Catalyst: Keep on Dancing

ABC screens a two part Catalyst special “Keep on Dancing” which follows a group of Over 65s as they explore whether dance can be a shortcut to better health?

This comprises part of an October health initiative, ABC Your Move.

Myf Warhurst hosts a unique experiment where a group of over 65’s attempt to slow the effects of aging through dance. Under the stewardship of leading choreographer Kelley Abbey, Myf follows their remarkable transformation across 12 intensive weeks, culminating in a one-of-a-kind performance for friends and family.

In this two-part Catalyst special, nine older Australians take part in a 12-week experiment exploring the power of dance for people over the age of 65. Hosted by Myf Warhurst, the programmes explore the emerging science that says dancing can improve fitness, balance, memory, mood, and cognition. In short, it might slow the effects of aging.

Most of our volunteers have no dance experience, so leading them through this experiment is one of Australia’s most accomplished choreographers – Kelley Abbey (Dancing with the Stars, Happy Feet). Her task is to prepare them for a one-of-a-kind, accomplished performance to friends and family at the end of the 12 weeks.

Our dancers are living with many of the health conditions we face as we age – Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and poor balance that leads to falls. Monitoring theirprogress through physical and cognitive tests is biomechanical scientist Dr Rachel Ward from UNSW.

After 12 weeks, the results are indisputable – they’re fitter, stronger and in many cases, better at cognitive tasks. For 67-year-old Rod, it’s been life changing. Neuropathy (nerve damage) in his legs, appears to have all but gone. And 75-year-old Shirley, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, surprises by not only acing the physical tests but improving her ability to think quicker.

All that’s left to do now is to show friends and family what they’ve been working on for the past 12 weeks. Taking the stage at prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), the nerves melt away and they put on a remarkable performance.

There’s not a dry eye in the house. Their eight minutes of a complex integrated dance executed with professional ease and greeted with a rapturous standing ovation.

Production Details
An ABC Production, Producer Director: David Symonds, Associate Producer: Oliver Graham, Rebecca Hill, Executive Producer: Penny Palmer, A/ Head of Factual and Culture: Richard Huddleston.

8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.