The Galtres Centres has a new host of residents as Dusky Sapphire Productions with The Blue Light Theatre Company return for another sunny theatrical offering, swapping slippers for showtunes.
Writer Perri Ann Barley is keen to show that life’s biggest moments don’t end with retirement – and for those living in the Broadway Retirement and Care Home this is certainly true. From Bingo to Broadway, does exactly what it says on the biscuit tin, with a few heartwarming surprises along the way.
This may be some of Barley’s best writing so far: swapping the usual busyness for a more linear tale, with one main objective. We follow newbie resident, the youthful Cora who decides to offer her theatrical experience to provide entertainment for the upcoming charity fundraiser, as they raise vital funds for the home following budget cuts (a story far too familiar for many).
And with ambition and gumption, she rallies her peers to swap their dominoes for dancing and score boards for song sheets.
Of course, as with any stage comedy, things are never that simple and getting a bunch of retirees to pop down their daubbers is a challenge. But it’s not just their unwillingness to participate, humour sparks from their enthusiasm too, especially Ron, portrayed by Glen Gears, who attempts to bring magic to the table, learning that lighting up the room should not be a literal undertaking!
Barley not only devises the script but stars as the dreamer Cora, desperate to gain some distraction from the lack of contact from her Aussie relatives. And with direction from Brenda Riley, also taking to the stage as resident Mary, each of the occupants depict a glimpse into their golden years; from Zoe Whiting’s snoozing Phyllis, with excess questions but limited hearing to accept the answers, to Vera’s (Pat Mortimer) military level commitment to Bingo, crabby and competitive in her approach.
But this production isn’t just a comedy, it tackles real life, relatable issues. Whether that’s Mary’s dementia excellently portrayed by Riley or Lance’s (multi-roling Craig Barley) lingering hospital appointment, where his optimism prevails, after all, who doesn’t love tapping their troubles away? This production offers real heart, with an especially hard hitting act one finale, which thrives due to the attention to detail offered to the production.
As the curtains part, we soon know where we are, as we step through the doors of the care home, and for two hours we get to be their guest. The all-familiar social space, pile of board games, bingo game in motion, whilst familiar paintings hang and furniture lingers. We get to see the quick witted exchanges, unsteady dance rehearsals and the beauty of the honesty they offer; after all ‘as well as losing your marbles, you lose your filter too’.
Whilst stereotypes may be interwoven into the narrative to emphasise the comedic elements, and for our own entertainment value, the resulting message couldn’t be further from that. We see each resident’s reality unfold, their own story told and we get the privilege to listen. With a main takeaway that age truly is just a number and only we can determine our own journey.
If you’d like to step into a different kind of Broadway, swapping bingo nights for bright lights, head on down to the Galtres Centre, Easingwold for an entertaining summer offering.
From Bingo to Broadway is at the Galtres Centre until Saturday 27 June. Tickets are £12 and available via the venue website.
