Joygernaut play explores a kinder world

An exciting one-person show exploring the effects of kindness and cruelty will tour North Yorkshire libraries during May and June.

Poet and performer Andy Craven-Griffiths ran workshops in libraries earlier in the year to gather stories of kindness from people of all ages and invited people to share their experiences online at www.joygernaut.com. Those stories have informed the writing of an interactive, one-person show exploring kindness and cruelty, their effects and our ability to choose.

Andy said:

We are increasingly sold the idea of our own individuality and importance. The aim of the game is to be the most beautiful, to have the biggest TV, to get the most likes and retweets, to eat the fanciest foods and to wear the most expensive and fashionable clothes. In all cases, to win for ourselves as separate individuals, that that’s how you get happy. But what if it’s not? What if the way to a better life is kindness?

Using research into the biology, sociology and psychology of kindness, Joygernaut offers us a view of ourselves as better. As less the Black Friday sales brawler trampling people for a cheap TV, more the teenager giving up a bus seat for a pregnant woman. Less the drugs cheat Olympian, more the Brownlee brothers helping each other over the finish line. The play tells the story of how one person’s view shifts through unexpected trauma, generosity and forgiveness.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Libraries, said:

The County Council’s Library Service is pleased to be presenting Joygernaut with support from our Stronger Communities programme. Joygernaut is about the idea that kindness can generate small changes in ourselves and others and make our communities better places. This is something we see often in the selfless volunteers who support the county’s libraries and other projects and services.

Andy has performed his writing extensively on stage (Leeds Festival, Latitude, Secret Garden Party), but has also had his poetry broadcast (Radio 1, Radio 4, BBC2) and printed in poetry journals. In 2016, he was one of Radio 3’s Verb New Voices. Currently, he is writing a play as part of Curve Theatre’s WritersLab and working on a book of poetry for children.

Performances of Joygernaut will take place at 7pm at the following venues: