Play in a Week February 2008

There are all sorts of things going on in the theatre at the moment. We have rehearsals for The Caretaker, Up Against the Wall is running and audiences seem to be really enjoying the night plus we have activ8's Play in a Week in the BNT. There is always a buzz when the young people are in the theatre and they are lucky enough to be working, not ony with the fantastic activ8 team, but also our new Artistic Director, David Thacker.

Play in a Week, this time, is focusing on the work of another Bolton institution The Bolton News. The young people have looked at the news over the last week in Bolton and are bringing some of the stories to life with the power of theatre. One of the Play in a Weekers has taken on a Communications role (hi Lewis!) and it has been his job to draw some designs for the programme cover and provide a little commentary to go with them. Below you can see the outcome of some of his efforts and also get a quick look at some of the stories that have been inspired by features in the paper. I have to add that the images and the scenes in the play used stories they found as a basis but there is both poetic and artistic licence involved in their development....


Story 1: Two people went to a newsagent to buy a paper. They saw a house that they liked in the paper and went to see it. But (dum dum duuummm) the house was haunted by Lewis (you can see the poetic licence coming in here) the mad scientist. The couple then went back to the agent to feedback their spooky findings and they all went back to the house together to check if it was just a hologram...and they were never seen again!

So let that be a warning to you house buyers, if the house is haunted probably best not to revisit it...!

Story 2: There was once a lady. She had a car crash because she was on the wrong side of the road. The kids managed to get out and called for an ambulance. Unfortunately, the ambulance came but couldn't get her out so they called a fire turk. The fire truck came to the rescue and cut her out of the car and into the ambulance.....


Story 3: There was an old mosque where people used to worship and that was used in the war for people to hide from soldiers. One day while on a walk with his dog, the dog ran off and into the mosque. The dog saw an old man reading the Koran.

The owner of the building wanted to turn it into flats but the dog owner wanted it left as it was a used for its original purpose. He commented 'It was used as a mosque, so let it be a mosque again'. A public meeting was called to decide the outcome of the meeting. Everyone came and argued.

I walked in and said 'Let's have 3 different parts. Leave the top floor as it is, ahve the middle as flats and have the ground floor as a mosque'. And they all agreed....

Well done Lewis for skilled and productive negotiation.

Want to appear on stage at the Octagon?

Calling all 8 - 11 year olds: Come and make a Play in a Week at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton.

activ8, the participatory department of the Octagon Theatre, is looking for 8-10 year olds with keen interest in drama and performing to take part in this half-term’s Play in a Week project which runs from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 May 2008.

Play in a Week is a fantastic opportunity to have fun and be involved in workshops to learn new skills and help build your confidence in creating a short production in the space of five days. The performance will take place in the Bill Naughton Studio Theatre at the Octagon on Saturday 31 May at 4pm, to which friends and family are invited.

Ellie While, activ8’s Children and Youth Drama Facilitator comments,

“Previous Play in a Week projects have proven to be great success, performance skills are developed, new friends are made and the performances are a spectacular culmination of acting, story-telling, music, movement, costumes, props and facepaints! All produced and performed by the participants.”

No previous acting or performance experience is required to take part. You can read more about Play in a Week here.

Play in a Week takes place at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton from Tuesday 27 May – Saturday 31 May, 10.30am – 4pm. Places are still available and cost £55; they can be booked by contacting Lynsey Merrick, activ8 Administrator on 01204 556501 (If you are experiencing financial difficulty please do not hesitate to contact activ8 and they will able to discuss further options in regards to financial assistance). All information for parents, children and young people will be sent out in the post when places are booked.

activ8 update

Thought it was about time I gave you an update on some of the things activ8 have been up to of late.

Play in a Week
Half Term, which I am sure for many teachers and pupils now feels like a distant memory, brings with it activ8's Play in a Week project. This project is an opportunity for young people to not only make friends but also teaches them new skills as they get to grips with crafting a complete performance. Working with a team of professionals the performance brings together various disciplines including acting, story-telling, music, movement, costume, props and even face paints!

21 young people from all over Bolton came together for 5 days to work on Roald Dahl's revolting rhyme Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This modern adaptation of the classic fairytale featured funky music, hip-hop moves, a 'wicked' queen, magic mirror and seven gangster dwarfs with a mild gambling addiction! Here's a snippet from the script:

While all of this was going on
Oh where, oh where had Snow White gone?

She'd found it easy, being pretty,

To hitch a ride into the city....

Sounds great doesn't it and I hope to post some pictures soon too. Certainly seems that some of the parents and their offspring enjoyed it. Here are a few of their comments:

'My daughter really enjoyed it and I was overwhelmed with the performance given by the children. You obviously all worked very hard.'

'I just wanted to say how much [my son] enjoyed the Play in a Week last week. He had such a good time and can't wait to come back in May. Do you know when I can book places for the May play in a week? He can't wait to come back!'

If you or your child wants to get involved in the next Play in a Week in May then bookings open early April. You can contact activ8 on 01204 556501 or email lynsey.merrick@octagonbolton.co.uk.

UPDATE: as promised you can see some of the photos from Play in a Week below

Youth Theatre - Stage 3

activ8's Youth Theatre encourages young people to learn skills in improvisation, character building and play writing, and gives participants the opportunity to learn more about what happens 'behind-the-scenes' of a theatre. The sessions also aim to build participants' confidence, encourage self-awareness and provide an opportunity to meet new people and have fun, as well as the chance to perform in front of a live audience at the Octagon Theatre.

Their next performance will take place on Friday 14 March. This group have devised a piece of theatre that focuses on the themes of place, community, mystery and hysteria. Here's a synopsis:

Welcome to Blackwood, a sleepy town in the back of beyond. You'll meet all the usual folk, a barman, a teacher and even a preacher. Nothing out of the ordinary then, or so you might think. There's also something else, something different about this place, a something that can't be explained.....

Why not come along and witness the townsfolk as they unravel the forgotten secret of Blackwood? You can book tickets via the Ticket Office on 01204 520661 or book online.

And finally....

You may remember us talking about activ8's production of Millboys, Chavs and Space Cadets. If not, you can read about the rehearsal process and see a short video about the making of this ambitious project here.

We have received some production photos of Millboys now which you can see below. These have been taken by Paul Cliff. Nice work Paul, your shots have made me regret missing this show.