Pictures of you

A joyful mini-film inspired by JAMS’ 10 year artistic practice and created with, by, and for the older dementia community and beyond. It boasts an excellent original music score, delightful choreography, and is full of nostalgic images and sounds to engage and uplift any audience.

 Artistic Director Louisa White wanted to produce a piece of theatre, which was: accessible to all; celebrates JAMS’ wonderful, colourful work, and was inspired by the incredible people met and the stories shared.

Louisa hoped to offer a piece of music and dance theatre that showed the performance arts to be accessible; “so many times I have heard, “I can’t dance now” or “I can’t dance like I used to” and what I want to demonstrate is dance can be very captivating as a seated practice, that it can be performed on chairs, in care homes, and by everyone, encouraging people to drop the I’m not good/young/fit enough label and give it a go!”

  Pictures of You consists of 6 short vignette pieces that work either as stand-alone or viewed together. The total length of the piece is just over 10 minutes. Each vignette reflects a theme often used in creative sessions, which everyone is able to relate to. Each one includes something about JAMS’ creative practice and holds within it stories of the elders who participated in the development of Pictures of You. For example, the costumes were chosen after a drawing exercise where ladies described their dresses.

Vignette 1 - Openings

Dancers mirror the sensitivity, trust and care employed by the visiting artist and reciprocated by the other to meet and achieve a meaningful interaction.

Vignette 2 - Life’s a Beach

The classic British seaside holiday is recreated complete with eye candy and a short sharp shower! Being from the South Coast many of the elders JAMS meet have fond memories of the sea and waterways.

Vignette 3 - Let’s go to the Water

This mini-film was named after a lovely elder who always greeted Louisa by saying, “Let’s go to the water”.

Vignette 4 - Everything Stops for Tea

We love staying for a cuppa after a thirsty JAMS session and wanted to celebrate this great British institution, and what it means to us!

Vignette 5 - Domestic Demi-Gods

This reflects the many stories of mangles and washing lines that stretched across the gardens or yards and the importance of a clean and welcoming home.

Vignette 6 - Dance the Night Away

From dance halls to village halls young gals and boys gather to practice the latest routines.

 JAMS are incredibly grateful for the generous support of Arts Council England, Eastleigh Borough Councillors, and The Point Eastleigh.