Oak Lodge Shine's at the Wycombe Swan

Recently our amazing clients and dedicated staff came together at the Wycombe Swan Theatre to deliver a funny and heartwarming performance of What’s In The Bag?, a lovely poem written by one of our clients, Jane.

Five Weeks of Hard Work

Our clients spent five weeks to preparing for this performance, and every person involved gave their all. They rehearsed every week, turning Jane’s playful and imaginative poem into a piece of performance art.

A Poem Brought to Life

Everybody was excited when they arrived at the Oak Room - part of the Wycombe Swan Theatre. Many parents and friends joined us to watch the show.

Jane’s poem, What’s in the Bag?, is full of curiosity about, of course, what is in the bag. Jane stood at the front and read her poem to the audience.

The group asked, “What’s in the bag?”, and then acted out the possibilities whether it was food, toys, ribbons or clothes, and delighted the audience with their storytelling. The final twist, “Oh, it’s just for your eyes only!” brought laughs and smiles from everyone.

The Power of the Community and Opportunity

Several parents and carers attended the show and were rightfully proud. Some were visibly moved, seeing their loved ones step up and perform. This was more than a show, it was a chance to see what our clients are capable of when they’re given space, encouragement, and the right support.

Staff Support

Behind the scenes, Oak Lodge staff played a big part in making this all happen. They were there every step of the way encouraging, organising, guiding, and celebrating our clients’ efforts. They knew how much work had gone into every moment, and to see it all come to fruition was fantastic.

Wycombe Swan Team

From the very first rehearsal, Marlon Kameka, one of the Theatre's Creative Learning freelancers, brought energy, patience, and creativity to every session. He worked side by side with our clients, guiding them through each step and helping them feel confident performing Jane's poem. His friendly approach made everyone feel at ease and just have fun during the show. Thanks to his support, the group learned new skills and discovered how much they are capable of. Seeing their joy and pride during the final performance was truly special. So, thank you Marlon for believing in our clients every step of the way.

Thank You

A huge thank you everyone who was involved and made this performance possible.

Thank you, our clients, for your energy, and your smiles. You all were brilliant.

Thank you, Jane, for sharing your poem and inspiring such a fun and imaginative performance. Your words brought us all together.

Thanks to our Oak Lodge staff, for your tireless support, care, and belief in our clients.

Thank you, parents and friends for being there and cheering everyone on.

And last but not least, thank you, the Wycombe Swan Theatre for opening your doors to us, for believing in inclusion, and for giving us the space to create something truly wonderful.

What’s in the bag? It turns out, it was full of heart, laughter, teamwork, and joy. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Here is Jane's poem that our lovely clients performed: