Our memories inspire some talented young people from Darlington

Home news

Aug 27, 2013

We have been working with the young people from the Darlington Arts Academy (DAA) to capture some of our memories of the last 60 years that they have turned into a play called Diamonds are Forever.

The group visited us and chatted to the residents so they could capture memories from the 1950s that they then used as the basis for a 15 minute play, which they then performed for us.

Our manager Mitch Lloyd said: “Our residents spent some time chatting to the team about their memories and the history of the area and they were delighted to see the production the group put on in the home.”

The DAA’s Rebecca McGarvie said: “The participants chatted with the residents after the performance and were able to get more ideas and these have been incorporated into the full-length production which they will develop and rehearse at a Summer Theatre School held between 5^th – 10th August at the Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, with a performance on the Saturday by the cast aged six-16 years old.

“The memories gave the cast and writers lots of ideas for fictional characters and as well as background to events. It was a real insight into the social history of the Queen’s reign and the students were struck by how, although technology has radically changed, emotions and families remain very much the same.”

The academy has invited residents to the show and Mitch said: “I am sure some of our team and residents would love to go and see their memories brought to life on stage.”