Guests are invited to enter the world of a fictional residential care home in this large-scale experimental show by Christopher Green. The Home is a 48-hour immersive experience which gives participants the opportunity to discover the problems and pleasures of being cared for in a communal setting, and explores the care home as a place of reinvention and possibility.
The innovative new work will see 30 people coming to stay in a theatrical care home for an entire weekend. The performance is customised to the individual as they will have their own room, meal plan, treatment regime, entertainment and wellbeing programme, plus dedicated key-workers who provide care.
The Home is created by multi award-winning artist Christopher Green and features a large and diverse cast. The cast is made up of elder participants who are emerging as performers, highly-skilled professional actors of all ages and a support team of experts, activists and communicators in the field of ageing and residential care.
Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive and Artistic of ARC Stockton, said:
“The UK’s social care system is in crisis, and we have to work together to find new ways of ensuring older people can continue to enjoy their lives as they age. We believe that arts activity such as The Home can play a really important part in helping us to reimagine the world and explore how we could do things differently. Christopher Green is an artist at the top of his game, and it’s a massive coup for Stockton, thanks to the support of Hampton by Hilton, to be hosting this show. As co-commissioners, ARC has been involved from the beginning and the show will provide opportunities for local people to take part as well as experience the event. It’s something really different for the town. ”
The work has grown out of Green’s long-established practice of blurring the lines between theatre and audience, and between imagination and reality, which has featured in his work commissioned by a host of institutions including Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, V&A, The Guggenheim New York, and The British Library. The Home premiered in London in September before coming to Stockton between Friday 4th October and Sunday 6th October and will then move to Tokyo later in the year.
As well as the residential experience, there are a number of Visitors’ Passes available for events that are part of the show. These include The Talent Show on Saturday 5th October at 2pm where residents and guests show off their talents to win prizes, The Bingo Party at 7.30pm on Saturday where attendees can share in prizes, drinks and good times with a group of great people. Sunday 6th October sees a Non-Denominational Worship and Mindfulness Session at 10.30am and The Home Open Afternoon and Cupcake Day at 2.30pm. Tickets for all Visitors’ Passes can be reserved at ARC and are priced on a Pay What You Decide basis
Tickets for the durational experience of 48 hours in The Home cost £100 (single room) or £140 (shared twin room). Tickets can be bought online at www.arconline.co.uk or via ARC on 01642 525199. Over 18s only.