This was a creative initiative which used the elementary school curriculum and Artist in Residence programme to introduce puppetry as a means of communication. Children were given the opportunity to collaborate with elderly people on three puppet plays they co-created.

In 1994 Bill Hamblett was the Artist in Residence at Herbert Thompson primary school in Ely. He worked three days a week for 12 weeks with children and elderly community members using puppets to explore intergenerational issues. The artist worked with selected classes to create shadow puppets as part of the curriculum. The children were involved in constructing the stories, rehearsing, and performing for the rest of the school. Over 90 students took part in the play and they also met with a small group of pensioners to discuss the work. The older people were involved in the performances as narrators. There were three shows which toured five other primary schools and day centres for older people.

Ageing, Population, Children, Education.

The elderly members of the play were noted to be a positive influence on behaviour and performance for the younger members. Puppetry performances proved to be a successful way to communicate about intergenerational issues and change children's narrow perception of what elderly people are like.


According to SWT, "the excitement, interest and initial discussion generated at these events was an encouragement to seek funds to extend this project and transfer it's focus to secondary schools."