Chances are someone you know has an eating disorder. Nearly 1 million women and girls in the UK have one. Is it really just skinny girls, refusing to eat?

Joy Unspeakable is a dynamic, all-female, gig-theatre show exploring disordered eating through real-life testimony - why it’s all about food and nothing to do with food.

“This is a must-see show demanding we change the way society views eating disorders” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Theatre & Tonic

“Uniformly excellent” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Northern Soul

“Mesmerising and moving” Wigan Post

With large doses of anger, hope, and joy, Joy Unspeakable presents the true testimonies of four women, each with a different eating disorder, and each at a different stage of recovery.

Expect physical theatre, live folk and punk music, and real-life stories.

Joy Unspeakable has been developed in consultation with mental health and eating disorder experts, including experts by lived experience. Our partners have included: Emily Troscianko (Health Coach and Research Associate, Oxford Research Centre), Samantha Hartley (a critical friend and formerly of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Young People's Mental Health Research Unit), Professors at King's College’s Eating Disorders Unit, BAND, MhIST,1Point, Bolton at Home and Bolton Social Prescribing Network.

An audience experience of care remained uppermost in the development of the show. Support information is provided for all audience members.

The show is accompanied by wraparound creative community engagement, including post-show conversations with mental health professionals and eating disorder experts.

Joy Unspeakable toured Greater Manchester theatres in Autumn 2024.

Ordinary Glory is now taking bookings for an October 2026 tour of Northern venues. A full tour pack is available for programmers. Further information about the range of engagement options available is included. Please email info@ordinaryglory.co.uk to request the Joy Unspeakable tour pack.