Experiences of people with dementia at heart of new play Geordie Sinatra

Geordie Sinatra, by renowned North East playwright and television writer Fiona Evans, is a dark comedy about an ex-club singer now living with dementia and the issues he and his daughter face in dealing with the condition.

The play, produced in conjunction with New Writing North, draws on the experiences of people living with dementia who use an Alzheimer's Society day support facility, the Connie Lewcock Resource Centre in West Denton. Playwright Fiona Evans spent time at the centre whilst writing Geordie Sinatra and the experiences of the centre's service users helped inform and provide depth to the play's portrayal of dementia with Lewy bodies.

The Connie Lewcock Resource Centre is operated by Alzheimer's Society and caters to the over 3,000 people in Newcastle who are living with dementia. The centre's facilities include a computer club and a support group for younger people with dementia. Alzheimer's Society estimates that 17,000 people under 65 are living with some form of dementia.

Fiona Evans, writer of Geordie Sinatra, says:

'Meeting the clients and staff at the Connie Lewcock Centre has been inspiring, both personally and professionally. The experiences of the people there have added texture and credibility to my new play Geordie Sinatra - the central character of which has dementia with Lewy bodies. I've enjoyed working there so much that I'm staying on as a volunteer.'

Steve Errington, Alzheimer's Society locality manager for North of Tyne, says:

'Most people know bits and pieces about dementia, but too often the way people talk about the condition excludes the voices of the very people who are living with it. Geordie Sinatra draws directly on the experiences of people living with dementia who access Alzheimer's Society's Connie Lewcock day support centre.

Over 3,000 people in Newcastle are living with dementia, and I hope this play will help people understand more about the condition. It is possible to live well with dementia - if you're worried about your memory or that of a loved one, please get in touch with your local Alzheimer's Society.'