Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury to Present SWINGERS

SEXUALITY in older people is the subject of a new production at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

Swingers will examine this rarely-discussed subject in a series of workshops, rehearsals and performance.

The project is by Encounter Productions. Artistic Director Jennifer Malarkey said it came about from a desire to have a conversation about sex, intimacy and the experience of ageing: "All things we don't talk openly about enough (if at all). We live in an increasingly sexualized world yet the people who have been 'doing it' the longest are too often not invited to join the conversation. Swingers will place older people centre stage in an adventurous, imaginative and political way."

The workshop Stories From The Swinging Sixties is for aspiring or experienced writers and anyone with an interest in this time. Participants will work with writer Lee Mattinson (National Theatre, Royal Exchange, Soho Theatre), sharing their stories of the "summer of love" era and what it meant to grow up this time of social and political change. This is from 2pm to 5pm on Monday 10 August.

On Tuesday 11 August (10am to 1pm), acclaimed movement director Simone Coxall (The Globe) will lead Twist and Shout. This workshop will cover a range of fun and interesting theatre exercises to a backdrop of The Beatles, The Kinks, Joni Mitchell and more.

Making Your Mind Up (10am to 1pm, Wednesday 12 August) is for anyone with an interest in performing and devising. Gain an insight into the creative process and how a show is created from a single idea with Jennifer Malarkey (Traverse, Soho Theatre, Northern Stage). Participants will see the new show taking shape through task-based exercises, direction and devising.

As well as the workshops, local people are invited to take part in the show. No previous experience of performing is needed, just an interest in the subject and availability for some or all of the rehearsals. These take place from 10am to 4pm on Thursday 13, Friday 14 August, and Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 August. The performance (sharing day) will be in front of an invited audience on Thursday 20 August.

All the activities are for adults aged 55 and over with or without experience in the arts. They take place in The Marlowe Lab and are free of charge but are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Email jennifer@encounterproductions.org to book.

Swingers is funded by Farnham Maltings' greenhouse initiative with support from The Marlowe Theatre.

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