A sensory and immersive theatre show for older people with dementia.
Touring this September - October 2024
Milk, Two Sugars
Milk, Two Sugars is a sensory experience designed with and for older people with dementia living in care homes.
The show combines storytelling and performance with live music, puppetry and sensory exploration to create an interactive and engaging experience for older audiences.
More about the show:
Milk, Two Sugars’ is based on a touring tea-trolley - a comforting and familiar visitor to every care home lounge. The, Milk, Two Sugars tea trolley is operated by Clementine and Johnny who invite the audience to join in on their tea-party cabaret spectacular. This tea-trolley will still work as a practical tea-trolley, audiences will be served a drink…however it will also be packed full of theatrical and sensory surprises for our audiences to engage with! So, they can enjoy some live music, meet interesting new characters and listen to some storytelling before trying our very own tea-infused mocktail. The idea to base this immersive show on a tea-trolley came from speaking with care home staff and health care professionals and becoming aware of the ongoing issue around dehydration in older individuals living in care homes. Not only do creative activities provide space for connection and joyful rest-bite but they can also improve health and wellbeing. As well as providing entertainment for audiences Milk, Two Sugars also promotes and aids hydration so that older people can lead happier and healthier lives. This show has been adapted to be delivered for both large groups and 1-1 bedside performances.
How does it work?
Milk, Two Sugars is delivered over the course of one day. We arrive at your care home in the morning and deliver 3 bedside performances for those who are unable to access to care home lounge. We then deliver 1 large group performance for a maximum of 25 residents.
How much does it cost?
This experience is priced at £100 + VAT for the full day.
With special thanks…
This project has been funded by Arts Council England, Cultural SpringThe Allan Lane Foundation, The Barbour Foundation and Northumbria University. It was co-created with 3 care homes in the North East; The Laurels, Primrose and St Marks Care Home, thank you!
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration!
Milk, Two Sugars promotes hydration and as part of the show each audience member will receive their very own Summer Fizz cocktail. We have partnered with mixologist, Ashton Williamson, to create a tea-inspired cocktail with a twist. The cocktail blends Twinings GLOW tea with strawberry and raspberry puree and is served with a choice of Ginger Ale or Citrus Soda. Lastly, it is served with a Jelly Drop.
Older people living in care homes, specifically those with dementia, are at a higher risk of illness caused by dehydration. A study by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) found that 20% of older people living in care homes were dehydrated. This can cause a range of health issues to the older person as well as adding pressure to NHS services.
We have partnered with research Dr Heather Yemm from Sunderland University to research whether there is a correlation between engagement in creative activity and increased levels of hydration in older people living with dementia in care homes.
“Fantastic, very friendly from start to finish the show was very entertaining and kept our residents engaged”
-Care Home Manager, Sunderland