The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is such a special show to me. Originally entitled Birthday, it was first created in the 1990’s with Theatre Alibi and has remained close to my heart ever since. It has changed and grown over time, just as my heart has changed and grown. It has been re invented and re homed; finding new friends and deeper understanding along the way. This precious show has travelled with me as I moved from Theatre Alibi to Kneehigh and from Shakespeare’s Globe to Wise Children. With it, I have transformed from actor to director, and from director to Artistic Director; always craving ‘home’ and a place to put down my creative roots. It feels very fitting that The Flying Lovers have travelled with me once more - but this time we are being welcomed with open arms by an extended and loving family. Kneehigh, the Bristol Old Vic and Wise Children have joined friendly forces to welcome The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk to its new, digital home. As I write, I yet again marvel at Marc and Bella Chagall. These people, who I now love as if they were my family, did not have the luxury of my metaphorical musings. Their life was anything but metaphorical. They were forced to travel, forced to find new homes and forced to keep moving as they escaped hatred, destruction and terror. And always, always they managed to find beauty, art and most importantly, each other. Inspired by Marc and Bella, it feels more important than ever that we now reach out in whatever way we can to our fellow human beings. We must keep remembering those we know and love, as well as those we do not know yet - and perhaps will never know. We must remember to celebrate life even as it feels as if it is slipping from our grasp. So, enjoy The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk; a show that is a patchwork of so many lives, loves, hopes and dreams. It manages to reach through time and space, gluing together the past and the present in a way that I find both profound and comforting. So, as whether you have just left the joy of Diwali behind, are sitting smack bang in the middle of Hanukkah or are looking forward to Christmas…. Join our theatre family and become part of the story and feel the theatre ‘glue’. Feel the energy of our virtual community, experience the hope and taste the sweet love! I for one, will be revelling in the beauty, wit and humanity of this beloved show and, like so many, I will also be taking a quiet moment to remember those I have lost along the way. Emma Rice