Care Home Residents Set to Tour Liverpool with Eurovision-Themed Performance

Following a sensational premiere at Unity Theatre, a Eurovision-inspired theatre production crafted by care home residents is all set to tour various care homes across Liverpool City Region, spreading joy and creativity along the way.

As a part of Liverpool’s EuroStreet program, Culture Liverpool has commissioned Nwoko Arts to produce a special Eurovision performance – ‘Songs for Europe’.

Crafted by and for care home residents, especially those battling with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Diseases, the new theatre production seeks to provide a creative outlet for them and their loved ones.

The audience will embark on a 60-minute participatory journey that blends music, comedy, movement, and the infectious energy of Eurovision. This one-of-a-kind theatre production will tour 20 care homes in May, with a 40-minute performance at the heart of the experience.

Songs For Europe a Eurovision themed performance in Care Homes. Credit: Culture Liverpool Website

The piece was created through verbatim interviews with care home residents. Recordings of residents’ thoughts about the themes of Eurovision (love, peace, unity, hope), and their memories of the fashions, hairstyles and music of the 1950s-80s have been used to create the show and are heard during the performance.

Supported with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Spirit of 2012 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, EuroStreet provides a unique opportunity for communities across the region to get involved, take part, deliver events, and celebrate all things Eurovision.

Resident Barbara Close, from St. Bartholomew’s Court Nursing Home in Huyton, said:

“I really enjoyed taking part in the workshops. I have always loved music and the Eurovision is legendary to lots of people so very excited to see the show in May and the fact I have been part of it all is lovely.”

The show includes a brand new song, “Hope Love Music” inspired by memories of 150 older people, which includes their voices, during a two-week programme of workshops in 15 care homes led by Luke Thomas and Dora Colquhoun (ADHD, the Musical).

The song promises a highly contagious sing-a-long chorus. There are plans to submit the song to the BBC to represent the UK in 2024!

The project’s Critical Friend is Graeme Phillips MBE, former Artistic Director at Unity Theatre, living with Parkinson’s & Lewy body Dementia and residing in a nursing home.