Acclaimed local play 'Forever & Ever' to stage final show in Derry

A powerful theatre production that has been touring Northern Ireland this autumn will return to Derry for its final performance.

'Forever & Ever', written and produced by Jonathan Burgess, will be staged at the New Gate Arts & Culture Centre on Tuesday, October 7 at 7.00pm, with free tickets available now.

The one-act play, which has been described as “quiet, devastating, and ultimately hopeful”, tackles the often-unspoken themes of suicide, grief, and mental health in a reflective and emotionally sensitive way.

Set in a mortuary, Forever & Ever imagines a final conversation between Jennifer, a mortuary make-up artist, and John, a young man who has died by suicide. As Jennifer prepares his body, John’s spirit awakens in a liminal space between life and death, confronting the grief, regrets, and unanswered questions left behind.

Playwright Jonathan Burgess explained: “Taking Forever & Ever on tour across Northern Ireland has been an incredibly moving experience. At every stop we’ve seen how deeply audiences connect with the themes of grief, loss and hope, and it’s reminded us how important it is to open up these conversations in every community.

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"Bringing the final performance back to Derry feels especially meaningful - it’s where the journey began, and a fitting place to close. My hope is that the play continues to encourage dialogue, compassion and understanding long after the curtain falls.”

Commissioned by the North West Cultural Partnership and funded by The Executive Office’s Urban Villages Initiative, Forever & Ever is a co-production between Blue Eagle Productions and New Gate Arts & Culture Centre. The production was also developed with the support of partners including HURT NI and Samaritans.

Advised for audiences aged 16 and over, the play addresses themes of suicide and self-harm with sensitivity. It contains no graphic scenes or inappropriate language. Post-show learning resources will also be available to help audiences reflect on the themes safely and constructively.

For more information and bookings, please visit: https://www.newgatearts.com/events/forever-ever-4.