Thespians conjure up sunny beach for elderly this winter

To fend off winter’s chilly grip, a group of young drama students have decided to use props and drama to transport older people to a warm and sunny beach.

You could say it would take some special acting skills to make a cold person feel warm and you’d be right.

However residents at Connors House Residential Home felt suitably rejuvenated and cheery as they donned knotted hankies and sun hats and acted out a day at the seaside.

Old film footage of people relaxing and having fun in the ‘Great British Seaside’, got residents in the mood.

Actors from StAGEs Performance Collective recreated the seaside feel as part of six weeks of artistic ‘days out’ with residents.

The drama students are looking to use drama and role play to inspire people of all ages and have a number of creative activities over the next few weeks.

In one session, residents were invited to camp in the woods and a forest was projected onto blank canvases around them.

The drama students used songs and different woodland scents including acorns, leaves, pines and apples to create an autumnal environment.

This managed to stir up lots of memories for residents of childhoods spent exploring woods.

"The residents thoroughly enjoyed both of the activities and they can’t wait to see what the performers will create next” said Christine Devlin, manager of Connors House in Canterbury.

In another session, actors used story telling, shadow puppetry and pantomime characters to perform the Brother's Grimm's Hansel and Gretel fairytale in the woodland setting.

Christine Devlin added: “Spending time with young people is imperative to our residents’ wellbeing, whether it’s school children singing Christmas carols or older drama students performing for them, they love it all.”