Health News: Staging protest - Netherwood campaign

Published: 24 February 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE team behind a smash hit play about dementia are backing a campaign to save the threatened Netherwood Day Centre

AN Evening With Dementia producer Janet Westgarth, and actor Trevor T Smith, will help campaigners including film-maker Viviana Fain-Binda collect signatures for a petition in Hampstead on Saturday.

Mr Smith plays a man cut loose from his surroundings by the onset of a fading memory in the play, which opened last week at the New End Theatre in Hampstead.

He will be in character on Hampstead High Street this weekend to help raise awareness about the day centre – a specialist unit for people with dementia which is facing closure due to spending cuts.

The play, which has already been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, helps combat the “stigma” around dementia.

• An Evening With Dementia is at the New End Theatre, 27 New End, NW3 until March 6. For tickets (£14/£12) call 0870 033 2733.