This June, the spotlight at Harrogate Theatre will fall not just on professional actors, celebrities or touring productions. Instead, it will illuminate the lives of ordinary local people whose extraordinary stories have been hidden in plain sight.
From 25 -27 June, older residents from across Harrogate and the surrounding district will step onto the stage in Sinfonia: Stories from Harrogate, a unique production created by The Performance Ensemble. Drawing on personal memories, experiences and reflections, the show offers audiences something increasingly rare: an opportunity to listen to older people speaking for themselves.
The result is neither a conventional play nor a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It is a living portrait of a community, built from dozens of individual voices. Some stories are humorous, some heartbreaking, others surprising or political. Together they form a rich tapestry of life, revealing what it means to grow older in modern Britain.
Giving older people a voice
The Performance Ensemble has earned a national reputation for creating theatre that places older people at its heart. Its productions challenge assumptions about ageing and demonstrate that creativity, curiosity and passion do not diminish with age.
Award-winnning Artistic Director Alan Lyddiard believes that older voices are too often overlooked: “There is a culture that talks about ageing, but older people are very rarely listened to,” he says. “Younger people usually decide what is good for older people. On stage they are often reduced to stereotypes.
“What we’re doing is much simpler and more radical than that. We are a group of older people doing it for themselves. In Harrogate, we’re inviting people to speak for themselves, knowing that what they say has value.”
That philosophy lies at the heart of Sinfonia. The production has been shaped through months of conversations with residents aged 60 and over. What began as informal meetings over tea and biscuits gradually evolved into a theatre production that celebrates authenticity rather than performance.
There is no requirement to act as a group of older professional actors form the core ensemble. Participants contribute whatever they feel comfortable sharing. Some offer stories that become part of the production, while others choose to perform those stories themselves.
From coffee mornings to centre stage
The cast members arrived from many different walks of life. Some were recruited through community groups, coffee mornings and local events where members of The Performance Ensemble met residents interested in taking part. Others found their way to the project through unexpected encounters.
One participant, Carmel, was giving a speech at a Harrogate Health Society celebration event. A former ward sister, she had been encouraged to speak by a friend with whom she regularly goes open-water swimming. Alan Lyddiard happened to be in the audience, heard her speak and invited her to become involved. Today she is one of the performers appearing on stage.
For three participants, Janet, Louraine and Valerie, the theatre itself has long been familiar territory. All volunteer as ushers at Harrogate Theatre. Usually, they welcome audiences through the doors. This time they will be stepping onto the stage themselves.
Kev joined through a chance friendship formed while dog walking. A musician and natural storyteller, he was encouraged by The Performance Ensemble’s Julia to give the project a try. He accepted the invitation and soon became an integral part of the group.
Such stories illustrate one of the production’s recurring themes: how seemingly small encounters can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Stories that make us laugh and think
The stories shared by participants range across decades and continents.
Pat brings humour to the production with an affectionate tale about her daughter’s adopted spaniels. She adores the dogs but remains firm on one point: she refuses to buy them Christmas presents. Yet beneath the laughter, Pat also reflects on her concerns about the state of the modern world and the frustrations she feels with contemporary politics.
John delivers a passionate critique of the way immigrants are often treated in Britain, offering a reminder that older people remain deeply engaged with social and political issues.
Jo shares a moving account of caring for parents living with Alzheimer’s disease, while Alex recalls the joy and adventure he experienced during time spent in Colombia.
Janet celebrates friendship, recounting runs through Harrogate and Knaresborough with a close companion whose support has meant so much to her over the years.
Then there are the wonderfully unpredictable moments that emerge when memories take unexpected turns. One of Janet’s stories begins with vegetable growing and somehow concludes with her singing a school song in Latin. Such moments have generated plenty of laughter in rehearsals and reveal the delightfully unpredictable nature of human memory.
Building confidence together
For many participants, joining Sinfonia meant stepping well outside their comfort zones. Most arrived at their first rehearsal with little idea of what to expect. The process began gently. Tea was poured. Stories were shared. Participants learned simple movement sequences and gradually became familiar with one another. Over time, confidence grew.
As the stories and movement pieces developed into a coherent production, the performers began to trust both the process and the creative team guiding them. The rehearsals themselves have presented challenges. Much of the work has taken place at the West Park Centre, whose welcoming atmosphere and excellent kitchen facilities have made it an ideal base. However, the rehearsal room has been relatively small, requiring participants to learn choreography and stage positioning in a confined space.
Despite this, the cast has adapted impressively. More recent rehearsals in larger venues have allowed performers to experience how their movements will feel on the theatre stage. Perhaps the greatest achievement has been the sense of community that has emerged. Stories involving grief, injustice, illness and personal struggle have sometimes brought tears. Yet those emotional moments have been met with warmth, understanding and mutual support. As participants opened up about their lives, friendships formed and trust deepened.
The performers speak
For many cast members, the project has become about much more than putting on a show.
Chrissy recalls seeing an invitation online: “Now and again something on social media stops you scrolling,” she says. “Oldies, coffee, the theatre …
“I went along to meet the Performance Ensemble team and their proposed show, Stories of Harrogate, and as I have a few stories, decided to be part of it.
“The recall of story speeches, with dyslexia, has been an endeavour, but I’m determined to get there. I am thrilled with such an opportunity and its success. Long live oldies.”
For Fiona, participation has been both challenging and rewarding: “Being involved with PE has been a massive privilege and a gas,” she says. “The staff are professional, supportive and fun, and my fellow ‘oldies’ are interesting and a laugh.
“I joined because I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and I’ve always loved dance. It’s stimulating and inspiring. Everyone has a story to tell and here we have that voice. We are all pushing our personal boundaries, whether we have two left feet or a fear of public speaking. I’ve loved every minute.”
Valerie, a retired teacher, has discovered the unusual pleasure of surrendering control: “One occupational hazard of being a teacher is that you become bossy and people tend to follow you,” she laughs. “What a relief then to sit back and be directed. It’s a completely novel experience and you feel vulnerable, but I’ve learned to trust the process.”
More than theatre
At a time when discussions about ageing often focus on challenges and limitations, Sinfonia: Stories from Harrogate offers a refreshing alternative. It presents older people not as statistics, stereotypes or problems to be solved, but as individuals whose lives remain rich with humour, passion, curiosity and conviction. The production reminds us that every person carries a lifetime of stories: tales of friendship and family, of work and travel, of love, loss, resilience and change. Some stories make us laugh. Others make us think. All deserve to be heard.
When the curtain rises at Harrogate Theatre this June, audiences will witness something far more valuable than a performance. They will encounter a community telling its own story in its own words. And in an age when genuine listening can sometimes feel in short supply, that may be the most powerful act of all.
You can see Sinfonia: Stories from Harrogate at Harrogate Theatre from Thursday 25 June 2026 to Saturday 27 June 2026.
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