Reflections on The Mirrorbox at the Royal Opera House

Our trustee Jo Dainow experienced The Mirrorbox last weekend at the Royal Opera House. Find out more about her experience in this blog.

Last week, alongside representatives from #ThereForMe, Action for ME, and the ME Association, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Opera House and experience The Mirrorbox on behalf of Long Covid UK. From the moment I first saw it, I was completely captivated. It is one of those rare pieces of art that stops you in your tracks and demands your attention.

The creativity, care, and thought that Alison Larkman has invested in this installation, alongside the incredible work of the I Would Be Here If I Could team, is both powerful and deeply moving.

Standing inside The Mirrorbox, invisible to those around me, and listening to Charlotte’s message was profoundly affecting. It brought into sharp focus the feelings of isolation, loneliness, and longing for connection that so many people living with Long Covid, M.E., and other chronic illnesses face daily. The sense of being disconnected from a former life, from shared experiences, and from communities that once felt effortless to be part of is something that will resonate with countless people.

For many of us, good health is something we rarely think about until it is no longer there. We often take for granted the freedom to participate, contribute, and connect without barriers. The Mirrorbox captures the reality of what illness can take away, not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well.

What makes this installation so remarkable is its ability to create empathy through experience. It is emotional, thought-provoking, and deeply engaging in a way that feels genuinely unique. Long after leaving the Royal Opera House, the themes and emotions it explored stayed with me, and I suspect they will continue to do so for a very long time.

The Mirrorbox is more than an installation. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, understanding, and human connection, particularly for those whose struggles are so often unseen.

I hope that you will get to see it. More details can be found here: https://www.iwouldbehereificould.com/