Entertainers have aged-care residents rolling in the ailes.

Source:   Sydney Morning Herald July 25 2012

VOICES are singing and chattering, whistles blowing and instruments sounding as a host of entertainers ready their acts and prepare to meet their audience.

This bustling ”green room” is not at a theatre or festival, however. It is in an aged-care facility in south-west Sydney. Auditions are being held for jobs entertaining the residents – a fast-growing area of work for performers.

About 25 of them – armed with everything from puppets, ukeleles and bags of tricks to miniature witches’ hats – have soon fanned out in small groups across the sprawling Whiddon Group Easton Park facility in Glenfield to demonstrate they are cut out for the task and can brighten the residents’ day.

If successful, they will be signed up for a program that is sending performers into about 45 aged-care facilities and counting in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond.  more