Introduction

Heydays

Feeling Good Theatre Company

Community Network

Beautiful Octopus Club

First Floor

Feeling Good Theatre Company is made up of members of Heydays, the Playhouse's weekly creative arts project for people over the age of 55.

Find out more about Heydays...

Members of the company devise, write and produce all their own material, supported by various staff at the Playhouse. Feeling Good's shows are thought-provoking, poignant and appeal to a wide range of audiences. The company's overriding aim is to challenge the negative stereotyping that surrounds the older generation, instead presenting real and positive images of later life and retirement.

During the last three years the company have given 170 performnaces nationwide at Health and Social Care, Police and Trading Standard conferences as well as to Church Groups and Day Centres. Feeling Good's Distraction Burglaries sketches were recently featured on the BBC Politics Show.

The warmth, honesty and humour of their productions give them a wide appeal and they are now establishing a national reputation for the quality and value of their work.

Current work

Feeling Good Theatre Company are currently offering the following opportunities to groups who wish to see their work.

Distraction Burglaries A 45 minute performance of short sketches with audience participation. They all take place around a door, clearly demonstrating the importance of using the door chain and many more home safety rules for the elderly. These sketches were developed with West Yorkshire Police and have been approved by the Home Office. Most recently featured on the BBC Politics Show.
Cost: Travel expenses + donation

Ageing and Vulnerability A 90 minute workshop and disussion for those involved with older people. We provide a series of practical activities so that participants can experience for themselves what it feels like to be older and vulnerable.
Cost: Travel expenses + negotiated fee

Age Discrimination A 2 hour drama and discussion session for those involved with older people. We present 3 dramatic performances, each followed by group discussions with members of the company, focusing on the following issues: supporting older people to remain active, confident and independent; recognising lonely older people's needs for friendship and relationships.
Cost: Travel costs and negotiated fee

For further information or to book a performance for your venue or festival contact Nicky Taylor, Community Development Officer on 0113 213 7296 or nicky.taylor@wyp.org.uk or Rita Keeley on 0113 273 1832 .

Previous work

Whatever Next a witty and uplifting show that challenges ageism and features musical performances from rap to ballads. Whatever Next explores the themes of age, life and love. It centres aroung a group of people embarking on a course in "Ageology" which results in a heartwarming voyage of self-discovery for every member.

The Time of Our Lives
A collection of sketches, songs, poems and dance which comment on the bitter-sweet life of later years.

Act Your Age
An unusual look at marriage and funerals.

The Way We Are
Does the need for romance ever die?

Funding

Previous funders of the company have included West Yorkshire Police. Chief Superintendent Brian Steele liaised with Dr Amanda Thornton, a clinical psychologist for the elderly and Feeling Good Theatre Company to produce a script that presented all the essential information about the crime to elderly audiences.

A training video was also made in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police, YTV and Trading Standards.