FutureNeuro is proud to support The Mirror Stage, a new theatre production by Brokentalkers, funded by The Arts Council of Ireland. The production brings together research, lived experience, and the arts. Developed in collaboration with our Principal Investigators, Professors David Cotter and Mary Cannon, and created with people who have lived experience of psychosis, the production challenges stigma and deepens public understanding of mental health. The Mirror Stage premieres at Project Arts Centre, Dublin (5–12 November), before a single performance at The Everyman Theatre, Cork (18 November). 

A Unique Collaboration 

The project began in 2022, when Prof David Cotter saw Brokentalkers’ award-winning production The Examination. The performance demonstrated the company’s ability to create socially urgent theatre that amplifies underrepresented voices with compassion, sensitivity, and rigour. 

Recognising the potential for collaboration, Prof Cotter and Prof Mary Cannon — both clinical investigators and members of FutureNeuro’s leadership team — invited Brokentalkers to develop a new production centering on the experiences of people who have lived through psychosis. 

Over the following years, Brokentalkers engaged with individuals with lived experience of psychosis through PSI-STAR (Psychosis Ireland Structured Training and Research) Programme at RCSI, as well as with PhD students and Professors, building a research-informed foundation for the production. 

Understanding Psychosis 

Every year, approximately 2,000 people in Ireland experience their first episode of psychosis, a condition in which perception of reality becomes distorted, often with profound personal and social consequences. 

The Mirror Stage explores what happens when an individual’s sense of reality no longer aligns with the world around them. Through physical theatre, video, music, and striking visual imagery, Brokentalkers weave together testimonies, memories, and stories to make visible what is often invisible, bringing these lived experiences into public dialogue. 

Prof David Cotter, Professor of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, RCSI and Principal Investigator at FutureNeuro, said, “Most of us have lived experience of one form or another of mental illness or distress, yet these experiences are often kept private and go unheard. This is especially true for psychosis, where misunderstanding and stigma are common. With Brokentalkers, we wanted to give these voices a platform, helping others to better understand and empathise with what friends and families experience during psychosis.” 

 Extending FutureNeuro’s vision 

Supporting this project reflects FutureNeuro’s commitment to combining cutting-edge neuroscience with meaningful public and patient involvement. While the Centre’s research has traditionally focused on epilepsy, ALS, MS, and Parkinson’s disease, it has expanded in recent years to include psychiatric conditions, with psychosis representing an important area of focus. 

PPI is central to FutureNeuro’s research. Partnering with Brokentalkers builds on this commitment, amplifying patient voices and fostering dialogue between science, society, and the arts. 

Continuing the Conversation 

Brokentalkers are renowned for productions such as The Examination, Have I No Mouth and The Blue Boy, each tackling urgent social issues with creativity and sensitivity. With The Mirror Stage, they continue this tradition, offering audiences an experience that resonates far beyond the stage. 

FutureNeuro is proud to stand alongside Brokentalkers in this endeavour, helping ensure that the lived experiences of people with psychosis are heard, understood, and respected. 

Find out more and book tickets: https://brokentalkers.ie/whats-on/the-mirror-stage/