A review of our preview of Storybox by Erin at Aylesham Youth Centre

Friday 2nd December 2011

Why did you like it?

The characters had not much to work with (Set) but told the story well. I liked it when they was arguing, also when Laurie was sliding, It sort of blended in with the acting and he carried on, but I think it goes in the story more. Oh wait, AND at the start with the face in the hole of the wall.

I didn't like it because....

I didn't get face lights that much, sort of confused with them. And the costume? When was the story set? What year???

I thought the acting was good because...

They looked like pros ... They knew all their words and there acting was really good... They used Levels and emotion.  It helped to show how they are supposed to feel.

I thought the acting was bad because...

I don't think the acting was Bad, I thought it was very good.

I thought the design was good because...
I loved all of the set and the best part was the little face that was put on the door.

I thought the design was bad because...
I thought that all of the set was good and constructed together well.

It was different to what I expected because...

I had no idea what to think, about the story, characters or the sense.

The best bit was...

I liked it at the beginning of the story and when the women actress began telling the story at the send of the story with the over head projector.

Is there any sort of Feelings or anything for each over at the end of the story, It went well and they had done well. But next they could be more Lovable.. I thought as they were not going to see each other anymore that they would all be together and maybe a kiss.

Up and coming Job Opportunities

Just thought we would share some exciting opportunities coming up with the company:

Job Description - Actor

Wide Eyed Theatre are an East Kent arts company specialising in handmade storytelling. Wide Eyed formed to bring the ancient art and enjoyment of storytelling to new audiences through contemporary performances and workshops. Inspired by a love of stories from across the global and cultural spectrums we endeavour to explore new ways of using this oral tradition to promote self-expression, imagination and learning.

Wide Eyed Theatre are looking for a MALE actor (any age) to devise and perform, with another actor, in their Arts Council funded project, Storybox. 

Storybox will develop Wide Eyed Theatre's storytelling work with children and families in the Canterbury area.  Working alongside the Marlowe Theatre an interactive treasure hunt will be created, objects will be collected and then transformed into a performance installation with a creative writing focus aimed at KS2 pupils.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend 21 days rehearsal and 3 days of performance all in East Kent for a fee of £1584 (plus travel costs). 

The project will be heavily based around storytelling and the performance will include interactive elements and workshop techniques. 

Rehearsals will be from September until December (mainly on Wednesdays and Thursdays) with performances on 8th or 9th October (street theatre in Canterbury) and the 16th and 17th December (Marlowe Studio Theatre). 

Deadline for application is Thursday 1st September.

Audition to be held on the 7th or 8th September in Canterbury.

If you are interested please send Emma your CV to emma@wide-eyed-theatre.co.uk .  If you have any questions please also feel free to email.  Candidates will be notified of whether or not they will be invited to an interview by Friday 2nd September.

Job Description - Designer

Wide Eyed Theatre are an East Kent arts company specialising in handmade storytelling. Wide Eyed formed to bring the ancient art and enjoyment of storytelling to new audiences through contemporary performances and workshops. Inspired by a love of stories from across the global and cultural spectrums we endeavour to explore new ways of using this oral tradition to promote self-expression, imagination and learning.

Wide Eyed Theatre are looking for an experienced designer to collaborate with them on their Arts Council Funded project, Storybox. 

Storybox will develop Wide Eyed Theatre's storytelling work with children and families in the Canterbury area.  Working alongside the Marlowe Theatre an interactive treasure hunt will be created, objects will be collected and then transformed into a performance installation with a creative writing focus aimed at KS2 pupils.

The successful candidate will be expected to work for 15 days with the company producing props, costume and a simple set.  The overall fee will be £1065 with a budget of £1000.  Due to the devising process the Designer will have to work very closely with the Director throughout the process as the production develops and changes. 

The project will be heavily based around storytelling and the performance will include interactive elements and workshop techniques.

Rehearsals will be from September until December (mainly on Wednesdays and Thursdays) with performances on 8th or 9th October (street theatre in Canterbury) and the 16th and 17th December (Marlowe Studio Theatre).

Deadline for application is Thursday 1st September.

Interview to be held on the 7th or 8th September in Canterbury.

If you are interested please send Emma your CV to emma@wide-eyed-theatre.co.uk . If you have any questions please also feel free to email.  Candidates will be notified of whether or not they will be invited to an interview by Friday 2nd September.

UP, the beginning...

In the winter, during the residency in the Little Blue Hut in Tankerton, we were given chance to think and play, to stop and just be. The result was productivity; it is funny that when you stop you somehow get more done. I receive daily emails from a meditation website, Fragrant Heart, guiding me to do just this. it's a tough lesson to learn but genuinely it works. So from the quiet times came this idea...

Have you ever had one of those weeks of coincidences?

A word that follows you around, a stranger’s face you keep seeing?

One week this happened to me...I kept being made to look UP. It started in Folkestone, a group of enthusiasts in anoraks all focused on the sky. They were looking for something, maybe a bird. The thing that was odd was the place; outside B&Q on the commercial estate. Not your typical location for bird watching or discovering some rare species. But it looked important and as I drove past I strained to see. I looked UP

A few days later I noticed two people stopped in their car pointing at the sky. What had they seen? I never found out as the traffic moved on but through other people’s gestures I had once again been made to look UP.

Then on Canterbury high-street I remembered an old sign ‘... miles to...’ It meant that this was once a road with traffic, a main route through the city. I had discovered my own UP moment of curiosity and discovery that I could share, but with whom?

So for a time the idea just sat there as a page in my typewriter, waiting to be returned to. When along came the yearly submissions for the the MAD (Marlowe Artist Development) Project Bursary Scheme. We jumped at the chance and wrote our proposal for a piece of street theatre based on looking up.

We were invited to audition and set about researching all things up. I started to look into clouds and stumbled across a fantastic organisation, The Cloud Appreciation Society. What I found was brilliant, a whole community of people worldwide, who are united by a love of clouds. It was perfect, what better thing to look up at than the clouds!

After a rehearsal Kim and Amelia came into being. Two normal characters with an extraordinary passion for the clouds. They stop at nothing to promote their love for the white fluffy giants that float silently above us.

So we auditioned (in a room without clouds) and we really didn't expect to get it but we did!

So now UP is in progress and we are busy creating and researching. Our intention...

To play with the extraordinary behavior of two people in an ordinary place. To make you stop and look UP.  To ask you to take a moment out of your day and be still, look, be inspired and dream.

Officially aweful Bloggers

So its been a while...

But we have been busy. Since we last spoke we have, amongst other things:

• Auditioned for a bursary and won it! More on this to follow in a later post
• Come to an end with our long running schools residency due to budget cuts, boo hoo ;(
• Started a new term of Marlowe Youth Theatre and Tall Tales
• Finished our part in 'The Revealer', a collaboration with film maker and musician Peter Cook and MYT
• Got 12 amazing and inspiring young people embarking on the Arts Award Bronze and Silver
• Been confirmed for our performance of The Story Box in the New Marlowe Studio
• Written our ACE application, about to be submitted (phew!)

That all for now folks but each of these will be explained in further blogs x

Under Pressure

Today we have an audition/interview

A MAD outing in Fools Paradise

Yesterday we treated ourselves to an outing with lots of fellow creative buddies at the Fool's Paradise Extravaganza. It was basically a showcase of lots of artists who work in the field of street theatre. There was a mixture of installations, music, art, walkabouts and jugglers. Here are some of the best bits...

This was a drawing installation which pretty much topped my list ...

 Above is my creation 'Matilda' and below is Emma's funky offering. I loved how simple a giant colour in cube is but also haow calming and interesting. A meeting place for all ages with awesome results.

It gave me so many ideas  to take back use in different settings. First on my list...buy chalk pens.
Up Against The Wall

 My next favourite thing was Pickled Image's Grandad's Story tent...

 A curious and endearing puppet with a superb storytelling voice. I loved it because it was one of our most successful storytelling games combined with a character to make a complete performance. Simple idea, very quick witted and lots of potential. pickled image

Kerri from FAF arts enjoying the show! I've never seen any one network like her before, it was something to be admired! Her company specialise in this kind of work... faf arts http://fafarts.blogspot.com/

 My next favourite were the wonderfully funny and dare I say likeable Traffic Wardens. Very approachable and non invasive walkabout theatre. Witty with the right balance of prepared work and improvisation. They kept going the ENTIRE day, keeping in character and loads of energy. FUN FUN FUN. The 2 Men. (also loved there marketing...parking tickets!)

 There was music from The Sneakers which got Emma the Wardens and myself dancing. Mini golf combined with pinball from the Crazy Golf Company. And lots of acts in the theatre...

 The best of the bunch (excuse the pun) included The Fairly Famous Family and Grow Your Own.

Other good bits:
Circo Rum Ba Ba
swank
Magic Singh

All in all a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable and insightful day.

We are about to embark on our own Street Theatre adventure so watch this space!
 

Anticipation

Amazing

Don't know what I like more, the weather or the building...

http://www.lobstervision.tv/marlowe#/

Enjoy x

Fingers crossed

Off for what could be a very important chat. Watch this space....

Goodbye Hut Hello Spring

Tell me a story

Watch me

Dress up in me

Follow me

Make me

Treasure?

The final pictures from the hut. We have now said goodbye, our last day was back to freezing. I am so glad we were able to share some nicer weather with guests.

This is not the end of this Blog however, please keep reading xxx

An Invitation

 

Please come along.

Back at the Hut

Poor neglected hut, you are damp inside. We had a few brief visits and adventures but it has been too cold. Now you are full of discarded objects and ideas. The chalk has grown dusty, the ink had smudged and the sugar dissolved into a sticky puddle. A few candle stubs remain on the shelf, the plant has decayed.

My hands are solid the fingers struggle to place the cold metal into the lock.

But Spring is peeking through the clouds and it is time for us to renew life in you. Open your windows wide an renew our adventure.

I feel the sound of explosion sensing their booming waves pass through me, I picture the sonic bubble as everything hears.

Today the path is alive, the few brave souls have grown into what almost seems a crowd. Spring and good times are on their way.

I feel the damp seep in, everything is swollen.

Today is is pretending to be sunny but sometimes rains.


I packed away the flute. Its untouched new surface all dewy and neglected. A promise of learning and self improvement, its now back safely in it’s box!











Today I type on the laptop and the typewriter sits there like an object of guilt. Its pretty shapes reminding me to use it, but it requires patience and skill. One day I will master.









So little time but this feels good. A deadline to be met, action needed, no procrastination. A good exercise for me I think. You have ideas, move into the next stage, use and complete them!