Coming of age

Every Wednesday for the last 19 years, West Yorkshire Playhouse has been transformed into a hive of creativity as the members of ‘Heydays’, an initiative set up to encourage older people to take part in the creative arts, participate in a diverse range of activities. From street dance to singing, portrait painting to play reading: over the years the activities have evolved and the membership has flourished. The Playhouse buzzes with activity, laughter and chatter, demonstrating the much-valued social interaction this day out offers. Membership now stands at over 400, and many of the original members are still regular attenders.

Every available space is used to accommodate the 21 different activities, which means that the play-readers might find themselves performing their scripts in the vastness of the Quarry Theatre, and visual artists might show off their talents in the bar area. At the end of each term, members are encouraged to share their new skills by staging a celebratory performance, concert or exhibition. Over the years, members have had the chance to work with a variety of professional artists, to meet actors and directors from Playhouse productions, and to feel a real sense of belonging in the theatre. In turn, members make an invaluable contribution to the theatre’s cultural tapestry. The wealth of experience, expertise and enthusiasm that Heydays members bring to the Playhouse is astounding, and anyone who has had contact with the group over the years would testify to their massive contribution.
With such a wealth of talent available, projects have included everything from tutoring classes to volunteering at events and working with those with learning or sensory disabilities. Heydays members have contributed to our ‘Storymakers’ scheme, which encourages primary school children to create their own stories from a specific stimulus or prop. In relation to this year’s Christmas show, ‘The Snow Queen’, Heydays members made intricate ice flowers to send out to school children. Having decided that the ice flower was a necklace for a giant, one school was rewarded by a visit from a giant (costumed Heydays members) so that they could return his necklace.
After 19 successful years, it is a challenge to continue to bring something new and interesting to the programme, so activities have become more daring. Recently, members have been learning DJ and MC skills, hip-hop dancing, oral history recording and philosophy. Heydays members set their own challenges too: several members of the existing drama group branched out to devise their own work as Feeling Good Theatre Company. They have created work based on the issues of ageing, and been commissioned to produce shows for West Yorkshire Police and the National Osteoporosis Society. Both shows are now toured to community venues, residential settings and conferences around the country. Their new work is regularly showcased at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Heydays members boost audience figures by taking advantage of special offers, bringing their children and grandchildren to the theatre and passing on great word of mouth promotion for the work of the Playhouse. Having such a large group of people who are so fully engaged with, and supportive of, the work we do is an asset that can be used for our benefit, and of course to allow Heydays itself to continue to go from strength to strength as the project comes of age.