Theatre company taking celebration to Buckinghamshire care homes

Rah Rah have been given extra funding by Heart of Bucks

Author: Dan GoodingPublished 9th Jul 2021

A theatre company, which has been taking the arts to isolated people in Buckinghamshire during the pandemic, is going on tour.

The Rah Rah Theatre Company have been given funding by Heart of Bucks to take their 'Rock Around the Clock' show to twenty venues.

They say the show will be a celebration for community groups and care homes.

Clubs, activities, and volunteering, which older people previously were involved with, have been put on hold during the pandemic and friends and family have needed to stay away, leaving many older people feeling lonely and isolated.

Age UK states:

“We have heard from older people who said they had spent days without speaking to anyone and were left feeling unloved, unwanted, and forgotten.

"Some older people told us that they are feeling down, have lost pleasure and purpose in their lives, and feel as if every day is the same.

"We were sometimes told that there is nothing for them to look forward to and sadly a proportion even questioned whether their life is worth living.”

Who are Rah Rah?

Rah Rah Theatre Company is a touring theatre company that has been working tirelessly through the pandemic to visit and perform to isolated vulnerable people in the community.

They have performed in Care Home car parks, Sheltered Housing courtyards, as well as the doorsteps of vulnerable people in local communities.

Rah Rah has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback they have received, for example:

"My Dad, due to his dementia, has barely said a word since lockdown started. I watched with tears in my eyes as he sang along to all of Rah Rah’s songs. I will never forget this very special moment!"

Rah Rah is excited to announce that they have received funding from Heart of Bucks (Community Foundation for Buckinghamshire) to tour our much loved show Rock Around the Clock this Summer to twenty community venues in Buckinghamshire.

Rah Rah is looking forward to bringing some much-needed joy and fun to their elderly audiences and the staff who have worked hard to adapt and cope during the pandemic.

They see this tour as a celebration for community groups and care homes as they start to re-open their doors.

The show is called Rock Around the Clock, a musical comedy and love story, set in the 50’s containing all the popular tunes of that time.

The show has been devised to whisk audiences back to this memorable era allowing them to participate and reminisce.

The cast comprises three professionally trained actors who have a wealth of experience performing in the community.

Rah Rah has worked for 20 years within the community and seen first-hand the truth of the Arts Council statement, “Getting involved in creative activities in communities reduces loneliness, supports physical and mental health and wellbeing, sustains older people and helps to build and strengthen social ties.”

They wanted to thank Heart of Bucks for allowing them to continue their work this Summer.

The venues we plan to visit in Buckinghamshire are: Lewin House -The Fremantle Trust, White plains residential home, Sir Aubrey Ward House, Oak Lodge Day Service, The Princes Centre Bourne End, Mulberry Court, The Heights Nursing Home, The Princes Centre Princes Risborough, Quarrendon & Meadowcroft Community Centre, Cliveden Manor, Chesham Bois Manor Care Home, WoodlandsPark Care Centre, Tower Drive Centre, Farnham Common House, Flackwell Heath & Loudwater Day Centre, Kilkenny House and Sun House.

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