DYNASTY meets Joan of Arc in a performance in west Dorset tomorrow which channels 'the great Joans'.

I Am Joan is a hopeful comedy about a woman in recovery from trauma finding empowerment by connecting with various inspiring Joans, such as Joan Collins, Joan Jett and Joan of Arc, all of whom embody elusive qualities of resilience and self-belief.

Think Dynasty meets Joan of Arc with lashings of cherry bakewells, a heavy dose of glam rock and tissues for all at the end. Irreverent, laugh out loud, hold your breath and weep silently; this show will stay with you long after you watch it.

I Am Joan is beautifully performed by Viv Gorden, a professional dance artist who has lifelong mental health issues.

She is the founder and artistic director of Mean Feet Dance in Somerset specialising in dance for individual and collective wellbeing.

Viv was winner of the Arts & Health South West Award 2015 Judges Individual Prize, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to arts, health and wellbeing in the South West region.

She said: “I am Joan is about recovery from childhood trauma – it’s an autobiographical show and in that sense I haven’t chosen to explore it – I didn’t choose what happened to me but I have chosen to speak up about it.

"I have lived with mental health issues all my life and lots about my experience is very hard to articulate, there’s still a lot of shame and stigma about mental ill health and dance gives me a way of being with myself where I have a voice and that is very empowering."

Derrick Newland of Pavilion Dance South West said “This piece is a call to arms”

Ruth Kapadia of the Arts Council England said: "This is a beautifully paced piece. At once both touchingly personal and universal in its themes. I am still haunted by it."

*I Am Joan, Bridport Arts Centre, Friday June 16, 8pm. Call the box office for tickets and more information.