Impact Data - Generation 2000 Theatre Project

Through the use of theatre exercises to communicate feelings & experiences, it became clear that the problems each group was experiencing were actually problems they both faced; predominantly that of gangs. Brainstorming sessions in the starter activities revealed some creative problem solving strategies by both parties. Big knowledge shifts came from the younger people whose ideas of what elderly people were like were challenged & changed. "I thought that old people are not much fun, but they are...I thought old people don't have many feelings, but they do...We thought they were hopeless & can't walk, but they can...We learned a lot about Ely in the past from them & how it's changed..." Another big realisation for the younger group was how badly the elderly are treated by gangs. Many said they had no idea this was happening. The knowledge shift for the elderly can be summed up as follows: "I think that it's taught us that kids can come across in the end with something worthwhile...If you look for something good in kids it'll come up..."

All the young people reported increased confidence & the development of a wide range of skills & the ability to work cooperatively with others of different ages & experiences. Lasting friendships between the young & the elderly has been a very positive outcome of the play. In addition, the young members of the play reported that they had motivation & purpose & felt empowered to "take responsibility" for the issues raised by the play. They felt a greater respect for the elderly & deeply disagreed with the shocking treatment of elderly people by gangs. Elderly group members felt strongly that "we need to encourage them (young people) to believe in themselves. They must believe that they can change the world & that will encourage other people". The whole intergenerational group began to be recognized as a new Ely 'gang' known to outsiders as the "Generation X Crew". The success of this project was clear when the head of Glyn Derw School announced plans to instigate a new after-school drama club to be run by a professional theatre company. "Evidence from this project suggests that the power of participatory theatre to engage young people in work for their community is too important to be merely added on as an optional extra... If places such as Ely are to be transfomed, then the community has to be empowered to work for change..."

The prevailing attitudes of the elderly reflected the social dilemmas of the Ely project: "The gang culture is intimidating for older people...no respect for people or property...disillusion, lack of job opportunities...they are being raised by television...children are being raised by parents who have not grown up themselves..." Attitudes of the youth group showed insight during pre-performance activities. They used live body sculptures or "still pictures" to illustrate how the ways in which attitudes to school may influence life outcomes. The negative stereotypes of each other were clear at the beginning of the project but were gradually changed as they learned to become a team & got to know one another. Both groups shared a negative attitude toward gangs. The creative medium showed them all that their voices are worth listening to & important issues were raised for the whole community to consider.