The residents of Balhousie Ruthven Towers let their hair down when a theatre group visited to perform a panto. Oh yes they did!
Glasgow-based Theatre Presto – which specialises in performances for elderly people, especially in care homes, paid a visit to the Auchterarder home to deliver a hilarious act.
Written by Theatre Presto founder Preston Clare, they performed ‘Dot and the Ruby Sneakers’.
Complete with funny songs, natty costumes and even a dog, the performance went down a storm with the Ruthven Towers residents.
Lisa McGraw, Lifestyle and Leisure Lead at Ruthven Towers, said: “Our residents had a fabulous time enjoying the panto; they haven’t stopped talking about the visit, and they can’t wait for the next one.
“It was lovely to see them all so engaged in the performance, and the actors did a fantastic job of making the residents feel a real part of it by interacting with them.
“We are so grateful to the team at Theatre Presto for organising a brilliant day.”
Theatre Presto, which was founded in 2011, has visited Ruthven Towers for several years and usually puts on two performances every year – one in the summer and one at Christmas.
Each show is especially written to involve the audience, and cast members introduce themselves to each resident before the curtain is raised.
As well as providing mental stimulation for the residents, it also helps them interact with each other.
And the music used, which is generally from past decades, helps the residents recall happy memories.
