Newsletter - October 2008
Since our last newsletter in April, Wonderful Beast has been very active creating its latest production ‘The Dead Moon - A Smuggler`s Tale’ and working within the community. The response to the ‘preview’ tour in Suffolk and Norfolk was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Audience participation in the singing of sea shanties, and the guest performances by the superb step dancers and traditional singers was a triumph, whilst the drama, framed by a Suffolk folk tale told by Ann Firbank as a feisty old female smuggler, held everyone in its thrall. (see past productions, The Dead Moon, for details).
Great theatre….. it deserves wider coverage David Porter, Eastern Daily Press
Life -enhancing evening made unique to its surroundings by the inclusion of a wealth of local talent. Steuart Bedford
I liked the smuggler`s wife because she could sing beautifully exactly like you`re in heaven. RB Rima (Virginia primary school, Tower Hamlets)
Wonderful Beast is now planning a more extensive tour for the autumn 2009, to cover East Anglia and beyond, and to include workshops and performances for schools.
Outreach - ‘Memories of Suffolk – Smuggling, Stories and Songs’
(January-July, 2008)
This rewarding pilot project was led by artists from Wonderful Beast with four elderly groups in day care centres and alms houses, in which the participants had the opportunity to reminisce, join in discussions, sing and enjoy live music and storytelling. Through the generosity of Adnams Charity and Suffolk Artlink Culture Club they were also able to attend a free performance of ‘The Dead Moon’ at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge.
During the sessions a need was established by the residents and staff of the Mary Warner Homes to develop the partnership with Wonderful Beast further. The exciting result is:
‘Behind the Scenes at Mary Warner's
Boyton Church, Suffolk, December 5th 2008
stories, songs, poetry, reminiscences, music and dance
Time 11.00am and 2.30pm
Wonderful Beast and the residents of the Mary Warner Homes will devise, rehearse and stage a theatrical event in which they, the residents, will perform. The show will consist of music, poetry, songs, Suffolk folk tales, step dancing and communal singing inspired by and drawn from the experiences and memories of the residents. Stepdancers and traditional singers from ‘The Dead Moon’ will also take part. Please contact Wonderful Beast if you would like to attend. Seats are £5 but limited.
