ABSTRACT
Nicky Taylor, theatre and dementia research associate at Leeds Playhouse and doctoral researcher in creative co-production with people with dementia at Leeds Beckett University, reflects on the development of work with and about people living with dementia. Dementia seems to be such an interesting topic to make theatre about, and there appeared to be a saturation of plays a few years ago where dementia was being used to explore the world or interrogate human experience. The most important element was that people with dementia would be the decision-makers. Nicky pioneered community programmes that impacted on the work produced by Leeds Playhouse and has been influential in developing both public and industry awareness of dementia. Key to this is a commitment to collaboration and co-production with people living with dementia. The resulting research, training and advocacy has been pivotal in supporting artists, organisations and policymakers understand how theatres can develop and sustain people’s cultural lives.
