anyone passionate about inclusive storytelling—to become part of a shared narrative. Together, we’re harnessing the arts as a catalyst for empathy, education, and positive change.
Visit Theatre Space North East for details about upcoming performances: https://www.theatrespace.org.uk/shows/uninvitedguest2025
Antonia Liguori / Participatory Storytelling 