On 24 October, those living with dementia will have the chance, along with their families and carers, to enjoy an afternoon at the opera, as Opera North is to have a dementia-friendly matinee performance at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Music can increase wellbeing, even encouraging a response when verbal skills have been lost. It’s been proven that music reduces anxieties and restores memories.
Phyllida Lloyd’s production of Puccini’s La bohème has been chosen by Opera North, partly because it depicts young love in the 1960s and also because many of the audience may recognise the music, but why is this any different from the other performances? After all, the entire opera will be performed. Well, for this occasion,there’ll be reduced lighting on stage, low level lighting in the auditorium and a relaxed approach to audience members moving during the performance. A quiet room will be available should anyone feel the need, there’ll be extra signs for those who need them in an unfamiliar setting, and more staff to help put people at ease.
Michael Barker-Caven, Revival Director of La bohème, has personal experience of the impact of dementia as his mother passed away as a result of Alzheimer’s:
“The show will be as rich and as committed as any other performance, although we will make sure the lighting in the auditorium is very audience friendly and we will ask the conductor not to summon up too much of a whirlwind in the orchestra pit! The most important thing is to trust to the genius of Puccini and the deeply human power of the performance to reach out to the audience on the day. Music needs no explaining and I have no doubt that those who attend will find themselves entranced by its beauty, its timelessness and its enriching pathos.”
Opera North has been holding a series of Dementia Cafés in settings across the City. One such venue was Simon Marks Court, a local care home. Joanna Eden , singer/songwriter, and soprano Bibi Heal have been encouraging residents to sing and make music, and the pair have been using photographs, programmes and flyers from the Sixties to stir memories and help everyone relate to the songs.
Jo Bailey, Wellness Co-ordinator at Simon Marks Court, said:
“It was so lovely to see the interactions between our residents and the wonderful team from Opera North. The visits clearly evoked memories of dance halls frequented and bands they may have seen. They allowed our residents to really open up emotionally, giving us insights into their pasts that they had never shared before. It was great to see the happy, smiling faces of those with advanced dementia as they sang along and really engaged with the experience. Music is a very powerful tool in dementia care, and we were honoured to be a part of this project.”
In order to increase understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia, and to be able to offer support,Opera North staff and members of the La boheme cast have become Dementia Friends with The Alzheimer Society. They have also been involved with Peer Support Service (Adult Social Care). This is a Leeds-based dementia charity, in turn involved with Opera North’s community engagement Encore Scheme. These collaborations help to ensure that the performance truly is dementia friendly.
Alice Gilmour, Access Officer for Opera North, said:
“At Opera North, we’re committed to breaking down any barrier which prevents someone from experiencing opera. We were particularly keen to hold a dementia friendly performance with so many people and their families affected by the condition and the limitations it can place on their lives. La bohème felt like the perfect work for us to offer in a dementia-friendly format and we look forward to making it an extra special experience for everyone involved.”
Victoria Leeds, Opera North’s first Access Ambassador, generously supports the dementia friendly performance.
Opera North offers a wide range of services to help people with access needs fully enjoy live performances in Leeds and on tour. These include audio described, captioned and sign interpreted performances.
La bohème is at Leeds Grand Theatre on:
Tue 22 Oct 7.30pm audio described
Wed 23 Oct 2.30pm
Thu 24 Oct 2.30pm dementia friendly
Thu 24 Oct 7.30pm
Sat 26 Oct 2.30pm sign interpreted
Sat 26 Oct 7.30pm
Feature photograph by Richard H Smith. Remaining photographs by Amy Charles.
