Worcester-based Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is to take its popular show, Sharing Joy, out on the road this June to visit care homes and other venues in Worcestershire.
Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance created for people living with dementia, learning disabilities and other neurological conditions. Performed by a cast of four, it uses music, dance, puppetry and laughter to bring pleasure and meaning to everyone watching, keeping audiences engaged, involved and exhilarated. Set in the 1940s and 1950s, there’s music to bring back memories, dancing to enjoy (or join in with), swinging dresses and best suits. It’s playful and joyous, encouraging everyone to take part and express themselves.
High levels of participation help audiences to feel included and to make genuine connections – proven to have a positive impact on mental and physical health. Sharing Joy is for carers, families and loved ones too, who are all welcome.
Sharing Joy is visiting venues across Worcestershire, including Regent Care Home and Headway in Worcester, Herons Park Care Home in Kidderminster, Hastings Care Home in Malvern, and two performances at The Swan Theatre, Worcester, where Vamos Theatre is based. The tour will then continue to venues in Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and the West Midlands.
Vamos Theatre, specialists in non-verbal communication and performance, has been working with the health and care sectors for over a decade, offering shows and workshops that engage audiences and encourage empathetic care, particularly with people who no longer communicate with words.
Catherine Ball, Activities Co-ordinator at Sun Court and St. Nicholas Care Homes in Sheringham described Sharing Joy on a previous tour as “Amazingly creative, energetic and engaging. So funny for everyone – carers, as well as those cared for. The performance breaks down barriers and gives inspiration for us in our home.”
Hugh, 84, a care home resident, described the show as “The most fun I’ve had since my wedding night!”
Hazel Ratcliffe, Health Connector with Vamos Theatre who has co-ordinated the tour, describes what the performance brings to venues, “Sharing Joy is one of those truly magical experiences where everyone is embraced by the sense of connection through the genius of storytelling, movement, touch, music and love. The experience stays with everyone way beyond the performance itself and creates the seed of an idea of the possibilities of many more moments of joy to come.”
Sharing Joy is supported by Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council, The Wilmcote Charitrust, Richard Cadbury Trust, The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia and Worcester Bosch. The show was originally developed in partnership with The Hereford Courtyard, with inspiration from movement-play specialists JABADAO.
Vamos will be performing at The Swan Theatre on Monday 19th June and would love to have a full house.
The cost of a ticket is just £12.50 and carers go free. Performances are at 10.30 and 1.30pm.
Individual bookings (including carers) can be made by calling the Swan box office on 01905 611427 or online at https://worcestertheatres.co.uk/swan-theatre/whats-on/sharing-joy–vamos-theatre