Whirlwind Theatre for Children

Tips for Learning Lines

2010-07-03T11:49:00.001+01:00

Sorry for the wait for this but life has rather over taken last few weeks with everything happening at once, school performances, ballet exams and festivals and also I am going back into the job market looking for both directing and acting work. Have had an audition interview at Burnley Youth Theatre as they are looking for freelance actors to run workshops in schools, have had a meet and greet at ALRA drama school that are opening a second college in Wigan and have an exciting youth orientated meeting to go to at the Young Vic theatre in August. What ever I learn and am involved with on a theatre professional level nationally I will input into Whirlwind youth theatre at The Storey.

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe is now going very well and has to be completed quickly after the summer holidays as there is less than one term before the performance. I am doing my bit and more, and it is time for you to put in loads of practice or else we will not have a performance. Whirlwind Theatre has a reputation of very high standards and no compromise. I can not stress enough the importance of learning lines, songs and stage fighting moves and coming ‘off book’ over the holidays.

I have given you tips to help with learning, for example, repeating the lines over and over whilst doing a repetitive movement i.e. Juggling, running up and down. Jumping, tidying up or rearranging books. This way of learning was encouraged by a very famous voice coach called Cicely Berry (Cicely Berry 1991 ‘Voice and the actor’ lst Collier Books. ISBN 0-02-041555-9 1,) who trained actors at The RSC in the Mid. to late C20th. We lived by her teaching and the above mentioned book when I was at drama school.

Acting is not about intellectual learning as we do at school, college or university and is more like being a visual artist engaged in painting than an academic exercise. We move on a natural impulse finding the physical reaction to words spoken and things happening around us. We have to engage our physical and muscle memory coupled with imagination and observation, then step into someone else’s shoes and take on their reactions to situations around them.

If you sit in your room trying to cram lines into you head, all that will happen when you try to move on stage, is blankness and an ‘um - ‘I knew them in my room’ response. Yes read the script through several times and imagine and picture your character, moves and entrances and their scenes, then work out why they say each sentence. Remember a full stop is a thought change and clauses (the bits between commas) are add-ons to thoughts. Move during the full stops and don’t forget to breath. We all breath and move when thinking but we don’t realise we doing this. Have a go at finding how your character breaths in the scene – we all breath differently and at different rates at different times (make your characters breath). Also look at what is a forward response coming closer to some one ‘i.e. –‘That interesting!’, or a backward response i.e. ‘That’s Horrid!’.

I think I have given you enough instructions to get on with for now with overwhelming you with techniques.

I will be bring the model box that is now finished with me on Saturday and also the masks that I have started. Please make sure I have all your measurements for costumes before the end of term

One exciting bit of news is that a Whirlwind member of the children company, who has been in many of our summer productions, including ‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’, has just landed a lead role in a CBBC programme in the autumn. We give her all our best for this big step.

I will be writing up about the fight workshop shortly…..

Myette.

A Trip to London

2010-05-26T12:44:00.001+01:00

The Young Vic’s Directors Programme

As Artistic Director of Whirlwind Theatre for Children I am always trying to improve my own skills and knowledge to pass onto the young people and Children that attend Whirlwind Theatre. As part of that development I have been working towards an MA in Inclusive Theatre with Chickenshed in London. Chickenshed was the first and is the largest inclusive theatre in the UK with many branches up and down the country. It has led the way campaigning for changes in legislation allowing those with disabilities to be able to join fully within mainstream schools, jobs and activities.

Theatre is a family affair

Most recently I have had the privileged to travel down to London to become a member of the Young Vic’s Director Programme which is extremely exciting and full of opportunities for developing my style of visual theatre performance. I travelled for six hours on a hot and cramped coach, then having met up with my mother, also a theatre producer and writer; I arranged to meet my sister who is stage-manager of the Mousetrap, by the stage door that evening. After this I made my way across London in the steaming heat and jam packed tubes. The Young Vic is a vibrant place with a packed bar and theatre restaurant, where the public spilled out across the pavement and queued to buy tickets to experimental works. The Young Vic does some of the most exciting innovative theatre in the country and is open to all styles including visual arts based theatre, dance theatre, encouraging new writing and experimentation with old works. They also have an extensive young people’s out reach programmes into schools and the surrounding community and the young director’s programme. Their funding comes from a mix of traditional funding bodies and foundations but also corporate sponsorship and regularly filled seats. Although situated with in the West End they are non commercial and independent.

Myette Directing

Every director of the Young Vic has gone through the programme which was launched in 2000 by David Lan the Artistic Director and is the only kind in the country. It is there to support young directors (young not so much in age but of those starting out- which is good for me) and hone their skills and craft through networking, workshops, forums, placements and assistant directing etc. Much is done on-line, mainly because of the vast distances where directors live and work. Places are also advertised for the Jerwood Assistant Directors, enabling eight people a year to work alongside the Young Vic. When I arrived I was ushered up-stairs to sit in a small hot room with about 20 other directors, whose work ranged from the more traditional to opera and contemporary writing. Some were actors looking to direct, others had trained with specific directing courses at drama school and some had come up through community projects. We met the director of the programme who also is part of the artistic director’s team and fully involved with programming. She talked about how the programme could work for us as individuals and our mix was typical of those already on the scheme. I am very thrilled to be a part of this and have always admired the work of The Young Vic. I also hoping it will raise the profile of the work of Whirlwind Theatre on the National scale.

I meet up with my sister after waiting sandwiched between two stage doors, Stomp and The Mousetrap. The ground rumbled in time to the drumming and floor bashing from one side and fully tweeded, overly hot actors fanning themselves, on the other, as they rushed down the steps of the tiny traditional theatre that houses The Mousetrap ( unchanged since its start in the 1950’s). An evening bird sang out of time with the beat from Stomp. I sat by a skip full of used broom handles and contemplated how to get some of them back for the fights workshop on the 2nd & 3rd on the coach! We went to a posh club in evening, (my sister has free membership to all, as do all those working within the West End theatres). I stayed the night at The Military and Naval Club off Charlotte street before the return trip back, another six hour cramped in a smelly hot coach with a rude driver. I sat reading, contemplating the script and working out the next rehearsal schedule for The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe’.

Discovering Narnia: Director's Notes.

2010-05-13T15:31:00.003+01:00

For many people the C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia books can be as divisive as Marmite – you either love them or hate them. They seem to cause as much debate as the election and the formation of the coalition Government have in recent days. But as much as parents discuss these stories, bringing out either the Christian parable like qualities, or the mix of classical Greek and Roman Mythology; children love them and see the story of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy having an adventure by discovering a magical world, the door of which is through a Wardrobe.

Many children’s books use this type of structure, adults detached and disenfranchised from family life, children left to their own devices and an opening to another world, either real or fantastic. They grow up through their adventures but parents or adults remain the same, often failing through their inability to change.

I came to work on ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ (the 2nd book in the series) with vague memories of childhood and the knowledge that many use the story as a tool to illustrate the Gospels (a sacrifice in place of many and death defeated because of innocence). However, as a company, with considerable input from the young actors, we have discovered that Narnia is a frightening nightmarish world that reflects the chaos of the war torn reality. In Narnia the children are forced to battle the enemy whereas in reality they have been sent to safety whilst their parents are at war. By defeating the White Witch they are able to cope with the uncertainties of being evacuees and the real prospect and horror of being left as orphans.

In Narnia the Witch's spies are everywhere; no-one, not even within a family, can be trusted and trees have ears. The land has been devastated for one hundred years, harvests have failed and food is scarce. The inhabitants are at their limit ready to turn to the other side if it means they can feed their family and have some kind of normality. In Britain, during the 2nd World War, there were propaganda posters saying that ‘walls have ears’, people were interned because of nationality not because of political allegiances, language became stilted so as to not give away too much, some were even ready to surrender because of the perpetual bombing and food was eventually rationed
   ‘Always winter never Christmas’.

In Narnia the children experience victory; winter and famine turn to summer and plenty. They grow up with regal responsibilities as wise Kings and Queens and for a time forget the realities of our world, but however, inevitably returning back through the wardrobe. In returning they have changed, having experienced victory in their own lives and with the knowledge that
   ‘Once a king in Narnia, always a king in Narnia. Once a queen in Narnia always a queen in Narnia.’

Through games and improvisation we have explored some of these chilling themes and looked at recurring situations throughout British history where there has been a culture of fear and propaganda.

As a director I chose the Elizabethan period as a style influence for the costumes and music within Narnia, rather than the usual medieval look. This is because not only was it a time of political and religious suppression with fears of contenders to the throne and with Catholic and Spanish spies abounding; but also because we are now within a second Elizabethan era (those from Scotland would say we were in the first). The young people spoke within a Saturday session of surveillance cameras and ID cards, a real fear of terrorism and a mistrust of the young. I am not speaking of Gordon Brown as our equivalent of The White Witch, crying when pushed from his throne; but of a world that is built on mistrust and fear. We discussed how perhaps as humans we need to be a little bit scared as from decade to decade we invent something new, spurning peace and stability. After the “Great War to end all Wars”, we had “World War II” then there was the ‘Cold War’, when this ended we invented the ‘War against Terrorism’. What’s next I wonder?

To bring out some of the nightmarish themes in our production the inhabitants of Narnia are masked. We are mixing mask work and puppetry some of which have been made by the cast. The production is complicated and the biggest we have done to date. It is because of this that it is taking sometime to produce. Parents of the company are getting together to make hairy, scary wigs for the puppets. I’m making a multitude of wire based scrim and papier-mâché animal masks. There are other parents involved in making costumes and Mike is busy putting together the music and turning my set design ideas into a working scale model box. We have Sam Khan fights director up this half term to choreograph the fight scenes and a rod puppet making workshop. There is a huge amount of work still to do and any volunteers are really welcome to help in sewing shirts and skirts and other items. It is an exciting production and stretches everyone however young or old. Everyone is in most of the scenes. We are learning to support each other as a team. The text is written in an old fashioned rhythm but we are all getting the hang of the style slowly. Stage direction are bizarre stating things like ‘Father Christmas swoops in’ and the ‘Turkish delights magically appears’. The production is fantastical, scary, exciting and in some cases topical – I hope you will all enjoy the outcome and the rest of the workshop rehearsals.

Myette Godwyn - Director

2010-05-05T19:39:00.000+01:00

Press Release

Audition for the part of Peter in The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe
Whirlwind Theatre for Children is searching for someone to play Peter alongside another company member in their youth theatre musical production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Without this vital role the Queen will reign supreme within Narnia for evermore! They need a young actor aged 16 – 18 years, who will join their weekly youth theatre team at The Storey Cic each Saturday and to take on this role. Auditions will be held on Saturday 15th May from 11.30am. This is an open audition but please contact the office first to register your interest.

Half- Term Stage Fighting Workshop with Sam Khan June 2nd & 3rd
Whirlwind are excited to have working with them for the first time, Sam Kahn, choreographer and renowned fights director during the May/June half-term break (June 2nd – 3rd). He is a certified teacher with the British Academy of stage and screen combat works in some of the major drama schools in and around London including Italia Conti and RADA as well as in films and television. Sam will be concentrating his efforts on the fight/battle scenes in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe for children and young people (open to all not just youth theatre). However, there will also be extra workshops for adults interested in learning about stage fighting on Tuesday 2nd June in the evening.
Workshop for 6 years – 15 years – June 2nd – 3rd 10am – 4pm (Bring a packed Lunch) Price £30 for two days. (25 places)
Adults Workshop – 2nd June - 6pm – 9pm Price £25 (15 places)

Half Term – Bring a friend - puppet making day 4th June. (10pm – 4pm) (£15 price includes making materials)
After the success of the Easter Bring a friend day Whirlwind are again opening the youth theatre up for those who want to come and see what we do. This is a buy one get one free taster session where if you bring a friend they come in for free. The session will consist of fun drama games and ice breakers, improvisation and rod puppet making.

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
This current production is developing into an exciting, visually and musically stunning spectacle with giant animal masks, puppets and Whirlwind’s unique style of physical performance. As part of the performance the children have been invited to play instruments and will be working with one of Britain’s foremost Jazz musicians Tony Carter, formally of the Chris Barber band. Aslan is being played by Whirlwind Theatre regular and gospel singer Ife Akintunde and The Queen by Director /producer Myette Godwyn, co-founder of Whirlwind.
The production is set to happen this Christmas 2010 with more shows planned for 2011. For information about the audition, the production, and workshops please telephone Whirlwind Theatre on 01524 812480 or e-mail enquiries@whirlwindtheatre.org.uk

New Term

2009-09-06T17:57:00.004+01:00

We're back.
After a well deserved (at least we think so) break the Children's and Youth theatre is starting up. The younger group started on Saturday and we were very pleased with the number that turned up and with the excellent work they all did on their first day back. The older group starts this Monday and we are all looking forward to the year ahead, working towards a production of The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe. More details as the year progresses.
More updates later this week.

2009-07-30T15:35:00.001+01:00

Whirlwind Theatre is now taking its annual break and will be back in action on the 10th August. Anyone wanting booking information please e-mail your details to enquiries@whirlwindtheatre.org.uk. Leaflets and newsletter about our forthcoming weekly youth theatre working towards The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be sent out on the first week of September. You will find most of the booking information on the Website and you need to reserve your place by telephone or by e-mail.
Whirlwind Theatre is always looking for volunteers to support the children during workshops and help with front of house duties including meeting and greeting at the start of each session. If you would like to help in this way send us a message.
Just to remind people that the Whirlwind Theatre facebook site is an open forum and I have added a discussion point this week if you would like to add your comments. Will be updating this with news and reviews after the short break.

Website Update

2009-07-28T10:19:00.002+01:00

Hi all.
Just been spending a bit of time updating the website. Taking a little longer than expected as the online editter keeps timing out on me!
Also, keep losing information about links and things so have to keep going back to find them. Maybe I should write them down somewhere sensible?
Will try and keep this updated a bit more regularly as well.
Bye for now - back to the website.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

2009-06-30T14:51:00.001+01:00

Whirlwind Theatre’s Youth Music theatre company is searching for youngsters to be a multitude of fantastical characters in their forth coming musical production of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis and adapted by Adrian Mitchell. This production had rave reviews when it was first commissioned and performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1998, it is now due a come back and what better than performed by Lancaster’s children’s theatre company Whirlwind Theatre. It is full of fun and memorable songs that every one will continually hum and enjoy for many days after. Workshop based rehearsals start in September at The Storey in Lancaster, every Saturday for the 5 – 9 year olds and every Monday evening for the 10 – 16 year olds. The Youth Theatre will be joining the professional company later to stage the production next year (dates to be announced). There are many rolls to fill including Edmund, Lucy, Peter and Susan and Whirlwind Theatre does not hold auditions so parts are filled during the weekly workshop sessions, which also includes design and prop making.

The story is set when four children are sent to live with Professor Kirk to escape the Blitz. Whilst hiding from a strict and rather scary house keeper, Mrs Macready, they stumble across an old wardrobe that is the gateway to Narnia, and the adventure begins…

Whirlwind Theatre is special in that it is Ofsted registered, has high standards of childcare and with this, some people can claim fees back through child tax credits or pay with Busy Bee vouchers (there are discounts for the unemployed, parents and guardians who are full time students and carers- who are unable to claim the above) . For more booking and price information please all 079505903229

Theatre groups and Childcare Vouchers.

2009-05-21T11:45:00.003+01:00

These new groups are due to start very soon now, after the half term break and we have lots of plans for them. Parents, you may be interested to read about Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers as we will be participating in this scheme which may be able to help you with fees and childcare expenses.

During this next half term, leading up to the Summer holidays we will be looking at:

Animals, Fairies, Goblins and Magic Worlds,

where parents are strictly forbidden.

‘Alice’ falls down a rabbit hole, ‘Harry Potter’ finds a magic train station, In the ‘Narnia’ stories children go through a wardrobe to find an exciting new world, In ‘Toms Midnight Garden’ there is a slip back in time and in ‘Dog so small’ it is the imagination that carries the character – How can we explore finding a magical place? Is there a way through to other worlds hidden in the school play ground or some where at home? Where does the normal day become extraordinary? The work this term will be exploring the use of life size puppets in performance and ways to make these.

Whirlwind Theatre is a company that uses puppets and masks as integral to performance and these have included Giant Dinosaurs, Seagulls and birds of all sorts in the past. The young people will be learning styles and techniques including the warm up exercises used by the professional company when working towards a production.

Whirlwind on the Move

2009-04-26T14:10:00.002+01:00

WHIRLWIND THEATRE IS MOVING TO THE STOREY!

Commencing after the summer half-term break (June 09) Whirlwind Theatre is
starting an exciting and fun weekly Youth and Children's Theatre on a
Saturday morning and Monday afternoon (ages 5 -16 years), working towards
performances alongside the professional company - learning about theatre
from the inside out. The company's work is story picture-book in style,
is inclusive working with all children who want to have a go, teaches
classical theatre and technique, retaining many theatre traditions, has
links with drama schools and the profession and ensures the
performance-based work is of the highest standard. The company has always
prided it self with the highest child protection standards, adhering to
Ofsted regulations. Please book a place as they are limited.

As well as the regular work and shows in September the
company will be starting interactive, traditional story-based
performances, for the under-fives, on a Wednesday morning. You and your
child can become a part of the story, be sly and greedy birds in 'How the Tortoise got his Bumpy Shell' or be a part of a fire breathing dragon in 'George and the Dragon',
make trees grow from the ground, work puppets and learn simple songs.
For booking details please contact the office on Tel: 07505903229 or
E-mail: Bookings@whirlwindtheatre.org.uk. Website: www.whirlwindtheatre.org.uk

Autumn Update

2008-11-04T09:04:00.002Z

Hello everyone.

It may be well after the summer programme now, but Whirlwind are very busy with new plans and projects. Since Brilliant the Dinosaur and after a well earned holiday, Mike and Myette have been putting things together for the forthcoming year.

Newsletters have been sent out to everyone on the mailing list along with an oder form for Brilliant photographs and DVD's. If you have not had one of these and wish to order then please contact the office. Posters from the last four Summer productions are also available at the bargain price of £2.50 each, so why not take a trip down memory lane and order all four? (They look great side by side.) After a slight hitch with the Whirlwind T-Shirts these should now be with everyone who ordered them and are now available to order once more.

If you run an out of school club or youth organisation, have you thought about having whirlwind in to run a session? Sessions can be an hour, half a day or a day, tailored to meet your needs and are variable in price according to length and structure? Why not talk to Mike and Myette and see what they can contribute to your organisation?

Finally, and saving the big news until last. In the New Year Whirlwind are planning to start running sessions for children on a weekly basis. More details will be announced shortly, but keep watching this spce, the website or the facebook group for news of this exciting development.

Brilliant the Dinosaur Photographs.

2008-09-15T16:04:00.002+01:00

Photographs from the summer 2008 production can be seen on the website here.

Do have a look and enjoy. There will be news next week about photographs and dvds for sale.

Whirlwind Facebook Group.

2008-08-04T17:25:00.002+01:00

For all you internet addicts out there in blogland, Whirlwind now has a Facebook group. Do come over to Facebook and join us and have some fun discussing the up and coming production.

The group can be found by following this link.

Brilliant The Dinosaur - Ticket News

2008-07-31T10:09:00.005+01:00

Rehearsals for the summer production are going well and the children are enjoying themselves.

Posters are now going up around town, do look out for them. If you can display a poster, or better still are able to get several displayed in your locality then please contact Mike to request them.

Performances are at The Kings House on Phoenix Street, Lancaster on 13th, 14th and 15th of August at 6.30pm and on 14th August at 2.30pm.

Adults £9.00
Children/Concessions £7.50
Family ticket £28.00
Tickets may be pre-booked online by Credit/Debit card by clicking here.
Tickets may also be available on the door.

Brilliant :- Ready to go...

2008-07-25T16:52:00.002+01:00

The summer school, Brilliant the Dinosaur will be starting next Monday, 28th July. Hope you are excited, we certainly are. Here are all the final details and things you may need to know to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Doors open at 9.15am each day, ready for a 9.30am start.

Doors open for collection at 3.20pm, for a 3.30pm finish.

The first day may take a little longer as registration details are checked.

Children will need:
Sensible clothing for physical and messy activities.
Sensible footwear, ie trainers, gym shoes, soft sensible shoes. (NO heels, flip-flops or crocs.)
A named water bottle that can be refilled if necessary.
A healthy packed lunch. (Please avoid nuts and sesame seeds if possible as we have some children who are allergic.)

Water and fruit will be provided during the day, but please feel free to include extra items for breaks.

Please note there is little or no parking on the WhiteCross Estate unless you work there and have your own permit. The most convenient free street parking is outside the hospital.

We look forward to seeing you on 28th and are sure we will have a 'Brilliant' time together.

Summer Production Progress

2008-06-17T16:39:00.002+01:00

There are a lot of things happening now in preparation for the Summer Production, Brilliant The Dinosaur.

All our staff are chosen and over the next few weeks we will introduce you to them.

There are just a few space left for children, we are looking especialy for some older boys 13-14 years old with strong singing ability to play the family, and children from 6-14 years to play village children and friends of the family and the dinosaur. Every part is equally important because Whirlwind Theatre is ensemble, assigning equal importance to every role and every member.

This year we are hoping to be able to borrow staging and a raised seating area for the audience to enable them to see much better.

Help needed
There are three ways you can help us:

1.) We are looking for companies to advertise in our programmes, if you know of any who many be interested, please put us in touch with them.

2.) We are also looking for sponsors for the stage set and costumes. This can be from individuals or companies and you can sponsor all or part of the set or costumes.

3.) Finally we also need bike tyre inner tubes and boy's tank tops. If you have one or many to donate please contact us. It doesn't matter if they need repairing, we are well able to 'make do and mend'.

Press Release

2008-06-09T15:26:00.001+01:00

Press Release,
‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ by Richard Stilgo. Whirlwind Theatre Summer Production.
What is large, green, very theatrical and 160,100,000 Million year old? Whirlwind theatre latest recruit -‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’!
Whirlwind Theatre is inviting 45 local children to join the professional cast and go prehistoric in ‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ by Richard Stilgo, this years popular and exciting summer school production. Whirlwind is also looking for hundreds of bicycle inner tubes to make a 10ft long Diplodocus, a mastery of design and the largest puppet that Whirlwind theatre has ever made. Dr Ife Ackintunde, Gospel singer and local celebrity, is the voice of the dinosaur with his warm African and jazz tones. He will be learning to operate the front of the puppet which is no mean feet as he is completely blind.
‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ is written especially for children and was first performed at the Chichester Festival Theatre to glowing critical acclaim. ‘I don’t know why children are fascinated by Dinosaurs, perhaps it’s because they are huge and exciting but safely extinct’ says Richard Stilgo. The story is set a few years from now in a South Coast town ravaged by hurricanes. The latest storm opens a canyon in the cliff and reveals the town’s oldest and least known inhabitant a real and living Diplodocus.
‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ has a light fun comic Opera feel, with close harmonies, a high speed sung argument and a singing dinosaur, and fits very well into Whirlwinds theatrical style. Myette Godwyn, Artistic Director, says that it reminds her of the music she was brought up with, touring with her fathers renowned company ‘The Palm Court Theatre Orchestra.’ Myette is very proud to be able to direct one of Richard Stilgo's shows as she met him several times as a child, because he was topping the bill with her parents. He is one of Britain’s best loved and known theatre composers and is famous for teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber for Starlight Express. He also is a great supporter of inclusive children’s theatre and has a company very similar to Whirlwind in the South of England.
‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ should not be missed, either to see or to be in, a very memorable fun time by all.
Whirlwind Theatre is Ofsted Registered and has a welfare team that support the children through out the production and workshop time. Up to 70% of fees can be claimed back through Child Tax Credits allowing for more children to take part. Rehearsal start on the 28th July and the performances are on the 13th to the 15th. August. Each day begins at 9.15am and finishes at 3. 30 pm (not weekends).
If you would like a place, of would like to donate inner tubes, please ring the office on 01524 812851, or on line at Bookings@whirlwindtheatre.org.uk. To view past work please look at the web site www.whirlwindtheatre.org.uk.

Recognition for Whirlwind

2008-05-16T10:46:00.003+01:00

The 'Key Cultural Partners' in Lancaster and Morecambe will have their advocacy document ready for distribution in the next few weeks detailing all the major arts activities and companies in the area of which we are one! It's great to see that we are finally being recognised as a key arts organisation in the area.

We have had some response to our call for Board Members but are still looking for more. Please contact the office for more details. Details of how to contact us are on the website, see the link at the side.

Finally for today Mike is currently touring again with Chris Barber.

Summer School News

2008-05-14T10:36:00.000+01:00

We now have 30 children already booked onto the summer school. Places are filling quickly so hurry to book yours soon.

Rehearsals will be taking place at The Chapel, White Cross (venue of our recent sucessful Easter Programme) and we now have confirmation that the performances will once more be at The King's House, Pheonix Street.

We are awaiting confirmation that Steve Allan Jones will be able to do the music for us again this year. Unfortunately we won't be able to have live music as the costs would be too high. The stage set design is underway for the summer show and looks as if it will be a challenge but as you know we relish challenges of that kind.

We are hoping to update this blog more frequently now so do bookmark and visit back frequently. Later in the week we will be posting an update about the company.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-06T20:53:00.001Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SPLENDID NEW YEAR
Dear All,
We are writing to inform you of some exciting news and developments. We are in the process of purchasing 50 St Leonard’s Gate in Lancaster that is at present attached (joined) to Kings House where we are based at present and have first refusal on this ideal space, next to good parking and pedestrian access. This purchase will allow us not only to offer more classes, workshops and expand The Summer School but also service a greater age group for longer and have a welcoming meeting place for families, a repertory of children’s theatre suitable for 2 years upwards, a café with opportunities for children’s parties and private hires of the 150 seater theatre and a friends and families club. We have to, however, buy the space which is at present £250,000 and the development of the space will come to £1.1 million, approx £1000 per square metre. This of course will be phased into smaller, manageable amounts over a few years. At present we have a feasibility study underway, new business plans drawn up and funding bids going in – with the help of Creative Lancashire, part of Lancashire county council. All very exciting and I know some of you expressed an interest in fund-raising and we would appreciate any suggestions and help you can give. One of the ways is to sell Whirlwind Cards at your schools, or fairs, of if you own shops or have your own theatre, castle or chain of retail stores. Another way is to simply shop on-line with easyfundraising.org.uk This is a shopping directory that features some favourite online stores, including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys’R’Us, HMV and over 500 others. All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and with no extra cost, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make. It’s entirely free to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. All you need to do is visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/whirlwind and when you register, select Whirlwind Theatre for Children as the organisation you wish to support – so here’s to you spending ‘loadsamoney’…All the money will go directly into a building fund. If you have any other ideas such as sponsored Shakespeare reading in the bath or singing the entire works by Sondheim whilst standing on one leg in a bus queue etc. or willing to auction your entire family’s heir-looms please let us know and we will gratefully consider your suggestions.
The workshops and summer school will be carrying on as usual but in temporary accommodation within Lancaster, information on the new site will be available in the New Year. We are hoping to raise the age groups this summer but have an older group later on in the afternoon i.e. grouping. 6 – 11s together and then the 12 – 17’s but will keep you posted on this. We are looking to do a play by David Wood OBE, our patron, who some of you might remember meeting at the end of ‘The Light House Keepers Lunch’.
We have a new website being developed at present and a ‘blog’ which you will be able to add your comments to or submit articles – The ‘Blog’ will be updated regularly and will keep you up-to-date with workshops, Summer School, fund-raising and the building .etc. We are looking to have an online booking for workshops by the New Year – There will be early-bird and multiple booking discounts through this online system and a list of merchandise including plays, props and costumes for hire.
Other exciting developments are firstly our educational programme launching this January with cross-curricular workshops using storytelling techniques and providing lesson plans and workshop ideas. We already have a partnership with St Johns school in Pilling. A tour is also planned for October 08 having finished writing ‘The Stork’s Tale – Samuel and David’ loosely based upon the biblical characters, because we like Ancient Kings and Scary Giants, but through the eyes of Stalks as in traditional fairy tales. It has many memorable songs, audience participation and suitable for ages 2 – 90 years inclusive.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope to see you all in the New Year!
All the theatrical best
From Mike and Myette at
Whirlwind Theatre for Children