Bright balloons adorn the ceiling, two dogs are frolicking on the wooden floor, and the room is reverberating with singing and clapping.
This isn't a circus, nor a theatre. It's a seniors entertainment day.
Retiree and entertainer Gary Lyn is performing for around 15 elderly residents at their local Willagee Community Centre as part WA Seniors Week.
Most of the audience are independent - they live in their own homes, assisted by family members, carers and volunteers. They were brought here in a shuttle bus by support group Melville Cares, and carer Monica Elberink said the social interaction and physical activity is vital to their wellbeing.
"These entertainment days are really important for a lot of the old people in the local community," Ms Elberink said.
"It helps them to retain their independence; to keep active, interactive, healthy and socially engaged. Some really beautiful friendships have formed as a result of these days."
Some of the audience suffer from mental and physical impairments, and while creating a meaningful connection would usually be considered a tough task, Mr Lynn frequently draws smiles, laughter and engagement from the crowd.
He starts to sing, beginning with a breezy Frank Sinatra number, 'Come Fly with Me', before building a crescendo with Dean Martin and Bobby Darin. The show climaxes with a stirring rendition of the Sinatra classic, 'You Make Me Feel So Young', and zimmer frames are abandoned and ailments forgotten as all those who are capable rush to fill the dance floor.
Local man Cedric Hendry smiles as he is regaled with the sounds of his youth.
"If you shut your eyes, you could be listening to the real thing," Mr Hendry said.
Mr Lynn has been entertaining for nine years around the wider metropolitan area, and said he performs for the pure enjoyment of recreating joy for people in their golden years.
"A lot of people I perform for met their significant other in the ballrooms, back when this kind of thing was really popular," Mr Lynn said.
"By listening to this music, they can transport themselves back to their youth and relive those special memories."
Alzheimers Australia Research and Education Manager Jason Burton said recent research shows dancing and singing to music were critical elements of general ageing and wellbeing.
"We're seeing strong research based evidence that creativity, and more specifically music have a significant positive impact on cognitive function and a state of wellbeing," Mr Burton said.
"The most positive outcomes of music we're seeing are when it's meaningful to the person, music reaches into lots of different parts of the brain and the more meaningful the music, the greater its impact."
