A TRAVELLING theatre troupe has been visiting Teesside care homes to deliver performances for elderly residents.
The Northeast Producers Travelling Theatre Company has performed classic musical Oliver! at three of the region’s Hill Care Group run care settings.
Residents at Briarwood Care Home, on Normanby Road, Eston, The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, Middlesbrough, and Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, have all enjoyed the show.
Two actors, Greta Rocchino and Amy Mclaughlin, perform all the play’s roles and encourage audience participation throughout.
While singing Oom-Pah-Pah, Consider Yourself and You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, residents staff and visitors all joined in with a singalong.
Greta said: “It was a pleasure to perform at Hill Care’s homes. The audience always gets really involved in the performance and it was lovely to hear them sing and dance along.”
John Kelly, who lives at Briarwood Care Home, ad-libbed with the actors throughout the show. He said: “The whole thing was great.”
Norma Dobbie, activities coordinator at the home, said: “What always stands out for me is seeing the residents’ faces when the actors change their costumes to play the different parts. Everyone really enjoys the performances and they are always good.”
Mark Culley, home manager, added: “The theatre company has been bringing musicals to the home for four years and their year-end shows are a firm favourite with residents and family members alike.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Greta, Amy and the rest of the Northeast Producers Travelling Theatre Company for visiting the home and continuing to entertain our residents. We hope to see another performance soon.”