A POIGNANT new play that shows how music can help people living with dementia has a won a hat trick of prestigious awards.

Lost in the Beat was written by Knutsford writer Andi Orton, a nurse and psychotherapist.

The drama features Rose, a 45-year-old fun-loving, kind lady, who discovers she has Alzheimer’s.

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Rose runs a community choir and has always loved music.

When she was young she dreamed of being a singer songwriter.

Her mum didn’t share her ambition so she followed a conventional path, getting married and having two children.

Andi said: “The story follows Rose’s painful journey as she, her family and friends experience all the devastating consequences of the diagnosis.

“However, this play is not about having Alzheimer’s.

“It’s about the incredible power of music, and how the community wraps its arms around Rose and her family.”

The play had a successful run of five shows, including three to packed audiences at Knutsford Little Theatre.

The drama was entered into the Liverpool Fringe Festival and was nominated for eight different categories, including Best Drama and Best Production.

The cast was thrilled to win a trio of accolades, Best Original Show, Best Musicality and Best Director.

Original music was co-composed by Di Healey, who runs two choirs in the town, Knutsford Beats and Star Choir, and pianist Richard Badger.

The play was directed by Abbey Fitzhenry.

Producer Suzy Bardon, of Beat Productions CIC, said: “We have had a wonderful run of five shows with packed audiences and wonderful feedback.

"We were extremely proud we actually won Best Original Show, Best Musicality and Best Director.

“We would like to send a big thank you to Knutsford Little Theatre for their support and Knutsford Town Council who made a most welcome donation to our Knutsford production.

“We received funding from Art’s Council England for our professional theatre run.

“We were honoured to have two representatives from Vicky McClure’s ‘Our Dementia Choir’, Karen Bonser and Daniela Smith, attend our final show.”

The two choir singers paid tribute to the powerful performance, saying: “The acting, singing and sensitivity of how this was delivered was amazing.

“We cried a lot as it was so close to home.”