Pluck is Shadows & Strings’ first project, which aims to develop their collaboration, create original theatre work, engage patients with creativity and enhance patient well-being.

Our aim is to create a series of short sensory performances for paediatric patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital that combine puppetry and live harp music and that will enhance patient well-being.

Pluck will be a 6-month project will involve a rolling process of research, creating performances, showings to patients and redevelopment. It will result in the creation of at least 3 interactive shows that respond directly to patients’ creative input. It is supported by charity CW+ and has received funding from Arts Council England and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

During an initial R&D phase, we will consult with hospital play specialists and experienced hospital theatre practitioners, to understand the benefits and challenges of theatre work in a hospital setting. We will also talk to experts in early years and sensory theatre to better understand how we can make our performances accessible.

Using these insights, we will develop initial ideas for a variety of short (approx. 10 minute) pieces that tell simple, imaginative stories.

After each performance, we will ask children what they thought of the story and what might happen next then use this feedback to redevelop the performances.

Our Aims

The design of this project has been heavily informed by our experiences of working with patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital over the last 2 years. Throughout this period we have worked closely with play team staff to understand what their patients' emotional needs are, how we can meet them and also best support staff. The specific issues that they have identified that children and young people face in hospital include, feelings of isolation, boredom, anxiety over medical procedures and missing out on social, educational and cultural events.

One of our key aims for the project is for our work to be influenced by the patient's creative ideas. We are interested in learning what they want to see in the stories, what types of characters, themes, and styles of delivery. For example, themes of space, the ocean and wild-life and emotional states of soothing, excitement and relaxation. We will explore the use of interactive elements during the performances so young patients can direct aspects of puppetry and music, and make choices about what happens next in the story.

We will also explore how we make our mini shows interactive, so patients can engage with the performance and direct the music and puppetry. We are also keen for our performances to be as accessible and adaptable as possible to reach as many patients as we can.

Pluck will encourage patients to connect, interact, experiment, influence and engage in theatre and music in an environment where they may not expect to experience the arts.