Students put on unique performance at Hackney's social club for the over 60s
Date: 05 February 2019
Second-year students from the Choreographing Performance module of the Theatre & Performance BA course closed 2018 with a thrilling ensemble performance of snappy steps, humour and pizazz to finish their autumn programme in style.
Their brief was to create an ensemble performance for The Posh club initiative, a weekly ‘social & showbiz event for swanky senior citizens and elegant elders’ run by arts enterprise Duckie. Held in six locations across London and the South East these tea dances with a difference subvert the idea of what an elderly person’s social event is, whilst also improving their clients’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Module leader Dr Jane Turner says that finding ways for students to apply their growing choreographic and performance skills in real working environments, with the added benefit of making differences to peoples’ quality of life, is of tremendous value: “That the students' choreographic performance efforts could be used in a socially engaged context was a fantastic opportunity.
“They worked on the 10 minute presentation over the autumn and thought about every detail, from cabaret costumes to theatrical makeup. We received a hugely enthusiastic reaction from the audience who were absolutely along for the whole rollercoaster ride.”
Duckie’s philosophy
At the heart of Duckie and the Posh Club is the understanding that we are made of our wonderful differences and so these moments perhaps added to the heartwarming rich experience. And the day’s work ended with a proper knees up with the regulars, topped off with tea, cake and a tipple.