UK arts groups offer therapeutic support to performers as they refute myth of tortured artist

"From Vincent van Gogh to Virginia Woolf, from Nina Simone to Amy Winehouse, the tortured-artist archetype looms large: private torment fuelling public brilliance. But across opera, theatre, film and television, a growing movement is pushing back against what many now insist is a corrosive myth the romanticised necessity of creative martyrdom. Artists don't need help because they're weak; they need it because they're strong, said Annilese Miskimmon, the artistic director at English National Opera."

"They're strong enough to rehearse deeply traumatic parts multiple times a day and then perform those roles to order in front of thousands of people. Miskimmon recently directed Dead Man Walking, a true story that opens with the rape and murder of two teenagers and closes with the state-sanctioned killing of the murderer, scrutinised by the grieving parents and the teenagers' ghosts."

"The deal was that I wouldn't know which of our artists had spoken to them, and the support they gave would be available up to a fortnight after the show had finished, said Miskimmon. Miskimmon said it was the first time she or ENO had employed the organisation. With Dead Man Walking, it would not only have been irresponsible not to provide support for everyone involved but it would have risked the final production not being as emotionally powerful as it was, she said."

A movement across opera, theatre, film and television is rejecting the romanticised notion that private torment is necessary for artistic brilliance. Performing artists are increasingly offered therapeutic and wellbeing support to manage exposure to traumatic material and to sustain high-calibre performances. The production Dead Man Walking, staging rape, murder and a state execution, engaged Artist Wellbeing to provide confidential mental health support during rehearsals and for a fortnight after closing. Anonymity and post-run access aimed to protect emotional safety and preserve the production's power. Support schemes are expanding through partnerships with industry organisations.

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