Two professional actor-musicians will visit 12 Sheltered Accommodation Units (in Sydenham, Catford, Forest Hill) once a week for 4 weeks to sing the old songs and remember the glory days. We want to hear strange but true stories from Lewisham's past, and learn about all the eccentric characters who once lived here. Meanwhile, a bunch of young performers - the Over 60s Drama Group - will prepare their own all-singing all-dancing piece, with a 1-off special performance at the Lewisham Homes Sheltered Accommodation Hub in the week before Christmas. Both groups will share their work in front of friends and family and staff. At the after-show party cake will be eaten, tea will be drunk, and maybe even a drop of sherry who knows...

What we'll deliver:

• Hold 1 performance in Sheltered Accommodation Hub, for invited audience plus after show party!
• Hold 4 full days rehearsal with professional, director, composer and writer for the Over 60s drama
• Organise trip to see show at the Albany, with free tickets and transport provided for residents
• Run 4 x weekly sessions sharing memories and songs at Lewisham Sheltered Accommodation Units

Why it's a great idea:

Residents in sheltered accommodation can't get out and about to experience new things and get a change of scene - so we want to bring new things and a change of scene in to them. Current research confirms that taking part in art and performance activities "lessens the effects of dementia and positively affects health and happiness" and we hope that these 4 sessions, with a sharing of memories a show and a singalong at the end will make a real difference, especially at Christmas.

The Over 60s Drama Group have performed at Greenwich Theatre, at the Paralympics Opening event as well as the Paul O'Grady show, so we would like to commission them to share some of their talent and enthousiasm with older members of the Lewisham community.
Finally for those residents who do have some mobility there will be free tickets and a minibus to see a show at the Albany Theatre, provided by Lewisham Homes.

Steps to get it done:

• Artistic Team to donate performance session on final day as support in kind
• Provide party food and decorations for an after-show knees up
• Use experienced actor-musicians who have run similar activities for this age group in the past
• Use professional theatre equipment (lights, sound, costume) to make the Over 60s show polished and professional
• Lewisham Homes to provide 10 free tickets and a minibus to see a show at the Albany as support in kind
• Liaise with social care team to make sure we work with the residents who will benefit the most
• Plan each workshop carefully and discuss any issues with social care team beforehand
• Work with a team who have produced brilliant community shows in a short space of time in the past

Penny Dreadful are a local company who have a have a 10 year track record creating theatre and music based on forgotten true stories. We write and direct both professional and community pieces all over the UK; last year in Lewisham we created performances in Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery, at the Albany, Theatre and in Deptford Creek.
We have run Music Hall singalong sessions for seniors in Hackney - they ended up recording a CD they were so good! Our show "The Missionary's Position" played at Care Homes and Community Centres (as well as theatres) throughout the UK.
"I haven't had so much fun in years!" Jim Hayward, 92, from Hoxton (came to the show 4 times)