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  • 3 performers link arms
  • 2 people holding hands
  • Older woman laughing out loud
Sharing Joy
#SharingJoy

Sharing Joy

Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance created for people living with dementia, learning disabilities and other neurological conditions. Through music, dance, puppetry and laughter, the show brings 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, so whether you’re caring for someone at home or working professionally in care, everyone is welcome.

Sharing Joy can be performed in a variety of venues, including theatres, care homes, hospices, hospitals and community centres.

Vamos Theatre has been working with the health and care sectors for over a decade, offering performances and workshops that engage, educate and inspire.

Download Flyer for all Health and Care Performances

Benefits and learning outcomes
•  Encourages a re-engagement with culture
•  Involves high levels of participation, proven to improve mental and physical health
•  Encourages confidence, attention and communication, improving well-being and contentment
•  Gives people living with dementia the opportunity to connect in alternative ways
•  Promotes knowledge, training and skill-building in carers, supporting the delivery of excellent care
•  Provides meaningful engagement, an Essential Skills cluster for pre-registration nurses (NMC) and a Social Care Institute Marker of Excellence.
•  Links to Care Certificate Standards 4,5,6, 7 and 9 (HSC training).

Our funders
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 and has been generously supported by Sir Barry Jackson Trust and Gary Wiltshire. A special commission of the show toured as part of Sanctuary Care's Shine project. The 2020 tour of Sharing Joy was generously supported by Creative Scotland.

The Team

CAST

Ricardo Aguiar
Tisa Klicek
Shanez Pattni
Graeme Rose

Previous cast members: Alejandra Bacelar Pereira, Aron De Casmaker, Richard J Fletcher, Sarah Hawkins, Honor Hoskins, Nik Howden, Marissa Gunter, Sean Kempton, Angela Laverick, Douglas Rutter, Rachael Savage, Lotte Tickner.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Rachael Savage
Musical Director: Janie Armour
Set/Costume Designer: Carl Davies
Mask/Puppet Maker: Russell Dean
Choreographer: Rachael Alexander
Assistant Choreographer: Carden Stapleton
Consultant: Ken Howard

OTHER INFO

RUNNING TIME: 50 mins

FUNDERS: Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council and the Elmley Foundation

Sharing Joy  brings all the production qualities, humour, warmth and love of Vamos Theatre’s renowned touring productions right into the heart of the care community.

Trailer

Reviews

It literally does make you dance with Joy and leaves you feeling happy and part of something very special.

Helen Park, Regency Care Home, Worcester

You bring us noise and laughter and make us feel alive.

Doris, 102,

Residents who hadn't communicated very well were suddenly filled with emotion, and chatting  to care staff for days later

Anita Fletcher, Heathlands Residential Care Home

That was the best time I’ve had since my wedding night!

Hugh, 84,

Music has this effect on me. That was wonderful and took me back to such fantastic times with my wife.

John, 86, Marion Road Day Centre, Norwich, Norfolk

I have never seen our clients so happy and engaged.

Mandie Fitzgerald, CEO Headway, Worcestershire

A good laugh is what it's all about. I'm trying now to have a straight face. I can't do it!

June, 81, Dell Care, Lowestoft, Suffolk

I could sit and dance and talk with you all night long, simple as A, B, C: I'm brimming over.

John, 75, Beechwood, Upton upon Severn

What a revelation. Thank you for bringing such a heart-warming experience to our day centre.

Mary Britton, Day Care Manager, Heritage House, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk

I thought it would be the same old thing; it wasn't. It was different, always different: will you come back?

Kathleen, 89, Redhill Court, Kings Norton

My mum is still talking about it and says it's the best show she has ever seen. She was so chuffed that one of the actors kissed her.

Kathy Cronin, Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

Even just glancing around looking at the residents' faces was so emotional and so well worth everyone’s efforts.

Cathie Emus, Deputy Home Manager: Breme Residential Care Home

I will live on that fun for 3 months to come.

Brenda Luckman, 90, Resident, Hastings Care Home

I really enjoyed the dancing. The boys danced lovely.

Ivy, 91, De Lucy House, Diss, Norfolk

It's the friendship they give, and I hope we remain friends.  

Jo, Regency Care Home, Worcester

 It really did put a smile on so many residents' faces...they had lots of laughter...I can’t thank you enough