There are some projects that quietly remind you why theatre matters. TFTea & Tales is one of those.
Over ten weeks, we welcomed a brilliant group of older people into the rehearsal room at Monica Wills House – many of whom had never made theatre before, but all of whom were curious, open, and ready to give it a go. Thanks to a generous grant from the Monica Wills Trust, the project offered a warm, welcoming space for creativity, conversation, and connection.
Led by director Kate Pasco and musical director David Hewson, the group came together to create an original piece of theatre inspired by one simple, powerful theme: community. From the very first session, Tea & Tales felt special. Stories were shared over cups of tea, songs were sung, poems were written, and scenes slowly took shape – each one drawn from the lived experiences, memories, and imaginations of the group themselves. This wasn’t theatre for older people; it was theatre made by them, entirely devised and written as a collective.
And then, at the start of December, it all culminated in a truly glorious performance – complete with plenty of sparkles, a generous helping of tinsel, and – very importantly – a little bit of mulled wine. The show was joyful, moving, funny, and full of heart: a celebration not just of what the group had made, but of the community they had built along the way.
One of the most magical elements of Tea & Tales was its intergenerational spirit. Alongside the performers, students from South Bristol Youth and Bedminster Down Secondary School worked with designer Edwina Bridgeman to create a stunning backdrop for the performance. Seeing young people and older people collaborating – sharing ideas, skills, and creativity – felt like a perfect reflection of the show’s central theme. The generations didn’t just meet; they made something together.
One of our favorite stories from the project came from June. She told us she had always wanted to be a performer: to stand on a stage and tell stories. Through Tea & Tales, she finally got that chance. When she performed, aged 94, she said it felt like being given a second shot at a dream she’d carried her whole life.
Imogen from our Get Involved team, who worked closely on the project, summed it up beautifully:
‘Tea & Tales has been a truly joyful project to deliver, bringing together a group of older people from the local community to tell stories, sing songs, write poetry and devise scenes inspired by the theme of community. We’ve also had the pleasure of working with local students to create a beautiful set for the performance. The rehearsal room has been truly buzzing with creative ideas that literally span generations. The finished piece is something that not only ties together the unique and shared communities we are part of, but has created a community in and of itself – one of open creativity, nurture and, of course, a shared love for tea and biscuits.’
And the story doesn’t end there. This Friday, we’re delighted to be welcoming the Tea & Tales group back for a free community performance of Rapunzel – alongside local youth organisations and young people who might not otherwise get the chance to experience theatre. It feels like the perfect continuation of everything Tea & Tales stood for: opening doors, bringing people together, and sharing the joy of live performance across generations.
Tea & Tales reminded us that creativity has no age limit, that community can be built in rehearsal rooms as well as neighbourhoods, and that sometimes all you need to start something extraordinary is a group of people, a pot of tea, and the courage to have a go.
Posted on 13 January 2026
