# Royal Hospital patients enjoy a Shakespearean visit thanks to the Big Lottery Fund

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/05/30/royal-hospital-patients-enjoy-shakespearean-visit-thanks-big-lottery-fund/
- Published: 2006-05-30T14:59:13+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

As well as the therapists, nurses, friends and family normally on the wards of the
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, patients have also been enjoying visits from
a more unusual group.

 

Over the last three weeks, actors and actresses from professional theatre company,
Ladder to the Moon, have been performing their own interactive version of Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet to patients, staff and relatives.

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As part of a nine-month project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, six hospitals across
South West London have benefited from the company’s interactive performances, designed
to engage patients by bringing them a stimulus outside of the every day.

 

Anne Fenech, is the International Fellow in Recreational and Leisure Activities 
at the hospital, and has attended each of the theatre sessions. The patients have
really enjoyed having Ladder to the Moon in the hospital.” Says Fenech.

 

The performances engaged patients entirely. To begin with most just watched what
was happening, but by halfway through the placement, they were playing musical instruments
or acting as characters in the play!”

 

According to Ladder to the Moon Artistic Director, Chris Gage, this reaction is 
not unusual, and is the purpose of the programme. Over the past three years we have
run seven residential projects in healthcare settings, but this is the first working
with people with Neuro-disabilities.” Says Gage.

 

The interactive nature of our performances means that characters spend a lot of 
time communicating with patients and involving them in story lines. The positive
reaction we have seen at the Royal Hospital is representative of the whole programme,
which is why we feel that this is such an important aspect of our work and a project
to continue bringing to those in hospital.”

 

Ladder to the moon is a registered charity and is currently looking for new partners
and support funding. For more information on how you can help, please contact Artistic
Director Chris Gage on 020 7228 9700 or email ch***@****************co.uk

 

Ends

 

For more information contact Royal Hospital Press and PR Officer Sarah Wilson on
0208 785 7844 or sw*****@*****rg.uk

 

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