THE VISITORS
In 2006 it was estimated that more than 210,000 Australians had a diagnosis of dementia. Currently over 9600 Australians under the age of 65 have early onset dementia, some as young as 30.
With the ageing of Australia's population, we can expect a significant increase in the numbers of people affected by dementia within the next few decades. By 2050, it is projected that 730000 people will have a diagnosis of dementia unless there is a medical breakthrough.
The Visitors is the latest project to come from the award winning partnership of Urban Myth Theatre Company and ECH (link. http://www.ech.asn.au/). Having received critical acclaim from both the arts and health and age care sectors for 2011’s production Also a Mirror and its ensuing second season and adaptation for Radio National, this intergenerational collaboration has remained true and fast friends to create performance and arts projects that explore Dementia and memory loss and that empower young people to be the story tellers of our elders.
Once again the organisations have entrusted respected and award-winning playwright Sean Riley to research and write this new play looking at a family who is faced with the tragedy of a father who has Early Onset Dementia.
Bringing together a surprise package of local professional actors to work with the young cast from Urban Myth, Artistic Director Glenn Hayden will once again direct the project.
The Visitors is yet another positive outcome from the on-going relationship between our two organisations. (Glenn Hayden, AD Urban Myth). The intergenerational nature of our collaborations is the core of the works successes matched only by both org’s commitment to create artistic excellence for the advocacy of people suffering from Dementia and memory loss. This is proof yet again of the power and necessity of the arts in our society.
The commissioning of The Visitors is financially supported by SA Health, Office for the Ageing
In 2006 it was estimated that more than 210,000 Australians had a diagnosis of dementia. Currently over 9600 Australians under the age of 65 have early onset dementia, some as young as 30.
With the ageing of Australia's population, we can expect a significant increase in the numbers of people affected by dementia within the next few decades. By 2050, it is projected that 730000 people will have a diagnosis of dementia unless there is a medical breakthrough.
The Visitors is the latest project to come from the award winning partnership of Urban Myth Theatre Company and ECH (link. http://www.ech.asn.au/). Having received critical acclaim from both the arts and health and age care sectors for 2011’s production Also a Mirror and its ensuing second season and adaptation for Radio National, this intergenerational collaboration has remained true and fast friends to create performance and arts projects that explore Dementia and memory loss and that empower young people to be the story tellers of our elders.
Once again the organisations have entrusted respected and award-winning playwright Sean Riley to research and write this new play looking at a family who is faced with the tragedy of a father who has Early Onset Dementia.
Bringing together a surprise package of local professional actors to work with the young cast from Urban Myth, Artistic Director Glenn Hayden will once again direct the project.
The Visitors is yet another positive outcome from the on-going relationship between our two organisations. (Glenn Hayden, AD Urban Myth). The intergenerational nature of our collaborations is the core of the works successes matched only by both org’s commitment to create artistic excellence for the advocacy of people suffering from Dementia and memory loss. This is proof yet again of the power and necessity of the arts in our society.
The commissioning of The Visitors is financially supported by SA Health, Office for the Ageing
ALSO A MIRROR RADIO PLAY
ECH and Urban Myth's award winning production of Sean Riley's play Also a Mirror is being produced for ABC Radio National in 2012. Incorporating professional actors alongside the voices of the original Urban Myth cast, this beautiful insight into Dementia and memory loss will then be the basis of an online resource for schools and the aged care industry.
Listen to Also A Mirror the Radio Play here
Listen to The Making of Also A Mirror the Radio Play here
The relationship between ECH and Urban Myth has been a perfect example of two differing industries coming together to create amazing theatre based on first hand stories from the community through working with the community.
*****2011 Every Generation Positive Ageing - Every Generation Creative Arts Award
*****2012 ACS SA & NT Awards for Excellence: Media Award
*****2012 International Dementia Excellence Awards: Dementia and the Arts
STTARS Ongoing theatre workshops for women and teenagers from refugee background.
Out of The Mist
Director/Performance Artist Emma Beech and Writer Michael Hill worked with residence of Park Rose and members of Urban Myth to create a beautiful exploration of the past and present.
Ongoing theatre workshops and productions
Curfew
Newmet
Sean Riley's My Sister Violet
A production exploring ADHD.
**Winner: Best Youth Production 2005**
Caroline Reid's Prayer to an Iron God
Exploring domestic violence and youth suicide.