For a group of over-55s in Wandsworth, treading the boards at a local drama group is fostering a new sense of creativity and community. Set up in June 2008, The Gold and Silver Players are now beginning their third 10-week course.
“The broad aim of the group is to use drama as a creative-expressive means of communication,” explains dramatherapist Bea Scott, who facilitates the weekly sessions, “and it’s an opportunity for people to learn new skills – such as vocal technique, movement and improvisation.”
A partnership between Peabody and the Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea, the course is offered free as part of lottery-funded health and well-being programme Activate London.
The workshops encourage a variety of approaches, with participants using devised theatre and text-work to produce performance pieces, often writing their own material. Each course builds towards a performance with an audience; most recently the group entertained visitors to the St John’s Hill Centre Christmas bazaar.
For many members of the group, working towards the live performance has helped develop a sense of self-assurance. “It would have been difficult at the start of the course,” says group member Eddie Jackson, “but by the time of the performance I felt really confident. The audience was generous and responsive, and showed their appreciation.” Like his fellow participants, he is full of praise for his drama tutor. “Bea Scott is indefatigable,” he enthuses. “We are all very weary but happy pupils!”
In addition to the weekly workshops, the group meets for occasional social outings – a visit to the Wimbledon pantomime was a recent highlight. “We have a lot of fun in the group,” comments Bea, “and people bring so much to it through their own creativity as well as giving support to each other.”
If you’re over 55 and based in the Wandsworth area, and you’d like to join the group’s waiting list, please contact the Wandsworth Locality community centre.
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