Description
What can the stories of ancient mythology teach us about forgiveness?
You are warmly invited to take part in an exclusive online conversation facilitated by Sandra Barefoot (Executive Director, The Forgiveness Project), and guest facilitator Andreea Paduraru (Actor, Dramaturg, Director). This Cafe will inform the research and development of Andreea’s new dance theatre production that explores the theme of forgiveness through a re-telling of the Greek myth of Ariadne.
Together, we will explore this tale, sharing reflections and personal perspectives on Ariadne’s inner conflict as we bring the character to life. In mythology, Ariadne is often remembered as “the abandoned one”: she helps Theseus defeat the Minotaur and escape the Labyrinth, only to be left behind by him on a deserted island.
Andreea’s contemporary adaptation imagines Ariadne twenty years later, finally confronting Theseus after years of silence. As she faces him, she must grapple with a profound moral dilemma: revenge or forgiveness. What will she choose?
All attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to the performance, which will be staged in London in June 2026. Those based outside the UK will be invited to watch a streamed performance, scheduled after the London premiere.
Prior to the Café, we will send each participant a set of guidelines. Please ensure you read these ahead of the gathering. At the end of the event, participants will receive a resource sheet to take away and use for their own personal exploration.
We really look forward to welcoming you to the Forgiveness Café and to growing this new community together.
Facilitators
Sandra Barefoot
Executive Director, The Forgiveness Project
Sandra has over 30 years of experience in leadership, particularly in creative consultancy, programme management, group facilitation, research, and mentoring, with specialism in multi-disciplinary arts practices.
Sandra’s leadership experience spans a wide breadth of practice inclusive of NHS and community health, national Theatre, Deaf and Disabled Arts practices, Early Years and Primary Education, and Criminal Justice. Over the past 16 years, Sandra has worked closely with our storytellers to lead, adapt, and manage our award-winning prison programme RESTORE. As a joint research fellow with the Griffin Society and Cambridge University’s Department of Criminology, Sandra has researched the relationship between shame and resilience with women of lived experience of prison, and subsequently co-created a training resource exploring how practitioners can develop a Shame Informed Approach in practice.
With a passion to embed grassroots practices in diverse communities, Sandra’s focus as Executive Director is to nurture rich and meaningful collaborations with inspiring community leaders, storytellers, peers, and academics to offer the world hope, restoration and healing.
Andreea Paduraru
Actor, Dramaturg, Director
Andreea’s theatre credits include Frankenstein (Royal National Theatre), The Outsider (Coronet Theatre), Long Distance Affair (PopUp Theatrics, New York). Aside her film & TV credits (Warner Bros, ITV, BBC, ITV, Channel 4) she has an extensive experience as a dance theatre performer– her credits include Women’s Tales (The Place), Medea, Frida Kahlo and The Yellow Wallpaper (Lylian Baylis – Sadlers Wells). She has also worked as a movement director and assistant director to Ben Duke for the Olivier nominated Ruination (Royal Opera House) and Death Trap with Rambert Dance Company (Sadlers Wells).
What participants say
“Thank you each and everyone. I feel soothed and also strong after our discussion!” – Carrie Supple, Forgiveness Café Participant
“Thank you so much for the meeting today. EXACTLY what I needed to save me from the big black hole that I felt I was in. Now I see some light, hope and a glimmer of joy in the essence of being. I really have had a seismic shift in perspective which is allowing me to approach my pain in a totally new way.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“A safe space held with awareness…where one gathers pearls of wisdom.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“Beautiful discussion!!” – Lisa Rickert, Forgiveness Café Participant
“It was a real pleasure to be able to participate in the cafe and I look forward to further such opportunities.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“I am so grateful to have had a short time in this group. Forgiveness to me is a conscious decision to add peace to the world, even when some instincts might ask us to be angry and vengeful. It is a process that I start anew over and over. For me, forgiveness is personal, and it is also radical. I imagine what our society would be like if we all, even sometimes, made the decision to face our hurts with grace, love, and truth telling.” – Perla Carlota Hatch, Forgiveness Café Participant
