Creative Health with Gary Beacom



In August 2025, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Durham University, we had the pleasure of introducing Gary Beacom, renowned figure skater and previous collaborator, to both the Oriental Museum, and the Creative Sweet Spots Trail at the Botanic Garden. 

Originally from Calgary, Canada, Gary is now based in Toyko, Japan where he works closely with producer Ryoko Natori. Their recent work involves engaging with care homes; as Japan has the highest ageing population globally, with almost a third of people aged over 65. Performing for Care Home residents with his uplifting energy and accomplished rollerblading skills, the work has taken Gary and Ryoko in supporting older people with fall prevention, balance, posture and gait as part of healthy creative ageing.


25-26
Credits
2025 to 2026



Previous collaborations with Gary


Gary has previously worked with us on a number of projects, both on and off the ice. These include Peacock Lake and The Creative Spirit of John Curry, both of which performed as part of Billingham International Folklore Festival, as well as the climate-based piece The Boy with the Rollerblades. 








11 August



Oriental Museum


The morning of 11 August was spent in Durham’s Oriental Museum, exploring the Japanese Exhibit and delving into conversations surrounding creative health and wellbeing.




Exploring the trail at the Botanic Garden


The afternoon saw Balbir and Gary visit the Botanic Garden, where they walked the Creative Sweet Spots Trail and allowed their conversation to be shaped and prompted by each of the 10 stops. 

The day proved fruitful; the conversation around the Botanic Garden was recorded as a podcast, gaining Gary’s insight on his experience of the trail as an artist, as well as learning how our experiences with creative health and wellbeing can help shape the future delivery in both Japan and the UK.

Also present on the day was dancer Manuela Benini, who walked the trail and interacted with each of the 10 boards in her own interpretation. Towards the back end of the trail, Manuela and Gary explored the theme of ‘Friendship’ at Stop 8.












18 August



Fresh off the wheels of performing at Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, and following on from the previous week’s activity, BSDC and Gary Beacom once again returned to the Oriental Museum. It was a delight to have him as our special guest at the museum, where he met his match in none other than Unmasking Pain participant Hilary Stout. This resulted in a duet of wheels, legs and music in the fitting context of the Japanese Gallery. 





Hilary's Poem 


Gary Beacon was invited to come to Durham to skate
And I-went-to see his performance, which I thought would be first rate.
Of course he danced on rollers, because there was no ice
But still he danced a very fine dance. It was very nice.

Gary-held-out his-hands-towards me. Was he asking me to dance?
Did he really mean it? I looked at him askance.
I was sitting on my rollator. Should I join him on the floor?
Well, I joined him and danced with him and loved it – I was dancing once more.

Now Gary thought that-I-could NOT dance, because he had been told
I had Parkinson’s and also, I was pretty old.
But he took my hands and started dancing,
and he laughed as he gave me a twirl.
I had never ever danced like that for ages, since I was a girl.

Then I moved my arms and upper body. I was dancing in a way,
And Gary leapt up high, skating freestyle. Was it dancing or athletics or ballet?
Then he held-my-walker …as-he-danced beside me.
and he spun me round and round and round and round.
And we kept-on-dancing till I felt quite dizzy,
Was I flying? Or sitting on the ground?

Well, now-I-have a memory to treasure, of dancing on mock ice.
When I think of it, it gives me pleasure, for it was very nice.
When I was whizzing-round the room-I-felt so happy –
I could have danced the night away.
I forgot for a while that I had Parkinson’s……

AND I ENJOYED MYSELF THAT DAY.


- Hilary Stout, Unmasking Pain Participant





Performers

Gary Beacom
Manuela Benini Photographers

Gavin Joynt
Morgan Girvin Videographer

Minh Nguyen