Elders Mondays with the Royal Exchange

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Royal Exchange

1 April — 31 August 2021 Tickets from £4 — Book now

We’ve all come to appreciate the importance of staying connected in the past year. Theatre is a brilliant way to instantly bridge the gap between you and a room full of people. The Royal Exchange has been encouraging older people to take full advantage of theatre’s social capabilities with their Elders Mondays. These sessions currently take place over zoom but will hopefully be returning to the theatre once it’s safe to do so.

Expect creative play, improvisation and more, with no previous experience required.

Dates can vary so keep an eye on the website to see when the next Monday is happening. The day usually consists of three sessions each focusing on a different aspect of theatre. They begin with a creative writing session (9:30 – 10:30 am). In these, you’ll be encouraged to develop  your own creative writing skills. Each week looking at a different aspect of the craft, such as character, structure or dialogue.

Writing is followed by reading. In the Elders Outloud sessions (10 am – 1pm), the group read a variety of plays, responding to them with discussion and thoughts surrounding the text or content. Your welcome to read, contribute to conversation or simply listen, depending on how you’d like to be involved.

Finally, the day concludes with Elders Play (2 – 4 pm). This last session is more similar to a practical drama workshop. You’ll be challenged to get creative, have fun and play with the group under the guidance of expert practitioner Andy Barry. Expect creative play, improvisation and more, with no previous experience required.

No matter which of the sessions you attend, you can be sure to feel welcomed and safe within the groups. Whether you’re a longstanding passionate thespian or just fancy shaking up your usual routine. Elders Mondays offer a chance to get creative and have fun with like minded people of a similar age.

1 April — 31 August 2021 Tickets from £4 Book now

Where to go near Elders Mondays with the Royal Exchange

caprismcr - restaurant
City Centre
Restaurant
Capri’s Cucina Italiana

The King Street area isn’t short of popular Italian restaurants, but none strike quite the same note as Capri’s, where you’ll be greeted like family and served some of the most authentic Neapolitan food in Manchester.

The Feel Good Club exterior
Manchester
Event venue
Feel Good Club

Our flagship Feel Good Club in Manchester, open 7 days a week, providing a beautiful friendly environment for coffee, brunch, lunch, cocktails and beers with an amazing selection of non alcoholic beverages too.

Ancoats
Bar or Pub
Finders Keepers

Welcoming waterside bar in New Islington Marina, serving a wide array of carefully-curated cocktails.

City Centre
Restaurant
Climat

Highly-regarded wine-led, French-leaning wine bar and rooftop restaurant in the city centre.

Image licensed with iStock.
Stockport
Library
Stockport Central Library

Stockport Central Library is a Carnegie library, built 1913–15 in the Edwardian Baroque style. It continues to serve as Stockport’s largest library.

The Edge exterior
Wigan
Event venue
The Edge, Wigan

Opened in September 2017, The Edge Arena is Wigan’s performance, conference and event venue.

What's on: Activity

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
life drawing
Until
ActivityManchester
Life Drawing Manchester

Whether you have never put pencil to paper or have been honing your artistic skills for years, Bee Creative studio runs life drawing sessions for people of all abilities.

from £10
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
Until
ActivityManchester
Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Sí Manchester’s daily tour is a brilliant way to get an overview of the city with tours running in both English and Spanish.

free entry

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.