BEHIND THE SCENES AT MARY WARNER'S
(BOYTON, SUFFOLK, 2008)
'I was lonely, and now I'm not.' — RESIDENT OF THE BOYTON ALMS HOUSES
An entertainment in Boyton Church, Suffolk, performed by six residents from The Mary Warner Homes, four artists from Wonderful Beast, six step dancers (including three children) and two traditional singers.
After a week of rehearsals, two public performances took place to packed audiences including people from sheltered housing and local alms houses. The show consisted of music, poetry, songs, Suffolk folk tales, melodrama, step dancing and communal singing. The programme was inspired by and drawn from the experiences and memories of the residents in the previous project, Memories of Suffolk – Smuggling, Stories and Songs.
The project was in partnership with Suffolk Artlink, supported by Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and the Scarfe, Triangle and Concertina Charitable Trusts.
After a week of rehearsals, two public performances took place to packed audiences including people from sheltered housing and local alms houses. The show consisted of music, poetry, songs, Suffolk folk tales, melodrama, step dancing and communal singing. The programme was inspired by and drawn from the experiences and memories of the residents in the previous project, Memories of Suffolk – Smuggling, Stories and Songs.
The project was in partnership with Suffolk Artlink, supported by Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and the Scarfe, Triangle and Concertina Charitable Trusts.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
'Really nice to know that things are going on like this and that people can take part. Some of the folk here are older than us and it`s something to look forward to.'
— MARY WARNER RESIDENT
'I really have enjoyed it. I`ve met a lot of new people and it`s brought back lots of memories.' — RESIDENT/PERFORMER
'Absolute change to when you normally go to church!' — AUDIENCE MEMBER
'I hope it continues in some way. The folklore element makes it more immediate.'
— MARY WARNER RESIDENT
'A new experience. I've never seen a hurdy gurdy before.' — AUDIENCE MEMBER
'I congratulate everyone for putting on a show for older people and it was wonderful to see young people too. Excellent. Please do it again.' — COUNCILLOR
cast |
creatives |
|
Sasha Mitchell
Matt Prendergast Guest singersVernon & Jan Rose
residents of the mary warner homesMary Chittock
Malcolm and Pat Fleetwood David and Vera King Margaret Plunkett |
Director: Alys Kihl
Musician: Sylvia Hallett Step dancers
Rhys and Catrin Pena
Maddy Thorp Percy and Doreen West Lenny Whiting |
funders
SCAN Grants
Suffolk Coastal District Council
Suffolk Artlink
Culture Club
Suffolk Single Gateway
Suffolk Coastal District Council
Suffolk Artlink
Culture Club
Suffolk Single Gateway
