In Other Words to feature at The Plough Arts Centre

In Other Words, a powerful love story exploring how music can help reconnect people living with dementia to their loved ones and the world around them, will perform for one night only as part of a UK tour at for at Great Torrington’s Plough Arts Centre on Wednesday, October 4, thanks to Music for Dementia.

The play is a heartfelt love story about one couple’s relationship across decades intertwined with the voice of Frank Sinatra from playwright and actor Matthew Seager. It delves into the impact of Alzheimer’s and the transformative power of music, while exploring how music can help us remember the past, connect with the present and hold onto hope for the future. The play debuted in 2017 and has since gone on to achieve huge international success, including four Moliere Awards for the French production.

Sarah Metcalfe, Managing Director of Music for Dementia said: “First and foremost In Other Words is a great play, a love story that grips you emotionally as this couple deal with the reality of dementia. In the background it highlights the way music can become a lifeline. By bringing the play back to the stage we hope to get the message to more people that it’s worth giving music a try, even if it’s just for 10 minutes in a busy day.

“The campaign is always looking for new and creative ways to share that message and we hope that through this play more people involved in the dementia arena will find nuggets of inspiration to use music to reconnect and make life a little lighter.”

Matthew Seager wrote In Other Words as a young 20 year-old drama student. He experienced a life changing moment during a sensory stimulation workshop he facilitated in a care home as part of his university course. When he played Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ at the end of the session he was ‘floored’ when the room came alive.

Commenting on the play Matthew said: “In Other Words has an important message to tell about dementia and music as well as love, compassion and companionship. Even if dementia doesn’t affect your life yet, sadly, it’s likely to at some point and it would be fantastic for people in the city to know how music can help.”

In Other Words debuted in 2017 and has just made its return in London’s Arcola Theatre in September to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Month.

Some years after its initial run, Matthew’s grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. Not only did it give him first-hand experience of the impact of the condition, but Matthew also felt better equipped to deal with the diagnosis on a personal level and understand how to try and reach his grandmother using music and other therapeutic sensory techniques.

Commenting on the play Matthew said: “During the play, I have never experienced a more profound connection between the performers and audience. It’s a privilege to be able to bring this updated version of In Other Words to life and I truly cannot wait to share Arthur and Jane’s love story with as many people in Devon as possible.”

The 2023 London run and UK tour is in partnership with The Utley Foundation’s Music for Dementia campaign, which has a goal of making music an integral part of dementia care through grants to inspirational charities and special projects, as well as awareness raising.

Last year, Music for Dementia published the Power of Music report with UK Music, in consultation with over 200 organisations and individuals. The report laid out a framework for government to integrate music across health and social care. Now we are supporting the National Academy of Social Prescribing with a contribution of £1million for local grant-making, to launch the Power of Music Fund this autumn.

Tickets start at £10.00 and can be booked via the venue’s website www.theploughcentre.org.uk.