On 17 October, Brewery Arts hosted a performing arts day dedicated to the older generation, and the atmosphere was electric. The event, designed to bring together people aged 60 and over, drew more than 60 lively participants from local arts communities across Kendal, Lancaster, Morecambe, and Manchester. With the venue buzzing with creativity and camaraderie, the day was a true celebration of the arts. In the following piece, we capture insights and reflections from Jules Boswell, one of the attendees.
“The day was one of dance, theatre, writing and performance, but also offered the opportunity to forge new friendships.” – Jules Boswell
Throughout the day, attendees immersed themselves in dance and theatre workshops, collaborating to create expressive, interpretive performances. Led by Emily Davies and Becca Ellson from the Brewery Arts Creative Learning team, these sessions fostered creativity, connection, and confidence. After the workshops, participants shared a mix of existing works and fresh pieces developed during the day. From laugh-out-loud moments to deeply moving scenes, the performances captivated the audience, showcasing the powerful, unifying impact of the arts across generations.
At Brewery Arts, we take pride in celebrating the diverse individuals who bring theatre and performance to life. Every day, people of all ages walk through our doors, finding inspiration in art and connecting with our vibrant community through a variety of one-off workshops, weekly classes and creative events. Our mission is to provide a welcoming space where everyone—no matter their age—can feel confident, empowered, and fully embraced as part of the creative world.
“Having the chance to be imaginative and creative can be a rare gift in our world, and the laughter and smiling faces was evidence of time greatly enjoyed.” – Jules Boswell
The creative day was a resounding success, with a vibrant atmosphere throughout the building. Organised with performing arts groups across the region, the day welcomed Act Your Age and Mature Movers from Brewery Arts, Prime Time from The Dukes in Lancaster, and ExEl linked to the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
Conversations throughout the day highlighted the value of exchanging ideas and pooling resources. One participant says, “Every experience we have allows us to reflect, provoke thought and create beautiful art – and that’s what we did together today.”
“Perhaps what shone through, and was spoken of by many, was the importance of bringing together so many diverse people and for them to share their imagination and creativity. And… in just over an hour, they were ready to perform and entertain.” – Jules Boswell
Emily Davies, Engagement Officer at Brewery Arts states “I’m deeply passionate about supporting older adults in the arts. While we deliver lots of youth sessions and activities, and produce platforms to showcase young talent, we’re equally proud of our vibrant community of performers over 60. We want to provide them with meaningful opportunities for creative expression. Showcasing the work of the older generation can be overlooked, and we believe it’s essential to champion their contributions to the performing arts, both within our local community and beyond.”
Brewery Arts runs classes for all age groups, including Act Your Age and Mature Movers for over 60s. These weekly classes offer a fun and relaxed environment where participants can build confidence, form connections, and explore new skills. Open to all abilities, they invite everyone to embrace creativity and try something new.
The vision for the future is that Brewery Arts will host an annual over 60s performing arts platform which will be open to the public. Watch this space!
With thanks to Jules Boswell for contributing to this piece.
For more information about our programme or to join our classes, please visit our Creative Learning page
