But as of 2023 we have made the decision to only continue with seniors and aged care performances that include grandchildren or visiting preschool children in the audience.
![Aged Care - Puppet Show - Larrikin Puppets - Brisbane](https://www.larrikinpuppets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aged-care-puppet-show-larrikin-puppets-brisbane-qld-min.jpg)
“We were blessed by a special performance by Brett which was clever, warm & utterly delightful. His story was also most inspirational & impressive & we felt that Brett is a dedicated & talented person, thoroughly in tune with his audience, even the over 60s.”
Over the years we have performed for older audiences in aged care with the presentation of an interactive puppet show featuring songs, jokes and silly antics.
Our seniors puppet show is a colourful and fun 45 minute variety show of songs, skits, and jokes, and the style of puppetry is like The Muppets and Sesame Street. All interactive and performed live rather than pre-recorded.
The show includes a demonstration on how all the different puppets in our show work.
![Aged Care - Puppet Show - Larrikin Puppets - Queensland](https://www.larrikinpuppets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aged-care-puppet-show-larrikin-puppets-queensland.jpg)
Sometimes, at the request of some clients, we have also told the story of how Brett came to start and grow a puppetry business, and how Elissa came to join the company and the puppetry training she received in New York with Brett.
Then we’ve allowed the opportunity for a bit of a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity where some people or groups like to get a photo taken with a couple of our puppets. All up it’s a total duration of 50-60 minutes including the puppet show, “how the puppets work” demo, our story and a meet-and-greet.
In August 2023 we made the decision to only continue with seniors and aged care performances that include children or grandchildren in the audience. We have discovered our particular type of show is most suitable for kids and families together rather than an adults only audience – no matter their age.
![Aged Care - Puppet Show - Larrikin Puppets - Intergenerational Care](https://www.larrikinpuppets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aged-care-puppet-show-larrikin-puppets-intergenerational-care.jpg)
Our puppet show also works a treat when performed for a combined audience of seniors and visiting pre-school children. This is inspired by the ABC TV program Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds, in which a group of aged care residents are brought together with a group of pre-schoolers, to see if this inter-generational contact can improve the health and wellbeing of the older people, thus helping them to lead happier, and healthier lives.
We find that when surrounded by laughing, cheering, dancing children at our puppet shows, adults in the audience find the children’s joy contagious and can’t help but laugh and play along too. Intergenerational play is a wonderful concept, and has been proven to work! Have a look at the great research and work being done by Ageless Play and see the TV show trailer below:
Costs:
Visit our Rate Card for Seniors & Aged Care.
Cost covers:
- Two puppeteers.
- 45 minute puppet show of songs, games, jokes and comical interaction with the audience.
- 5 minute “How the puppets work” demonstration.
- 10-15 minute “How I became a puppeteer / How we got here” talk / Q&A.
- 5-10 minute puppet meet-and-greet / Photo opportunity.
- Time allowance for travel to and from and venue.
- Time allowance for load in, set-up and pack-down of the puppet stage, props, puppets and sound equipment.
- Rehearsal time prior to the event.
- Quality characters.
- Quality puppetry.
![Aged Care - Puppet Show - Larrikin Puppets - Retirement](https://www.larrikinpuppets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aged-care-puppet-show-larrikin-puppets-seniors.jpg)
Public Liability and Blue Cards:
We have public liability insurance through Duck For Cover Entertainers Insurance, and we both carry current Blue Cards for working with children.
Professional Development Overseas:
We have completed three months of professional development in the USA, which included performances and advanced training with Jim Henson puppeteers from The Muppets and Sesame Street.
Contact us here to book a puppet presentation at your aged care facility or seniors club – which includes visiting grandchildren and/or preschool children in the audience.