Broken Chords is a true story of life, love and learning to cope with life-changing loss. It’s written and performed by husband and wife team Stuart Wickes and Kirstie Pelling
When Stuart and Kirstie lost their son without warning, they turned to music – not to explain what happened, but to survive it. Picking up guitars, they began writing songs as a way to keep breathing, keep talking, keep going.
What followed was a quiet rebellion: against silence, shame and the idea that grief is something you do alone or are meant to “get over.”
Broken Chords is their story, told in their words and music. A story of life, love and the long, strange road through grief – shot through with humour, absurdity and the fragile hope of connection.
But it’s not just their story. It’s yours too. The one you don’t talk about with friends. The one that changed you.
Grief breaks things. Broken Chords is about how to live with it. And how love can rebuild things differently. Together.
BBC Radio Lancashire
Interview broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire, 28 September 2026
Hear the story behind Broken Chords
Stuart Wickes talks about loss, songwriting
and why audiences often stay to talk after the show
Read what audiences say about Broken Chords
Read preview of Broken Chords on Northern Arts Review
Next performances
We’re currently planning tour dates for 2027. If you’d like to discuss bringing Broken Chords to your community, festival or venue, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
Future dates, times, venues and ticketing will be shared on our next shows page.
Broken Chords in 2026
We performed a short run in October 2026 as part of Greater Manchester Month of Hope, the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign and the Good Grief Festival in Blackpool.
- Stretford Public Hall, Manchester, 3rd October 2026
- Grand Theatre Studio, Blackpool, 9th October 2026
An inaugural run of six performances took place in community venues in Lancaster, Kendal and South Cumbrian villages April – July 2026.
- Burton in Kendal, Burton Memorial Hall, 25th & 26th April
- Kendal, Castle Street Community Centre, 9th May
- Lancaster, Gregson Community Centre, 27th May
- Kirkby Lonsdale, Lunesdale Hall, 5th June
- Silverdale, Gaskell Hall, Friday 3rd July
More about Broken Chords
Broken Chords is written and performed by Stuart Wickes and Kirstie Pelling. It’s directed by Joe Sumsion.
Click here to find out more about:
- the story behind Broken Chords
- what to expect at performances
- the creative team behind the events
