Wanna be a rap star?

BBC Blast and The Poetry Society have partnered up to bring you this year's SLAMbassadors competition. Six winners will be invited to a two day masterclass event to be held in London with leading UK poets. The winners will also get the chance to show their skills at a live slam poetry event and perform alongside professional poets including Scroobius Pip and Benjamin Zephaniah!
Write an original piece (poem or rap) on the theme of identity and win the chance to perform at a live slam poetry event. Record your original track in less than 60 seconds and upload to our showcase now!

What is slam poetry? Slam is the competitive art of performance poetry, spoken word and rap. To find out more SLAMbassadors workshops are running during Blast on Tour events in: London, Bristol, Liverpool (e-mail blast-liverpool@bbc.co.uk for full details), Sunderland, Salford and Leeds. Click here for full details of how to get involved.

BBC Blast has touched down in Bolton

What: Blast is coming to Bolton for three days of exciting free workshops and taster sessions in everything from dance and music to film, fashion and loads more. Don't miss out - book today!For a full line-up of sessions still available see below.

Where: Victoria Square, outside Bolton Town Hall

When: 8th - 10th October

Age Range: 13 - 19
Everyone taking part in BBC Blast activities needs to bring a completed Blast Consent Form to the event. If you are under 16 this will need to be signed by a parent or guardian. Click here to download the form.

Today's Events

1pm - 3.15pm Photostory
If you were to feature in a comic, would you be the hero or the villain? Working with photographer, Kwame Lestrade and using the software Comic Life, you can create your own photostories and comics, and let your imagination run wild.

1pm - 3.30pm VJ Workshop
The Chemical Brothers are doing it, Fatboy Slim's doing it - why not try your hand at VJing? Mix images like a DJ mixes music to create your own video show.

1.15pm - 3.30pm Animation - Stop Motion Celebrity!
Create your own stop motion animation featuring your favourite celebs and get all the top tips from our expert animator.

4.30pm - 6.30pm Photostory
If you were to feature in a comic, would you be the hero or the villain? Working with photographer, Kwame Lestrade and using the software Comic Life, you can create your own photostories and comics, and let your imagination run wild.

4.30pm - 6.30pm Mcing
Are you a budding MC? An Mcing crew will give you some tools and tips on creating the best hooks and phrases. You'll write some new material and get the chance to perform in the Blast Showcase on Saturday.

4.30pm - 6.30pm Discovery Drop In
Drop into the Discovery truck - you could make a sting for Blast Out Loud radio or your very own mobile ringtone. Drop In

4.30pm - 6.30pm Animation - Stop Motion Celebrity!
Create your own stop motion animation featuring your favourite celebs and get all the top tips from our expert animator.

4.30pm - 5.30pm Breaking News
Record your own Blast news report and hear it broadcast on Blast Out Loud.

5pm - 6.30pm VJ Workshop
The Chemical Brothers are doing it, Fatboy Slim's doing it - why not try your hand at VJing? Mix images like a DJ mixes music to create your own video show.

5.30pm - 6.30pm Breaking News
Record your own Blast news report and hear it broadcast on Blast Out Loud.

There's loads to do so why don't you get down there and take part. Quite fancy the MCing myself....for details of rupcoming session see the full low down here.

Sing When You're Winning...

You may remember me posting some of my rather amateur photos of activ8's Summer School project Sing When You're Winning here. Well, Caz has dropped me a line to say that we have had some rather more professional production images through from Zoe Keenan.Here they are...

Sing When You're Winning - production shots

I managed to sneak into the tech rehearsal for Sing When You're Winning (see the deets here). I am not a very good photographer, the lighting, the movement and the fact I couldn't use the flash mean't that a fair few pictures look like the one below...looks kinda cool but not very good for showing you what the show is all about. I have the greatest respect for Ian Tilton our production photographer for managing to capture such great production shots for our shows as it is not easy.

Anyway, here is one of the set. the photo doesn't do it justice as it looks really great and Lisa's inspired monochromatic colour scheme with accents of red works really well.

Here are some of the cast...

And here's the rest of them busting some moves or something...

They look a little apprehensive below don't they and I got a little carried away with photoshop...

And here's the Head of activ8 - the notorious C.A.Z. I tried to get photos of Lisa who is directing but she remains elusive as it was too dark. I think perhaps that is the mystique of Director types.

If the photos don't convince you then you need to blame my skills not the show as it looks (and sounds) great. The first show takes place this evening with further shows for Saturday. Tickets are a snip at only £6. You can read more about it and book your tickets here...

Community projects.

I caught a news item the other night about Tilda Swinton and her Screen Machine mobile cinema project. She is hoping to bring film to communities that no longer have a cinema by way of a 'cinema bus' called the Screen Machine. As she rightly pointed out most towns, back in the day, had a cinema of some description and she wanted to bring that resource back for a short period of time, encourage people to see little known films and share in a communal experience. Bolton, around 30 years ago, according to Keith (our finance man and expert on all things Bolton), had 3 'picture houses' in Bolton town centre alone. We obviously still have cinemas here but now they are more on the periphery. But anyhoo, this item got me thinking about communities.

This was compounded later that evening, there was a programme called Crime UK. A segment of this focused on how town planners were redesigning problem estates to provide a safer, crime free community. The bit on 'architecture with surveillance in mind' was very interesting but it also talked about Thames Valley Police and their community football scheme for the local young people. Both of these pieces prompted me to do a round up of some of the community focused projects that are currently on our radar:

Our involvement in the RECLAIM scheme.

activ8's Summer School project which plays to the public this week.

The first show of the new season, Mixed Up North, is based on the words and experiences of those involved in a community project in Burnley.

Our casting project for Oliver Twist where we encourage young people from the local community to audition. Please note: all applications must be received by 28 August so if your youngster wants to become part of the Octagon acting community request an application now!

Email: info@octagonbolton.co.uk
Call: 01204 529407).

Step Onto the Octagon Stage this Summer

Well Swung - activ8 Summer show 2008. Image: Zoe Keenan

Our participatory department, activ8, is offering a fantastic opportunity for young people aged 14 – 25 to be part of a theatre and music production at the Octagon Theatre Bolton this summer.

A brand new piece of music theatre has been commissioned and we need 20 young actors and 20 young singers to take to the main-stage for its world premiere.


Selected cast members would need to be available on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th August and the 10th – 15th August to take part in a summer school during which the performance will be rehearsed. This provides an opportunity to work alongside professional writers, directors, designers and musicians. The summer school costs £75. A number of free places are available. Please ask the activ8 team for further details.


Performances would take place on the evening of the 14th and afternoon and evening of 15th August.



AUDITIONS

When: 14th July

What time: 7pm -9pm

Where: Octagon Theatre Bolton.



To book your audition slot ring 01204 556501 and speak to a member of the activ8 team. There are further opportunities in the pipeline so keep an eye on the blog or if you are under 26 sign up for our enewsletter here. If you are over 26 then your can keep in touch by signing up here.

Well Swung Shots

Apologies that this is a bit after the fact but this time last week there was a buzz in the theatre roud about htis time as a group of young people prepared for their stage debut with the preview night of Well Swung.

I really enjoyed the show. The music was great (the swing version of the Scissor Sisters Filthy Gorgeous was my fave). The energy of the cast and their obvious talent was impressive. It makes me wonder how many other young people in the Bolton area are hiding their acting and singing lights under a bushel. I am sure they would be delighted to know that the audience seemed as equally enthralled with their performance as I.

William Hare Bar whispers: not only was the performance on Friday night enough to bring a grown man to tears (your secret is safe with me) , some heavyweight acting talent, who watched the show, were overheard saying how much they enjoyed it also. Who needs X-factor when you have got young people out there that are willing to take their chance on the stage and deliver so wonderfully?

A high five to activ8 for a good job, well done.....

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.