A POWERFUL play about the reality of living with dementia is to be staged at Lynfield Mount Hospital.

The drama, called The Last Memory, is inspired by the true story of a daughter caring for her father.

Written by Bradford playwright Alan Stockdill, the play uses stories, letters and memories to explore the moving, and occasionally funny, experiences of Catherine Pasek and her later father, Edwin Harrison.

In the play, Lynne looks after her dad, Ernest. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, he is struggling with memory loss which is getting progressively worse. “How can I go to heaven if I don’t know who I am?” he says.

Keen to leave an imprint of who he is, Ernest puts a plan into place - asking Lynne to be the keeper of his memories, and the guardian of their past.

The Last Memory follows the family’s journey, fears, smiles, strength and tears, as they seize the final memory, and a ‘carpe diem’ moment of hope. The play is presented by Talking Stock Productions. Producer Catherine Pasek lost both her parents to dementia and they died within weeks of each other, in 2016.

“Dad had this awful disease for 17 years - but despite the diagnosis and situation, we aim to show how it’s possible to extract joy out of the pain and laughter from the tears,” said Catherine. “This piece of writing is from the heart.”

Later this month The Last Memory will be presented by the research and development department of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust at Lynfield Mount psychiatric hospital. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session with the writer/director and cast.

Talking Stock has previously presented the play to GPs, nurses and occupational therapists as well as other NHS professionals and health chiefs.

It has also performed for Dementia Friendly groups and Memory Cafes in Bradford and Keighley, and in schools, churches and community venues across the district. There were several performances for Dementia Action Week in May this year.

Last year the powerful drama was performed at Idle Working Men’s Club in memory of longterm member and former president George Kneeshaw, who had dementia. Proceeds from the production went to The Memory Tree in Idle, which provides activities and social get-togethers for with people who have dementia, and respite for their carers.

* The Last Memory will be performed in the Recreation Hall at Lynfield Mount Hospital on Wednesday, September 25 from 1.30-2.30pm.

Tickets are free and need to be booked by September 20 at (01274) 228618 or eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-dementia-play-the-last-memory