Giving the older generation a chance to find their voice

When it comes to representation, there are a lot of groups that are overlooked. One area that MA Creative and Life Writing student, Judy, is trying to address is the visibility of older generations.

Since completing her English and Theatre Arts degree at Goldsmiths in 1998, Judy has dedicated her career to helping underrepresented and underprivileged individuals. Upon graduating, she set up the charity Montage Theatre Arts.  Working with the community of Lewisham, Judy developed new work to help people of all ages to gain confidence through performing arts.

Broadway Blazers

Six years ago Judy experienced the life-changing event of having a stroke. She took time to re-evaluate her career and understand where her passions for performance, movement and writing could be best put to use. Her focus shifted exclusively to one of the most overlooked areas of society – the older generation. This is where she found the inspiration for Broadway Blazers.

Run in partnership with Broadway Theatre in Catford and the London Borough of Lewisham, the theatre and performance group, Broadway Blazers, is dedicated to giving older local residents a place to share their stories and express themselves.

“With Broadway Blazers, it is all about giving people over the age of 55 a platform. This then gives them a chance to find their voice and have their story heard. A lot of our members have gone through a significant time of change. Whether that be through the trauma of loss, going into retirement, or something else entirely. Broadway Blazers gives them a chance to have fun and find a new confidence in life. 

“Our productions are focussed on sharing their stories. It’s about giving them the platform to find their own voice and to celebrate it. For me, it’s a joy to give them the opportunity to do that.”

The overlooked generation

According to recent research from the charity Age UK, over 4.5 million older people in the UK feel invisible and neglected by society. 

Judy explains: “The older generation often go unnoticed. The way that older people are seen by society is that they just need our support. They’re seen as needing charity from the rest of us, but that is not always true. What Broadway Blazers has really shown me is that they have great strength. They just need the opportunity and the time to show it.”

During lockdown, visibility and isolation became increasingly more prevalent. Having to shield, and missing out on human contact and interaction took its toll on many. The stories and experiences of the members of Broadway Blazers inspired Judy to create a short film in response. Entitled ‘Through the Looking Glass’ it shares the voices of the pandemic that are often ignored in a commentary on how older people are seen by the rest of society.

Judy says the title of the film flags the ways in which we see older people and how they are seen. ‘Through The Looking Glass’ nods at the surreal direction life took during lockdown where it seemed that everything was turned on its head overnight. 

“I was thinking about the screen through which older people are seen, as well as the prevalent isolation during Covid. While ‘Through the Looking Glass’ presents the experience of The Blazers and explores the loneliness, isolation, and fear we have all felt during the Covid-19 pandemic, the accompanying anthology provides an added opportunity to read about some of the group’s many stories, and their specific perspectives on lockdown. Sometimes, solidarity is as important as any vaccine.”

The anthology for ‘Through the Looking Glass’ is an accompanying publication, sharing the stories of the Broadway Blazers experiences during the Covid-19 lockdown in their own words. You can read the full anthology on the Broadway Blazers website.

Goldsmiths understands me

Judy has recently re-joined the student community at Goldsmiths to complete a Masters in Creative and Life Writing. She knew that Goldsmiths was the right environment to help her develop her writing skills and help her to tell the stories she dreamed of telling.

“My tutors are fantastic. They’re helping me to develop my craft, which will continue to share the stories of the older generation. Goldsmiths understands me. If I speak to anybody in the community here, they get it. Whether it’s fellow students or tutors, they know where my heart is, they know what I’m trying to achieve with my work.”

You can watch the full film 'Through the Looking Glass' below.