‘Practically Perfect’ As Care Homes Remake The Magic Of The Musicals

Residents at Colten Care homes have found ‘the most delightful way’ to enjoy favourite musicals during the pandemic, by staging their very own versions.

Mary Poppins, Calamity Jane, The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady have all been given the DIY treatment with residents and staff making props, learning lines and playing character roles.

The homemade shows went down a treat at Dorset homes Castle View in Poundbury and Outstanding-rated Canford Chase in Poole.

After watching team members and fellow residents rehearse and perform Mary Poppins, Canford Chase resident Joan Kraszenen said: “It was just lovely, practically perfect. I laughed so much.”

There was similar praise for a Castle View variety afternoon ‘extravaganza’ from residents George Clarke, Jill Kember and Enid Deakin.

They watched a Calamity Jane section featuring a staff member dressed as a horse while The Sound of Music saw in-house actors don nun costumes and there were chimney brushes all round for Mary Poppins.

“It was so wonderful and creative,” said Jill. “Everyone enjoyed themselves, I know I certainly did.”

George’s comment was: “It’s remarkable how much talent was on show, so entertaining.”

And Enid said: “They all had so much energy, I don’t know how they do it, to keep going like that. I really enjoyed it.”

The hands-on initiative was co-ordinated and led by Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music & Arts Partner, with help from colleagues.

Fiona said: “It was wonderful to see residents and staff come together and have a great time on a whirlwind trip through the musicals.

“Putting on favourite shows is all about enabling our residents to continue doing and enjoying the activities they love.

“A great deal of preparation went in to make it all happen, including prop making and learning scripts, but as Mary Poppins would say, ‘in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun’ – and we certainly found it!”