An Edenhope local will be bringing her award winning cabaret show to her hometown this week, telling the story of her grief.
Jodie Atkinson’s husband, Craig, was funny, he was fit and active, he was loving; a good bloke.
She describes their relationship as “far from perfect” but perfect for her.
When he died, rather suddenly at 52 years old, Mr Atkinson did not flatten into a one-dimensional “sad” memory.
His sudden absence filled Ms Atkinson with fear, anxiety, panic and confusion, irreparably changing her life trajectory forever.
Some days she cried, she laughed, she went to the movies with friends, she enjoyed tastes and smells and conversation, all the while, grief accompanied her.
It turned out, grief wasn’t one-dimensional either.
If people had bothered to ask, instead of saying “I’m sorry for your loss” and awkwardly changing the subject, Ms Atkinson would have had so much to say about the “roller coaster” of her grief.
“I never intended to write a book about grief, let alone write and self-produce a cabaret show,” she said.
“I started being really honest with people about what was playing out for me and because those conversations were so rare, many suggested I write a book.
“We don’t talk about grief enough, and we need to.”
Jodie’s book, ‘Have You Met My Grief?’, is a resource for people struggling to comprehend conflicting emotions and behaviours following the loss of a loved one.
Her cabaret show, of the same name, is something extra.
“Cabaret is a beautiful platform for engagement, interaction and education,” she said.
“The vulnerability and storytelling allow people to have a connected and authentic experience.
“The audience comes on that journey with me, but it doesn’t descend into maudlin despair; we really do laugh, cry and everything in between.”
Not only did Ms Atkinson receive a grant from the ‘Mental Health Commissioner for South Australia’, in recognition of her important messaging, her show has also been lauded for its entertainment value.
In 2023 she won the ‘Debut Award’ at the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival, followed by the 2024 ‘Weekly Award’ at Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Critics described the show as “entertaining, enlightening and inspiring”.
Now, she is bringing ‘Have You Met My Grief?’ to her hometown – Edenhope.
“I did all of my schooling in Edenhope and like to say that my big break came in my school production ‘The Princes’ Pursuit’,” she said.
“I’m really excited to bring my show home; it will be interesting because I know it’s a different audience but we need to break down that stigma, especially for farmers and their communities.
Ms Atkinson is passionate about improving access to the arts in regional areas.
“It can be an uncomfortable topic but it’s a very real and difficult part of life,” she said.
“It’s helpful for people to know how grief might impact their lives, when it shows up.”
The free cabaret performance has been funded via suicide prevention group Lifeforce Edenhope, which successfully applied for a Wesley Mission grant.
“How lucky are we to attract an award-winning show that you’d typically have to travel to the city for,” Lifeforce Edenhope chair Cath McDonald said.
“The fact that Jodie is a local makes it all the more special.
“We hope to see just as many men as women in the audience because this is a chance to examine the way we deal with something every one of us will experience.”
Have You Met My Grief is coming to Edenhope and District Community Centre Sunday August 4, from 4pm.
Free tickets include finger food, drinks and baby-sitting services. Limited tickets can be reserved by leaving a message, with details (including baby-sitting requests): (03) 5585 9845.
