Latest Claque News
EAST GRISTEAD PLAY 'MATTERS OF CHANCE' IS CAST AND READY TO ROLL.
We now have a cast of over 80 for Matters of Chance, the play for East Grinstead. Jon Oram is now busy with rewrites, making changes to accommodate everyone. The first full cast rehearsal is set for September 12th. Allison has sent out to the cast a list of the parts people are playing, rehearsal schedule, map of venues, and such like. Allison Patterson in the Director’s assistant and is the main contact re anything to do with rehearsals.
We are presently negotiating a lease for a fabulous design workshop on Imberhorne Industrial Estate. It’s large enough for rehearsals as well as costume and prop building. I hope you visit the workshop and have a go at some making, there is something for everyone. Our designer is Laura Stanfield and she is presently gathering a team of professional designers. The music is traditional 1930’s 40’s Hollywood, and Jon has written lyrics for 4 pieces which will be especially composed. There will be opportunity for everyone in the cast to sing and for those with skills to play a musical instrument, to be part of the Rainbow Ballroom Band. If you are a musician why not sign up?. Noah Nicholson is the musical director and is head of music at Sackville School. There is a lot do and we are constantly on the lookout for volunteers, so if you are not already involved sign up and please keep asking friends and family, to get involved too. Sam Tyson Banks is the project co-ordinator and will deal with an array of activities and responsibilities from marketing, to fund raising, and box office – a huge task. We are also looking for volunteers for all types of backstage jobs and much more besides so call 07906 509282 or email cast@egplay.org.uk if you are interested
The East Grinstead Community Play is in performance from November 29th - December 11th 2010 at Sackville School. There will be a play reading in the early part of July followed by casting. Everyone who wants a part is guaranteed one. Writing the script has started and it looks likely the play will be set in the 1930's and 1940's and include the building of the hospital, the part it played in reconstructing airmen who were burnt during the war and the part the people of East Grinstead took in their rehabilitation. www.egplay.org.uk
OFSTED REPORT PRAISES IMPACT OF COMMUNITY PLAY
Five years after facing closure for its poor performance, St Barnabas Primary School in Tunbridge Wells has been celebrating a good Ofsted report noting the postive outcomes from their involvement in a Community Play. The school was put into special measures by the education watchdog in November 2003 when inspectors found pupils were achieving below the national average in English and maths.
This latest Ofsted report from May 2010, praises the school for raising standards and developing strong links with the community. Throughout 2008/2009, the school and its pupils became involved in the Community Play in Tunbridge Wells 'The Vanishing Elephant'. They played a major part by allowing the use of their hall for rehearsal space and playing field for the 5500 ft tent in which the production took place.
Ofsted states that 'their wholehearted involvement in Jon Oram's community drama, The Vanishing Elephant is having a lasting and remarkable impact on raising feelings of well-being in the locality.' In response, we're thrilled this is recognised and that the community play benefits of strengthening and widening horizons, setting new standards and developing community particpation are being felt.
For a look at the full Ofsted report, click here.
Jon has made a few visits to Cumbria in the past few months. They now have a steering committee and are planning for a play in June/July 2011. The invitation came from the Sedbergh Literary Trust who will be partners in the project. The Literary Trust have been instrumental in making Sedbergh the English Book Town (As Hay on Wye is the Welsh Book Town)and they run a successful annual literay arts festival. The play will form a centre piece to the 2011 Festival.
FARNHAM COMMUNITY PLAY- IT'S OFFICIAL
Farnham voted 'Yes' to having a community play at their Public Meeting Launch on July 13th at St Andrews Chuch. Joe Michel spoke movingly as to why the committee thought a play was right for the town. Then Jon Oram, explained what a community Play was and presented a proposal for the Farnham project. People then asked an interesting array of questions. People are now invited to join the growing number of volunteers for the project. You can have a look at the @Our Farnham' web site and blog by clicking here.
THE IMPRO GROUP IS TAKING A SHORT BREAK BUT ANNOUNCE SOME OCCASIONAL EVENTS
The Claque impro group is taking a break over the summer and will then meet monthly through September to December before taking up their weekly meetings again in the new year. They also plan to run an Ad Hoc ARound the Clock impro day to raise funds for the EAst Grinstead Play sometime in September. Date to be announced. The Claque Impro group grew out of the Seven Streams Community Play and a whole new bunch of people joined this established group after Camden Road the Musical. There is a list of games from the first six weeks workshop in Theatre Games on the Claquers page. Watch this space for upcoming workshops and Talk at the Tonbridge Festival in October. The practical workshop is on comic improvisation and the talk by Jon Oram, supported by the Impro group is about. "Finding the creative writer - How plays work."
"The real feeling you get emerging from a triumphant evening is that a community has been confronted with a slice of its own past; and that in the process it may have learned something vital about its turbulent and recessive present." The Guardian
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| Claque Impro Group | Camden Electric Parade | Camden Road the Musical | Book Launch |
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