ABSTRACT
Reminiscence is very much an affair for the family, close friends or workmates. Reminiscence is said to produce contentment, serenity and wisdom and this is valued by patients who themselves want a quiet life and, by others, who wish for compliance in those for whom they care. Reminiscence can be formally stimulated in performance or less formally through workshop activities. Reminiscence theatre provides an event in what may otherwise be a monotonous institutional life. An American variant on the theme is the use of reminiscence as a component of a creative drama programme with the elderly. Non-personal themes, even within the creative drama format, were not as attractive to them as personal reminiscence. Local scenes from past years were shown by back projection as an integral part of many of the Medium Fair Reminiscence Theatre shows. Formalised presentations should not detract from the value of simple reminiscence dialogue in the course of other duties.
