Abandoned Brothers (2012)

Abandoned Brothers marked the beginning of Re-Live’s work with the Armed Forces community.

In 2012, we began a three-month Life Story Theatre project with veterans and family members who had experienced conflict in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and Iraq. It was a step into new territory for us — led by listening, curiosity, and a growing awareness of the need for spaces where these stories could be shared.

Over those months, we heard stories that were rarely spoken about — of service, return, and the ongoing impact of military life. There were moments of laughter and connection, alongside times when the path forward felt uncertain. What carried the work was the determination of the group, and a shared sense that these stories needed to be told.

The final performance held just a fraction of what had been shared. For some, it was the first time their experiences had been witnessed in this way — not in isolation, but in a room full of people willing to listen. As one audience member reflected, “An extraordinary experience.”

The group did not take a bow. Instead, they stood together as the audience rose to their feet — a moment of recognition that has stayed with us. As one reflection captured:
“After so many dark nights of feeling alone… here was a crowd of strangers… bearing witness to their stories.”

The project went on to receive the Arts and Health Practice Award from the Royal Society for Public Health in 2015.

The learning from Abandoned Brothers was later shared in Arts & Health (7(2), 151–160), helping to deepen understanding of this work and its impact. You can read it here.