20

Medico manoeuvres Skye Murtagh, of SDM Communications describes how movement and music prove a potent therapy for patients in Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide

As one of ’s leading Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) in 2007 contemporary ensembles, and 2009 through its Arts in Health South Australian-based Leigh programme that integrates art and Warren & Dancers has graced cultural activities into the life of the stages across the world – often centre for the benefit of patients, performing to sell-out crowds with visitors and staff. It’s the largest and their innovative and award-winning most diverse program of its kind in productions. However, it’s in the Australia. realm of community dance – through Leigh was introduced to the concept an intimate series of performances of diversional therapy in 2006 by for patients receiving treatment at Adelaide neuroscientist, Professor Ian a hospital in their hometown of Gibbins, who approached him to work Adelaide – that the company has been on the community programme, most deeply rewarded. Science Outside the Square. The notion of taking dance outside “Our presentation was about the its traditional stage setting and into the between the mind and very heart of a community has always body movement and how synaptic appealed to Leigh Warren – artistic pathways in the brain change when director at Leigh Warren & Dancers, you dance or witness movement,” says one of Australia’s most respected Leigh. “From that project I discovered companies. how movement and music, when Throughout its 18 year history the combined in dance, can create a company has engaged in numerous diversion from self consciousness, community dance projects – but none which has the ability to change mood has had quite the impact on both the and behaviour generating a sense of audience and the dancers themselves wellbeing.” as Medico Manoeuvres – a series of An invitation followed for Leigh to specially choreographed dance pieces undertake a residency at the FMC and for ward patients at an Adelaide design a series of performances for hospital. patients in wards ranging from Designed as diversional therapy, oncology and paediatrics, to renal the performances were presented at dialysis and the mental health unit.

In that moment of distraction and engagement, they (the patients) stop thinking about their condition and their body experiences enormous relief. Later, when they recall the moment, it brings further relief and benefit. Medico Manoeuvres by Leigh Warren & Dancers (LWD) at Flinders Medical Centre. (L-R) Dancers: Adam Synnott, Deon Hastie and Gala Moody. Photo: Alex Makeyev

“The aim of diversional therapy is to distract the patient with a welcome and non-confrontational surprise,” says Leigh. “In that moment of distraction and engagement, they stop thinking about their condition and their body experiences enormous relief. Later, when they recall the moment, it brings further relief and benefit.” In designing the individual dance pieces, Leigh worked closely with the clinical nurse consultants on the relevant wards to determine music selection and how best to utilise the different settings without compromising patient care or comfort. “These performances had to result in a win-win situation for the patients and the dancers, so consulting with those nurses was a crucial part of the design process,” says Leigh. “It informed every element – the , the music and the costumes.” For the paediatric ward, dancers donned pyjamas and entered the space unannounced with pillows under their arms – before performing to an upbeat soundtrack. “At the start, the kids had no idea what was going on – some thought the dancers were just new patients arriving,” says Leigh. “The pillows were integrated playfully into the performance and many of the kids joined in. In the end, pillows were flying everywhere. It was extremely uplifting and importantly, had the desired effect of creating a welcome surprise and a gentle distraction for the children.” The oncology ward called for a subtler approach. While pillows and pyjamas were again incorporated, the use of the beautiful Alina by composer, Arvo Pärt evoked a more tranquil atmosphere. “This piece was very delicate and tender, with the dancers softly cradling the pillows in their arms,” says Leigh. “It was remarkable to watch the >

www.communitydance.org.uk 22 At the start, the kids had no idea what was going on – some thought the dancers were just new patients arriving.

Medico Manoeuvres by Leigh Warren & Dancers (LWD) at Flinders Medical Centre. (L-R) Dancers: Deon Hastie, patient and Lisa Griffiths. Photo: Alex Makeyev reaction of the patients who weren’t bring about a really peaceful afternoon, “Initially, Chris was quite anxious quite sure if they were hallucinating which was great for patients and about the performances,” says Leigh. because the routine had started so staff.” “He’s a very caring, sensitive person organically. Watching, you could The residency was an equally and, like many people, wasn’t almost see the patients leaving their rewarding experience for Leigh and comfortable in hospital environments. bodies and travelling across the the dancers. As it turned out, he found the room – just giving themselves up to “It certainly helped me as a experience so rewarding he’s now the performance.” choreographer,” says Leigh. “It’s an making connections with other medical One of the most moving moments awareness thing. Working away from centres around Australia which have for Leigh and the dancers took place in the stage in the community, especially similar arts programmes and hopes to a general ward, where a woman lay in a medical arena, requires you to be get a pilot programme up in Victoria.” close to death, her daughter by her very aware of response. It’s crucial in Leigh has also been approached by side. the design phase to be able to ‘read’ another South Australian hospital to “The mother was falling in and out people and understand the different design similar performances for their of a coma and we weren’t sure situations in which you’ll be delivering women’s and children’s unit. While whether to go ahead,” says Leigh. the work and how it might be keen to pursue the request, he admits “But her daughter felt she would love interpreted.” he has much to learn about diversional the feeling of such gentle movement For the dancers, the challenges therapy and would like to see the taking place around her. As the came at a practical and emotional formation of a group of medical and dancers performed, the daughter level. The wards were far removed artistic professionals, to look at the would describe what was happening from the comparative safety of a area full-time. to her mother. The woman would theatrical stage: props replaced by “There’s so much more I want to wake for a moment and engage in life-supporting medical equipment, understand about this subject, but I the process and then lapse back. surgeons and nursing staff instead of believe the potential benefits are The daughter was elated her mother production and lighting crew and an huge,” says Leigh. “For me, it’s had been able to experience such a audience which could not only be important to see dance having a beautiful vision of tenderness and seen, but was held captive in their deeper relevance for people – a life connection and they’d been able to hospital beds. and purpose beyond the stage setting. share that moment together.” “Over time, they began to read I love the mystery of the theatre and Another morning performance for the emotional state of a particular the emotions you can provoke through psychiatric patients resulted in an space extremely well and learnt to a traditional stage production but it’s incident free afternoon. control their reaction to that instead also important to have the breadth to “For this piece the dancers dressed of being washed over by it,” says reach out and do other things – and in nurse’s uniforms and performed Leigh. “I think an experience like what could be more rewarding than to to tango music,” says Leigh. “The that can only give a dancer more bring even the briefest relief to another pleasure and amusement the confidence to perform in a whole human being through the experience of patients experienced in those first few range of settings.” dance?” moments of the dancers coming in, The project resonated particularly for when they thought perhaps the nurses dancer Chris Hewitt, who performed in For Leigh Warren & Dancers contact had gone a little loco, just seemed to 2009. [email protected] / visit www.lwd.com.au