Care Home Residents Enjoy Theatre Schools’ 50s-Themed Musical Drama Production
Residents from three Dorset and Hampshire care homes enjoyed a postwar Britain-themed production performed by a theatre school in Bournemouth.
Care home residents from Castle Dene in Bournemouth, Elizabeth House in Poole, and St Ives House in Ringwood saw BIGLITTLE Theatre School’s musical drama show, The Trainmaster, at Bournemouth School for Girl’s performing arts centre. The story focused on a revered railway stationmaster, his family and the passengers, and was performed by the theatre school’s professional development programme for young people aged 16 to 18.
Chris, a St Ives House resident, said: “I thought it was great. I used to work with productions for the BBC and was impressed with how good the acting, singing, storyline and set were.”
Pat, who lives at Elizabeth House, said: “It was very good. I think all the students did very well.”
Sue Bassett, Activities Lead at St Ives House, said: “Thank you so much to the students at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for inviting the residents to their fantastic show which they thoroughly enjoyed. They loved seeing the acting and singing from the pupils and the costumes which reminded them of the fashion in the 1950s, and it was lovely for Chris from St Ives House to be back watching a show – albeit from the audience this time.”
The invitation to see the show was extended to the care home residents following a grant made to BIGLITTLE Theatre School from Care South’s Chairman’s 2020 Fund to support their latest theatre production. The fund was set up to give back to community groups, services and organisations which directly benefit Care South’s residents and staff, and their Care at Home clients. BIGLITTLE Theatre School aims to make the joy of theatre inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of age.
Colin Billing, Principal and Executive Director of BIGLITTLE Theatre School, said: “We were so pleased to welcome the care home residents to see our latest theatre show, which was supported by a kind donation from Care South’s Chairman’s 2020 Fund. Our pupils were thrilled to meet the residents afterwards who were full of praise and commended the effort that had been put into making the show.”
