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Big Telly Theatre Company announces a major two year theatre project with older people. The programme promotes lifelong learning and seeks to encourage older people to use their creative and innovative skills within a commercial context as entrepreneurs.
It is only fitting that Northern Ireland’s oldest independent theatre company should be taking the lead in developing a major programme of theatre-based work with older people, challenging perceptions and inspiring people to place the older generation at the centre of community life.
This ambitious two-year programme will culminate in five pieces of multi-media theatre written and performed simultaneously across N. Ireland by members of the older population, working title Spring Chickens!
Demographic ageing is an achievement that should be celebrated as a success for the society we live in. It also presents challenges that need to be addressed. As a society, we need to recognise that older people are a wonderful resource who have much to offer. Communities and individuals need to challenge their own assumptions about ageing and embrace and support older people as active participants in society.
The programme uses a broad range of theatre skills to build confidence, create opportunities and raise the profile of older people as a valuable resource able to make a tangible contribution within their communities.
Intergenerational elements of this programme seek to rebuild relationships between the older and younger generations, with groups working together to explore issues through creative expression, animated discussion and exercises based on visualisation, imagination and identity.
The programme will also highlight and promote good citizenship, volunteering and neighbourly behaviour. The programme is uniquely designed to make connections with those who are isolated and vulnerable, through liaison with Healthcare providers.
The programme will also promote lifelong learning and seeks to encourage older people to use their creative and innovative skills within a commercial context as entrepreneurs.
The first series of workshops are already underway, as Big Telly tours extracts from its major 20th Birthday production 'Bog People' to residential homes throughout Northern Ireland.'Bog People' is touring theatres across North and South of Ireland until 27 October.
See distributed flyers and posters for tour schedule details, visit www.big-telly.com or contact Big Telly offices on (028) 7083 2588.
This programme is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies.
Big Telly Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre company formed in 1987 and based in Portstewart, Northern Ireland. The company designs and delivers theatre productions, interactive workshop programmes and community creativity projects, which it tours nationally and internationally.
It concentrates on the visual potential of theatre through fusion with other art forms such as dance, music, circus, magic and film to create a unique sense of spectacle. Big Telly’s work is driven by a determination to offer audiences entertainment that surprises, stimulates and ignites the imagination.
Maggie Watson
Deputy General Manager
Big Telly Theatre Company
The Crescent
Portstewart
Northern Ireland BT55 7AB
t: (028) 7083 6473
f: (028) 7083 2588
e: maggie@big-telly.com
w: www.big-telly.com
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Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue