– The joy of play –

Theatre and play can teach us a lot about who we are - explore how you connect with yourself and others

When’s the last time you played as an adult – we mean really mucked about, being silly, shedding your inhibitions and getting lost in laughter? It’s an incredibly freeing experience as a group of unpluggers found out in Vix Hobbs’s very first Comms Unplugged session in 2023.

Many of us get stuck in our own heads or in a very structured or formal way of thinking about the challenges we face. Children have a very different way of looking at things and one of the most important parts of their development is learning through play. We’re delighted to welcome Vix back this year to unleash the power of play in the field.

She uses drama and theatre techniques to help us explore ourselves and our relationships with others. Playing with group dynamics and different ways to express ourselves – including non-verbal communication – we’ll have an hour of fun activities which require no previous experience or particular skills and put everyone on an equal footing. Last year one unplugger described it as “pure joy and laughter”. Will the dragon join the sheep in this year’s session – you’ll have to wait and see!

Vix has a background in performance and teaching. Music has always played an important part in her life and she is currently a member of the Chateau Bateau Band based in Southampton. She taught theatre and drama at University of Reading and has performed in a number of professional theatre productions including Lily and the Albatross and Hug. She is now a celebrant with Southampton City Council registration service. Vix is also interested in the therapeutic benefits of theatre and play for our mental health and what it means to be human.

A big lover of the great outdoors, she is a regular visitor to Dorset – and the Purbecks in particular – and is committed to sea swimming at least once a week, all year round!