At the end of June, Nottingham cinemagoers were treated to a surprise performance from Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir at Showcase Cinema de Lux Nottingham.
Performing inside one of the cinema screens, the brilliant performance was captured on camera by local fans.
The 30-minute show came ahead of a special screening of Familiar Touch, a coming-of-old-age film following an older woman’s transition into assisted living as she contends with her conflicting relationship with herself and her caregivers, amidst her shifting memory, age identity, and desires.
Our Dementia Choir was created by Vicky McClure as part of a BBC1 documentary in 2018 that explored the true extent of music’s power in combating dementia.
Following Vicky’s own personal experience of supporting her grandma with dementia and the amazing effect music had throughout the journey, Vicky formed a choir of people all living with dementia in her hometown of Nottingham.
Brilliant photographs taken at Showcase Cinema de Lux Nottingham shows the choir performing Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ with dozens of those in attendance singing and dancing along.
Commenting on the performance, Vicky McClure said: “Our Dementia Choir is all about bringing people together through the power of music and sparking connection, community and understanding.
“We were delighted to help support this cause ahead of the screening of Familiar Touch – a brilliant film that shines an important light on the realities of living with dementia.
“Having formed as part of our BAFTA-nominated BBC One documentary for people with dementia in Nottinghamshire, the choir now performs regularly across the country and brings people together through the power of music, a harmonious medicine.
“A huge thank you to the filmgoers and staff at Showcase Cinema de Lux Nottingham for helping make this event so special.”
Jon Dixon, UK Marketing Director at Showcase Cinemas, added: “We were honoured to welcome Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir to perform at Showcase Cinema de Lux Nottingham before a special screening of Familiar Touch.
“Familiar Touch is a deeply moving story that encourages empathy, understanding and conversation around experiences of ageing.
“Seeing audiences come together to enjoy the choir’s performance before the screening was a poignant reminder of the positive impact that music, community and shared experiences can have on people living with dementia and those around them.
“We’d like to thank Vicky, Our Dementia Choir and everyone who joined us for helping to make the evening so special.”
