WELL VERSED
Well Versed emerged from Saturday Socials - a programme delivered in partnership with Arsenal in the Community, North London Cares and Cubitt aimed at addressing isolation and loneliness amongst older people.
Every Monday 1.30-3.30pm at All Change
Refreshments and transport provided. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to take part drop in or call Rachel on 020 7689 4646 or email: projects@allchangearts.org
Photo by Leticia Valverdes
Well Versed is a company of older people hosted by All Change, who meet weekly to write poetry, take part in mindful movement, listen to music, sometimes dance and often improvise together. They collaborate regularly with professional artists, working in different artforms (and sometimes the Arsenal first team). They have created and performed their work at the Union Chapel, Rich Mix, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Park Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, on Instagram, and in public spaces including Granary Square, Whitecross Street Party (WXSP) and the Cally Festival. They curate and host events for older people including Rub-A-Dub Caribbean socials and Block Parties in care homes; and have taken part in intergenerational projects with students at University of the Arts London Central Saint Martins, local young women and children from local adventure playgrounds; and in international collaborations with communities in Malaysia and Uganda through the British Council.
Each week, supported by resident associate artist Francesca Beard, they check in, exchange stories, listen to one another and create new work. People come with a myriad of different backgrounds and life stories, and lifetimes of experience and wisdom to share. Every person and idea is welcome. Well Versed are arts activists who understand what it is to be older and the value of this. Equal measures of celebration, comfort and support are offered when needed, and from time to time we say and mark a fond and final farewell.
And there is always a great selection of biscuits on offer!.
The group published ‘The Last Dance’ - an anthology of poetry on National Poetry Day - 5 October 2023. In August 2023, they performed in 24:Day The Measure of my Dreams at Almeida Theatre. In 2022 the group created and performed Face the Music: The Social Careworkers Play, as part of The Keyworker Cycle at the Almeida Theatre in March 2022. In 2020 and 2021 the group created extraordinary work during various lockdowns for the wider community, which can be found on our #KeepingConnected page. In 2019, the group used new art form influences – including Hip Hop Dance, through workshops with Breakin’ Convention, to develop and perform a follow up piece – A Dance for All Seasons at Rich Mix in October 2019, staged in traverse, the piece explored cyclical themes through poetry, dance, music and photography. In November 2018, the group created an extraordinary immersive performance event for a sell-out audience at Union Chapel – The Last Dance, which mixed poetry, dance, photography, music and film – exploring the theme as a metaphor for the last chapter of our lives, but also our best and most treasured moments and memories.
Links to Well Versed past projects & events:
The Last Dance - a magical immersive performance event created by our Well-Versed company of older people on Sunday 25 November 2018 at Union Chapel, London UK - with associate artists Francesca Beard, Leticia Valverdes, Tony Nwachukwu & Mila Sanders.
Film by Lauren Matthews
Photo by Ali Wright - Face the Music: The Social Care Workers Play at Almeida Theatre, The Keyworkers Cycle 2022
Photo by Lauren Matthews ‘The Last Dance’ publishing party, Finsbury Park Picturehouse, National Poetry Day 2023
Photo by Ali Wright - Face the Music: The Social Care Workers Play at Almeida Theatre, part of The Keyworkers Cycle 2022