Roll Up, Roll Up! Care Home Residents Front Row For Exclusive Circus Performance
Team members and residents from Care South’s Wickmeads care home in Bournemouth were treated to a performance of Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand by the talented live theatre group, The Dot Collective.
The Dot Collective company is a touring, live theatre troupe who provide professional theatre for those living in care, particularly those living with dementia, to reduce isolation and create positive experiences. They aim to provide innovative theatre of a high, professional standard that is accessible and cognitively stimulating.
The performing troop arrived at the home much to the excitement of residents and staff, and quickly set up their props and costumes in the garden and handed out programmes, as the audience took their seats. The company conducted a live open-air, aerial circus retelling the classic children’s story Alice in Wonderland with an exciting twist, as they performed acrobatic tricks and aerial skills on the highwire and other equipment. The residents and staff cheered and roared with delight throughout the performance, and a massive round of applause rang out when it came to the finale.
The spectacular showcase brought back lots of fond memories for some and resident, June said: “Alice in Wonderland was my favourite story when I was just a girl. It was truly mesmerising to see it brought to life before my eyes, and it bought back some of my dearest memories from my childhood.”
Julie, a resident at Wickmeads, enjoyed the performance so much that she asked if she could have a go for herself, and was given a chance on one of the swings. She said: “I can’t believe that I’m doing acrobatics at my age, and that these wonderful and talented professionals are doing it with me! I would like to thank them for the opportunity, and for making me feel like a young woman again.”
Georgia Grou, Activities Lead at Wickmeads, added: “What an amazing way to spend the afternoon, with our very own VIP performance of the stupendous Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand! The showcase allowed residents and family members to come together for this extraordinary experience. We would like to say an enormous thank you to The Dot Collective for their remarkable performance and look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”
