Doorbells: Dreaming for the Future
We are proud to present a revised version of Doorbells.
My home, my castle, my container, my prison?
How do we imagine the future of where and how we live? Who will we live with? What can we afford? What will our lives look like and how will we manage? This sensitive, humorous and moving performance, with original songs and live soundscapes, explores:
Behind our doorbells and front doors, how are we dreaming of the future?
Doorbells is a humorous, poignant and reflective theatre show about the wonderful world of imaginative and surreal lands that enable survival of being alone, and where magical journeys unfold to transport us beyond the everyday.
Doorbells has been commissioned by Care & Repair England and Elders Council of Newcastle, supported by Northumbria University.
Care & Repair England is an independent charitable organisation established in 1986 to improve older people’s housing.
Heléna Herklots Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Our ageing population has created a new generation of older people who are devoting their retirement to caring for their parents, relatives and partners – a challenge previous generations have not faced.”
In England and Wales, Almost 1.3 million retired people are caring for ill partners or their own ageing parents. Census figures suggest this represents a dramatic increase of 35% in the last ten years.
The Institute of Public Policy Research says that in 2012 there were 1.2 million people aged over 65 without adult children and estimates that by 2030, this will rise to approximately 2 million. Some 230,000 will be in need of more than 20 hours’ care a week, and many will not have immediate family support.
By 2025 almost one in every four people in the UK, will be aged over 65 (ONS 2011)(1) and currently in Newcastle 37% of people aged 65 and over, live alone (2). Such statistics raise critical questions such as whose responsibility is it to secure all our futures, our individual and collective older age.
Audience feedback
“What a performance! Your character Kathleen, I wanted to hug her and kick her; I wanted to shake her and share tea with her. She was so immediate and believable. The dreamer lost in travellers’ tales and ‘exotic’ cultures past; the daughter at a distance; the ‘neighbour’ who is unsettled by ebb and flow of new neighbours; the part time worker with the creaky house that nevertheless helps her make meaning; the widow who’s trying to re-imagine and action a different future self without this lifelong partner – I loved the bookworm thread culminating in using books to weigh up the good/the bad about moving/not moving; chasing the ‘living abroad’ dream/staying put; moving to all mod cons retirement complex/having no surplus cash to enjoy the facilities etc…and so much more.” Dr Cathy Bailey, Northumbria University.
“Very thought provoking and useful – entertaining as well – beautifully performed. Appreciated the hospitality and the time to discuss the issues within a small group. A very valuable evening. Thank you.” Audience Member