Guests stepping back in time at the Wyvern’s Wartime Pie and Punch Party on Friday will have a chance to meet talented actors from the popular play Birdsong.

Martin Caroll, who plays Azaire in the play about World War I, and Liz Garland, who plays Jeanne, will both be attending the event before the Friday night performance at the Wyvern. The party is raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society and both actors have experienced dementia in their own families.

The party in The Place from 6pm will support the Alzheimer’s Society’s National Flashback Day – with a Victory themed party, ration tokens to exchange for a glass of punch, a generous serving of dessert pie, and plenty of dancing.

Tickets for the event are £8, of which £6 will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society. Collections are also being taken at the end of each performance of the play.

“My mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in her early to mid-eighties and the very gradual progression of the condition meant that we became aware of someone who initially couldn't remember the layout of the house occasionally,” Martin recalled. “For example, she would come out of the living room and wasn't sure which way the kitchen was.

“However, after almost ten years, it had developed so much that she would ask my sister or myself if she had ever married and had any children, to which we replied of course that, she'd married a wonderful man called Thomas and we were fortunate to have been her sixth and seventh child respectively!”

He said the condition meant that in her mind, she often thought she was a young girl or lady again and she would give them vivid descriptions of her life, pre- and post-war. These included events such as unexploded bombs down the street or nights spent in air-raid shelters, and being more afraid of spiders on the walls than the noise and destruction outside.

“She could describe in such incredible detail, some clothes and outfits that she had made - she was a seam-stress and dressmaker,” Martin said. “Also, she was a marvellous piano player and composer, which meant that music frequently became an amazing way of escaping the all-enveloping condition.

“She could remember tunes and songs by heart, even towards the very end of her life and we bought her a keyboard in the specialist home that she lived for her last two years.”

Liz said her grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s.

“He can struggle to remember family members or things that have previously happened in a day,” she said. “However, every now and again he will recall moments from his past with such clarity. Childhood memories become a way of communicating with him. I can see how the themes in Birdsong will resonate with sufferers, allowing them to remember.”

She said that local support was vital for those with dementia, and also for their carers.

“I am very excited to be taking part in the Wartime Pie and Punch event and to support the great work that the Alzheimer's Society does.”

Liz suggested that a good way to support the carers of those with dementia was to take the time to listen and to organise treats for them.

“My grandmother is in her mid 80s and finds it difficult at times, caring for him,” she said. “Twice a week he goes to a day centre. But often when carers do have some time to themselves they are too tired to organise anything. So why not take them out, sit with them and listen. Just being there makes such a difference.”

The Wyvern is organising a Season of Vintage through the spring and summer and will continue to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. The theatre also runs a Memory Café every third Thursday of the month in the foyer, for people with dementia and their carers.

Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser Lucie Fowler said: “We are delighted that the Wyvern Theatre has chosen to unite against dementia by hosting a Flashback event. Their wartime themed event is a wonderful opportunity to bring the local community together to reminisce while supporting those living with dementia.”

To book tickets for tonight’s Pie and Punch Party, or for Birdsong, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.