Jeremy Irons, Juliet Stevenson CBE and others contribute to latest ‘Wander’ film series to support a mental health charity

Actors, Jeremy Irons, Juliet Stevenson CBE, Miles Chambers and others contribute to the latest ‘Wander’ film series release to support a mental health charity during coronavirus lockdown

Conceived by artist, Beau Kerouac and launched in partnership with Mental Health Foundation and Ribena on May 6th, “Wander” brings meditation and escapism to all at a time of turmoil.

Three new instalments of the ‘Wander’ film series are set to be released on Monday, May 18th and will feature the likes of Jeremy Irons, Joseph Marcell, Juliet Stevenson and Miles Chambers who will be lending their talents to the series of specifically-commissioned films designed to provide escapism and meditation to all during the current covid-19 pandemic.

The series, launched earlier in May, features some of the world’s best-known actors and artists providing narration to their favourite stories based at some of the world’s favourite art institutions and museums, with illustrations done by Ralph Steadman.

The first episode features Richard E Grant telling the story of Alice in Wonderland at the famous V&A museum in London. These latest instalments will features Juliet Stevenson CBE reading poems from John Keats at the English National Ballet, Jeremy Irons and Miles Chambers reciting the ‘Garrick Poem’ and ‘Bristol Bristol’ respectively with imagery from the Old Vic in Bristol and Joseph Marcell reciting a passage from Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ with imagery from The Globe Theatre in London.

Other well-known names include Simon Callow CBE, Jordan Stephens, Natascha McElhorne and many more. who will be narrating readings from well-known poems, unseen artists letters, and other famous literature.

The previously released films can be found below:

Simon Callow CBE at Van Gogh Museum

• https://youtu.be/O3BY1JdM8cU

Natascha McElhone at Royal Kew Gardens

•  https://youtu.be/zkQ-6LvbwdI

Jordan Stephens at Royal Albert Hall

• https://youtu.be/BPyVNCtLOC0

All actors have provided their time for free in aid of the ongoing support for mental health at a time of crisis. Ribena has covered all costs associated with the project and will be using its own channels and platform dubbed ‘Creative Juice’ to host the content and extend its reach.

Each episode has been produced using cognitive film-making techniques in consultation with the charity, the Mental Health Foundation, to help people to alleviate mental stress they may be experiencing throughout the lockdown. At the end of each episode, there is professional guidance provided by the charity on what people can do if they’re struggling with anxiety.

The production team, led by Beau Kerouac, has used existing footage of the museums to remotely produce the new films. This creates a fresh take on a familiar place and allows audiences to visit these special venues even while they remain closed.

Commenting on the concept of Wander, Beau Kerouac said:

“We’re all experiencing a massive jolt to our lives in a way that no-one could predict and one that has a major impact on our mental wellbeing. Wander was conceived to bring joy and escapism to everyone, in an easy, accessible and interesting way. With all the museums currently closed, we can’t spend time walking the peaceful corridors of these places we all love. Wander allows us to do just that from the ease of your laptop, phone or telly. Each person that I have spoken to about the project has stepped forward to support it. It’s great. I hope everyone, no matter where they are or who they are, enjoys it.”

As well as being aired on Video on Demand (VOD), the films are also available on Ribena’s webpage and social media channels. As the principal supporter, Ribena has launched a platform, ‘Creative Juice’, to support the nation’s natural creativity from their homes during a time where many experience anxiety from isolation. The ‘Wander’ content series is key to providing creative inspiration for the public and a platform for The Mental Health Foundation, and the brand will also host a range of resources and tools online to get the nation’s creative juices flowing from their living rooms.

“Our hope is that we’re able to provide a way for people to take a break from what can be an incredibly lonely, chaotic and disruptive time. Whether that’s for a five-minute Wander episode or an hour of arts and crafts at home, taking time out is beneficial for mental health, which is why it’s lovely that Wander is supporting the Mental Health Foundation. We would love the British public to send in images of their own creative outputs as they spend this period of time at home. We will select a winning submission weekly and in response donate £1000 to the Mental Health Foundation every week.” – Charlotte Flook, Head of Ribena.

To watch the first five episodes, visit www.ribena.co.uk/wander and follow the series on social media using #Wander and #CreativeJuice.