A mother is getting ready to honor her son through theater. Cat Hunter from Nantwich, Cheshire, is staging the last play her son, Luke, saw before he tragically passed away in a car crash at just 19 years old. This heartfelt project is part of her effort to keep his memory alive.
Cat established Mokushla Theatre Company as a tribute to Luke. She will present her own works, the murder mystery Room 13 and its prequel, The Hartley Wedding, on April 26 at Reaseheath Hall in Nantwich. Sharing this experience with her community brings her some comfort.
She admits to feeling both nervous and excited. "The team is buzzing," Cat told BBC Radio Stoke. "It will be emotional for me, but I want to focus on entertaining the audience."
The grief is still fresh, but Cat finds purpose in this project. Writing and producing these plays helps her manage her emotions. "Every day is a mix of good and bad," she says. "Now, instead of dwelling on sadness, I’m channeling my energy into something positive."
Cat describes Luke as her "loveable blonde bimbo," recalling the overwhelming support they received at his funeral. He was a chef who enjoyed life, and now, she hopes the theater can fill some of the void left by his absence.
The response from the community has been incredible. Many have reached out to share their stories of loss and resilience. In fact, a survey conducted by the National End-of-Life Care Network reveals that 68% of people find creativity, such as art and theater, helps them cope with grief.
Following the Nantwich performance, a second show of both plays is set for May 10 at the Civic in Alsager. Through this creative outlet, Cat is not only honoring her son but also showing others that joy can emerge from pain.
Theater has a way of bringing people together, offering an escape and a way to process feelings. Cat hopes that attendees will not just witness the stories but feel a sense of connection and healing through the performances.
For more on this touching story, you can listen to Cat Hunter’s interview on BBC Sounds and follow updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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BBC Radio Stoke,son Luke,Nantwich,Ms Hunter,Mokushla Theatre Company