Curious Shoes and living with dementia

University of St Andrews Principal Professor Sally Mapstone introduced a special performance at the Byre Theatre of Curious Shoes, a play for people living with dementia.

Professor Mapstone said: “Curious Shoes’ strength is that it is not only a piece of drama, but also a celebration of two other vital artistic mediums – music and dance. Together, music and dance combine to affect us individually in a way that all other forms of art fail to; we have all, at some point of our lives, been emotionally moved beyond our control by a song or performance.”

North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said: “Raising awareness of the impact of dementia on the whole family is very important and it is thanks to the hard work of researchers like Dr Maggie Ellis and those involved in Dementia Friendly Communities and Dementia Friendly St Andrews including Lesley Haines and her family, that positive changes can happen. I am looking forward to taking part in a training day and to having the first Dementia Friendly constituency office in Scotland.”

Dr Maggie Ellis, Lecturer in Psychology at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at St Andrews, who organised the performance, said: “Curious Shoes is a unique piece of theatre aimed specifically at people living with dementia. Audience members are included in the performance throughout and are encouraged to participate on their own terms. The performances were wonderful and audience members were on their feet singing and dancing. It really was a joy.”