The Act Your Age group, which meets every Tuesday afternoon in term-time, is a friendly, supportive and often hilarious group of over 55s. We get together to explore drama techniques such as devising and improvisation.

CURRENT PROJECTS

A short devised performance using a range of documentary theatre styles to portray Bury’s famous ‘Christmas Riots’ of 1644. We’re creating characters and scenes, researching folk customs and folk songs (and in one case, reviving old school-days’ music skills) to tell the story of the first year that Christmas was ‘banned’.

We are always on the lookout for new members to come and join us. No previous theatre experience is necessary.

Sessions take place every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3pm. The Autumn terms starts week beginning 11th Sep to week beginning 6th November (no session during half term, week beginning 23rd October).

If you would like to know about Act Your Age sessions email [email protected]

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

SPECIAL DELIVERY

A collaboration with Suffolk Artlink – Special Delivery – involved participants working on developing a script from hidden stories and characters from Suffolk Regiment letters from Dunkirk 1940. Stories created were recorded and produced digitally. The project was shared through our partners, Suffolk Record Office, and the Beyond Walls Festival (June 2021). This project also involved members of the Suffolk Regiment and was distributed via Suffolk Regiment Museum in June 2021.

QUARTER SESSIONS

In January 2021, a new drama based on research volunteers uncovered from Suffolk Records Office, was created. Quarter Sessions looks at minor crimes that were brought to the courts in the 1700s and explores the notions of vagabonds.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON

Act Your Age participants performed at the Christmas Light Switch-On event in Bury St Edmunds – a promenade performance of music and song which attracted a lot of press and media attention.

200th ANNIVERSARY

Close Encounters was Theatre Royal’s 200th Anniversary Tour – an immersive tour of the building with actors, for the public. Act Your Age participants were able to audition for the tour and the tour featured participants playing the ‘two fine ladies’ and the ‘beer barrel men’.