Seventy-Eight Thank Yous (2024)

In his acclaimed one man show, Seventy-Eight Thank Yous, writer and performer James Pretlove shares tales of the extraordinary death and ordinary life of his mother, Val Pretlove, who committed suicide in 2018 aged 78. Alongside the deep grief James felt, his mind began to fill with thank yous. As it did so, he laughed, cried (even more than he was already), and realised the many gifts there were not only in his Mum’s life, but in her death too.
Showing the power of gratitude as it deftly mixes depth with lightness, this piece has captivated audiences all over the UK, from St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London, birthplace of the Samaritans, via the Oxford Storytelling Festival to the Universal Hall in Findhorn. As a member of the audience who saw it at Edinburgh Fringe said, “an unforgettable, mesmerising, and thought-provoking performance. James’s storytelling skills and use of the spoken word are captivating. Unmissable! I would dearly love to see it again!”