Third Act takes improv to Zoom

Our talented team of Third Act residents in Wellington were part of the 2020 NZ Fringe Festival and on the day of their first of three public performances (that were booked out) the lockdown forced them to postpone.

Their Age on Stage performances were curtailed when social isolation rules kicked in. They were also about to star in a television documentary.

All that was put on hold, but not to be daunted by this, the group has continued meeting through Zoom and even extended Third Act to include more villages!

The Third Act programme has been established as a pilot in Ryman Healthcare's Wellington villages where groups of residents meet weekly to play, to perform, to share their stories and to connect with fellow residents. Nicola Pauling, artistic director with Voice Arts, works with older people to help promote mobility, mental challenges and creative joy through improvisation and performances.

This is a New Zealand first, creating a theatre collective consisting solely of those over the age of 70.

Through Zoom, the residents have taken their meet-ups to the next level continuing the fun and connections even when it was not possible to meet physically.

They have loved meeting residents who weren’t part of the initial groups and making fabulous new connections with residents of other villages.

They’ve been able to talk through the frustrations of lockdown, comfort one another, laugh and stretch their imaginations. Ryman has recently introduced classes in the villages again much to the residents’ delight.

Here's what Mary from Charles Fleming had to say a few weeks back: I just want you to know how much I am enjoying our Tuesday morning Improvisation Class with Nicola. While many Kiwis were looking forward to more relaxed rules and of course the takeaways, I believe our little group was very happy to be getting our equivalent of a fast food and coffee fix.

After all, the sky’s the limit for us, we can improvise. We are working well as a group and I am sure there’s more potential out there. I am very thankful to you all within the Ryman team for giving us this fantastic opportunity for escapism, particularly at this very difficult time.

Above: Third Act facilitator Julia Truscott with Charles Fleming resident Joan Matson.