Derby Theatre to host first ever Dementia Friendly performance
Derby Theatre are hosting their first Dementia Friendly performance this Saturday 4th August.
The venue opened their new family show Holiday in the Studio last week and the Dementia Friendly performance will be carefully tailored so people living with dementia and their families and carers can share the joy of a theatre trip is a supportive environment. There will be a more relaxed attitude to leaving and re-entering the Studio space, the house lights will be kept slightly on there will be plenty of friendly staff available to offer assistance on the day, including staff who are Dementia Friends.
Director Sarah Argent expressed that the aim of the Dementia Friendly performance of Holiday is for audiences to embrace the opportunity for a trip to the theatre with the whole family:
“Holiday is designed to appeal to children but we also hope that in the design and the choice of music, it will evoke memories for adults of childhood holidays: of buckets and spades, ice-cream vans, getting into your trunks under a towel, finding crabs in rock pools, and camping out under the stars”
Argent adds: “We would love families living with dementia to come and see the show and share these memories together as parents and adult child, as grandparents, or as great-grandparents.”
Derby Theatre will also be hosting two Dementia Friends information sessions, at 11am on Friday 3 August and 11am on Saturday 4 August. Both sessions are completely free and open to all.
Holiday has been inspired by funny and moving stories told by young children from Derby and is a celebration of a child’s imagination.
The story follows Gabi and Jaz, who want to go on holiday, but Gabi and Jaz aren’t going on holiday. They have to stay at home instead. It’s not fair. What to do? They’ll play at going on holiday!
Gabi and Jaz gather up their things, and with the magical power of their imaginations, head off on a wonderful adventure – all without leaving the comfort of their attic.
Holiday is a brand new, charming family show, offering the perfect introduction to the theatre for little ones with a splash of holiday nostalgia for the grown-ups.
All tickets to holiday include a FREE ice cream and before and after performances of Holiday, children and families can ‘stay and play’ in a FREE specially designed and designated play area! The play area is fully undercover with a marquee, soft faux grass, play equipment, a dress-up and imagination corner and themed craft activities.
A few useful things to know before ‘packing’ for Holiday…
It’s time to go on Holiday! Holiday will run until Sunday 5 August, with performances at 11am and 1.30pm on most days. Each performance will run for just under an hour.
Lunch boxes for children are available to buy from the Theatre Café for only £3 each, which includes a sugar-free drink, either a cheese, ham or vegan sandwich and a healthy snack (gluten free sandwiches also available). There is also have a tempting menu of food for ‘older theatregoers’ available.
Exclusive discounted parking in Intu Derby. You can purchase an all-day intu car park ticket for only £4 (available on the same day as you are seeing the performance) – which means you can see the show and stay and play for longer! Simply present your show ticket and hand in your intu car park entry ticket at the Theatre Café on arrival and request to exchange it for a special £4 ticket. Please note the tickets are subject to availability and it is recommend to check with the venue staff on arrival.
Buggies and prams. There is a supervised area to store prams and buggies shortly before, after and during the run of each performance.
Accessibility. There is lift access to all floors and an accessible toilet at each level.
So why not create more magical memories with family and friends and join Derby Theatre on a wonderful adventure this summer.
Tickets: £10 (£7 concessions) Family Ticket £30, and all tickets include a FREE ice cream. For more information and to book tickets call the Box Office 01332 593939 or book online at www.derbytheatre.co.uk.