The Island was an exploration of creative collaboration between professional artists and older people with dementia. Using The Tempest as a starting point we worked together to investigate age, memory and identity, and how these ideas can manifest themselves in performance. We are also keen to consider what form performance may take in order to be fully accessible to people with dementia and their families, friends and carers.
The project was funded by Arts Council England through Grants for the Arts and was a partnership with the residents of Shore Green, an extra care housing scheme in Wythenshawe supporting people with dementia to live independently.
Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
That, if I then had waked after long sleep
Will make me sleep again; and then in dreaming
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked
I cried to dream again (III.ii.130–138).
