Apr 24

Written by: admin
24/04/2008 6:45 AM

"Our Voice" is pleased to invite everyone to two defining events in Moncton.

Book Launch, Saturday April 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1005 Main, Fundy Room (Lower Floor)
DARE TO IMAGINE: From Lunatics to Citizens
A Survivors History of Mental Health in New Brunswick, by Eugène LeBlanc and Nérée St-Amand

This book describes the creation and the evolution of mental health care from the standpoint of people who were sidelined and stifled, but who gradually rallied and even rebelled in order to create services which are tailored to their realities. For the past 185 years, these struggles have brought about profound changes in New Brunswick's mental health system's landscape; so that today, many no longer see themselves as passive consumers.

In this original book, the first of its kind in Canada, Eugène LeBlanc and Nérée St-Amand present an unconventional picture of mental health that casts doubt on the official version. Through personal accounts, the authors make it obvious that psychiatrizing people is not the answer. This book is a must-read in order to understand not only the history of asylums, but the issues surrounding mental health.

World première of a new drama on mental health
Saturday April 19th, at 8:00 pm and Sunday April 20th at 8:00 pm
Capitol Theatre, 811 Main, Moncton
DIARIES from the Asylum, a play by a local playwright Normand Robichaud, based in part on a diary written in 1883-1884 by Mary Huestis Pengilly.
While researching for the book on the history of mental health in New Brunswick, Eugène LeBlanc rediscovered the diary written by Mary Huestis Pengilly who was confined in the Provincial Lunatic Asylum in Saint-John. Normand Robichaud has paralleled this story with the experience of Marie-Hélène Poirier, who was also brought to the same facility in 1983, now called Centracare. Mr. Robichaud says, "In her writing, Mary clearly explained the emotions of living in an institution and the things she was concerned about are similar today - some things have not changed in more than a hundred years."

The play is one of the first productions of the Capitol School of Performing Arts. The two key roles in this production are played by Janice LeBlanc and Line Pelletier. The play also features an original music score by Ronaldo Richard. The production crew consists of director Tim Borlase, scenographer Yves Landry, visual producer Marshall Button, costume designer Joanne LeBlanc and stage manager Annik Landry.

Tickets for DIARIES from the Asylum are on sale at the Capitol Theatre box office, Frank's Music and l'Université de Moncton for $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at (506) 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922 or online at www.capitol.nb.ca.

Copies of the book DARE TO IMAGINE: From Lunatics to Citizens will be available at the book launch or by contacting Our Voice / Notre Voix P.O. Box 29004, Moncton, NB EIC 4R


INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS
Eugène LeBlanc, Our Voice / Notre Voix (506) 857-1340
Tim Borlase, Director (506) 383-6200
Normand Robichaud, Playwright (506) 855-0602 or (506) 857-8899

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