Leeds Playhouse – Saturday 23rd February 2019
Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood
4****
Members of both the Leeds Playhouse’s older people’s and young people’s programmes have come together to collaborate and bring Dinner 18:55. Leeds Playhouse is reputed for their creative and inclusive engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds to access the theatre. Over the six months this new community ensemble has put together Dinner 18:55 and this production consists a sharing of conversations and individual stories and over time they have formed a live theatrical piece.
Intergeneration certainly plays a big part in how the younger and older members interact and grow. Age is no longer an issue and common grounds are established. Life experiences between older and young people are different but not for any better or for any worse. What is explored on stage is why taking the time to sit down and share a meal can be such an effort?
Social isolation and loneliness are on the increase today especially when older people and young people are socially and politically polarised and marginalised by the media. Time is also a big issue as the modern world is much busier compared to past generations. Young people are faced with pressuring expectations, some acknowledge impossible, along with the never ending social media demands. There is certainly an emphasis of intergeneration and a must need across all communities.
This short heart-warming production brings two generations who make time to make and share their meals together. Dinner 18:55 gives a lot of food for thought and under the direction of Maggie de Ruyck and with the sounding of knives, forks and plates the ensemble brings alive a well done inter-generation experience on stage. This emphasises the utmost importance of spending time with people of all ages and backgrounds.