story making, music and movement
led by Sally Tonge - Storyteller and Musician and Rachel Liggitt - Dance Artist
Sal’s considerable experience of working in care settings influenced the ambition of the project from the outset. During the project she worked in different locations and contexts, in care homes, day centres and online, and with established community groups and individual. Using her storytelling and musical skills, both as a solo artist, and in collaboration, Sal also worked with dance artist Rachel at Cliffdale Care Home, and with poet Jean Atkin on Whatever the Weather walking for wellbeing creative walks. Sal’s inclination towards play and experimentation meant that she was always exploring new approaches to working in community contexts. From familiar singalongs to bespoke songs and stories crafted from conversations shared, in the moment.
Sal’s responsive practice was rooted in having a physical and emotional presence. When the pandemic hit, Sal didn’t feel her practice could be transferred to an online format. However, with some research and development support, she was able to devise and deliver inter-generational Spontaneous Storytelling sessions. This proved to be a significant development for Sal’s practice, and she went on to progress a proposal to Arts Council England based on her learning.
Sal’s responsive practice was rooted in having a physical and emotional presence. When the pandemic hit, Sal didn’t feel her practice could be transferred to an online format. However, with some research and development support, she was able to devise and deliver inter-generational Spontaneous Storytelling sessions. This proved to be a significant development for Sal’s practice, and she went on to progress a proposal to Arts Council England based on her learning.
“People went and found their own objects and told stories, the places and times they evoked and the place these simple objects had in their lives. It was a warm and flowing session and everyone took part. I was pretty magicked by how embodied the session was – the words are all about appreciation, hands and holding, the objects were twisted and turned in front of the screen cameras and for a remote session, there was a sense that this was a very real experience” - Sal
A first time collaboration with Sal Tonge gave experienced community dance artist Rachel the opportunity to work with residents of Cliffdale Care Home over a 6 week period. Sessions used everyday objects to prompt conversation and play, leading to music, singing and movement, and through collaboration, creating new stories. The weekly sessions allowed the relationships to develop between the residents and the artists, giving time to explore and build on the elements that worked best for the group.
“During one session, in which I was dancing ‘freely’ to Sal’s music, I caught M with tears in her eyes. She said, ‘This is bringing back a lot of memories, I used to dance a lot and love dancing, and now I can’t dance anymore’. She spoke from the heart.
Through my eyes we are all dancers, and it is ‘in all of us’…..but I am conscious that part of my role is to facilitate the individual finding and reconnecting with the dancer inside themselves.
In that moment, accompanied by Sal, I took her hands and we danced. We looked into one another's eyes, connected through our hands and found the rhythm and flow between us. I was moved by this experience and it had not occurred to me that by being ‘myself’, dancing freely in front of others, could reflect a sense of loss and engender a sense of sadness that an important part of a person’s life was no longer present.In that moment I connected with M in a deeper level and with very few words – without any need to offer comfort or moving on swiftly, M’s response needed to be heard, responded to and acknowledged. She found her dance.” - Rachel
Through my eyes we are all dancers, and it is ‘in all of us’…..but I am conscious that part of my role is to facilitate the individual finding and reconnecting with the dancer inside themselves.
In that moment, accompanied by Sal, I took her hands and we danced. We looked into one another's eyes, connected through our hands and found the rhythm and flow between us. I was moved by this experience and it had not occurred to me that by being ‘myself’, dancing freely in front of others, could reflect a sense of loss and engender a sense of sadness that an important part of a person’s life was no longer present.In that moment I connected with M in a deeper level and with very few words – without any need to offer comfort or moving on swiftly, M’s response needed to be heard, responded to and acknowledged. She found her dance.” - Rachel