RICHMONDSHIRE Youth Theatre is adding the finishing touches to their latest production which promotes dementia awareness and has been described as the Bard meets the Beatles.

The play “We are Such Stuff as Memories are Made On” is taken from a line in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. The title points towards the plot, based upon a literature lover’s battle with dementia and his families struggles to support him.

The project began following an approach by the Friends of Garget Walker House, a charity that supports those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Opening night is on April 29 at Richmond Town Hall, hosted by the mayor, Cllr Russell Lord and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire,Peter Scrope. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under 18.

Further productions are being held at the Walker Memorial Hall, Aldborough St John, on May 13; Colburn village hall, May 19; Booth Memorial Hall, Catterick Village, May 20; National School, Hawes June 10; and Thornborough Hall, Leyburn, June 24.

Sheila Blacklock, Chair of Friends of Garget Walker House said: “We are delighted to be working with the Richmondshire Youth Theatre on this dementia awareness project. Thanks to a North Yorkshire County Council Stronger Community Grant we are able to tour Richmondshire.”

Thomas Chandler and Ben Clarke both play the leading role in the production.

Mr Chandler said: “It has been an honour to work on this project as both co writer and actor. I feel that it has truly been a journey for all of us and I am glad to be bringing light to such an underrepresented issue in the world. It has been an unforgettable experience and an amazing play to be a part of as my first one with RYT.”

Mr Clarke added “Everything about this project has been fascinating. Contributing to such a special and unique project from both an actors and writers perspective has been daunting but highly rewarding.”