It’s not often that a group of “old” people and “young” people come together to work on a project (especially about challenging perceptions on one another), but this June they have. The project is called ‘Truth about Youth’, and it is run by the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester in association with the Co-operative. It will continue to run until next year in 2012, but this is just the first stages of the project. 

This June/July about 20 “youths” and “oldies” will create a play attempting to change the audience’s ideas about these types of people. It will be unconventional theatre and hopefully a delight to see and take part in. It will also be a clear indication that old and young can work together to produce a quality piece of work.

I’ve worked with these “old” folks twice now (who aren’t even that old), along with my youth counterparts, and it’s been extremely fun finding out about their lives - which I have to admit, I didn’t think could be so interesting. I’ve taken away with me their advice, and memories and tonight I met a Journalist, and how excited was I! I will certainly be talking to this lady more often.

Although I never thought that I stereotyped old people, when the “youth” group first met (without the older people) the truth really was revealed. Some of the things that I came up with: old people all do aqua aerobics, play bingo and fall asleep in front of the TV, whilst drinking wine with lemonade. They never go out or have a social life. In fact one person summed-up an old person as “ancient”. So clearly I stereotyped them, and maybe these things are right for some oldies, but these old people are far from that depiction; they have Facebook (ok - they don’t know how to use it properly), but they are connecting with the modern world, at least. 

I wonder what they thought about youths? And I wonder if their perception has changed. I hope that I come off as friendly and kind, but also positive and happy. I hope that I can transfer it to them. Even though I don’t have as much wisdom as them, and have lived less than a third of their average lives, I hope that they can learn something from me too. But it’s up to them what they want to learn. All I can give is myself. 

By doing this project I have learnt that old people just want to be treated normally. They want to have a laugh and a giggle with you - not to be afraid of you. So although my best friend isn’t now an old person, I have gained new friends. 

The play that we are performing hasn’t been pulled together quite yet, but is on it’s way and is looking very exciting, with potential to have audience participation. If you want to find out more about it please go to the Royal Exchange’s Truth about Youth website http://www.royalexchange.org.uk/page.aspx?page=702. 

Tell me what your perceptions of old or young people are, by tweeting me @OliverSJones or asking me on Tumblr.