The cast this term is our largest to date; full of both familiar faces and plenty of new ones too. The response we've had to this term has been phenomenal and we were delighted to welcome everyone into our ever expanding Anthos family. To begin with, once we were all out of the rain (building issues) we got to know everyone's names. We thought it would be fun to make a game of it so we had the Chameleons toss a bean bag around the room to each other, saying the name of the person they throw it to. This is a super easy and fun way to get everyone familiar with each other and break that initial ice. This was also a good chance for new facilitator Ella (of AYC fame) to get to know everyone. On top of a large cast we have a wonderful support team of facilitators on board for the project.
For obvious reasons (namely it's great) we kicked off the movement games with a Augusto Boal technique- or a version of. In the game everyone need do the opposite of what the person in charge tells them. If they say jump, the group clap, if they say go then the group need to stop. The game is great fun and a nice way to ease newcomers into the high spirited and fun atmosphere of the sessions.
We next had them work together to create different shapes with their bodies. Again, as we focus on a lot of physical theatre with the group- this is our favourite way of getting the Chameleons to think creatively about how to paint a stage picture without props set and costume.
For our break we had cake for everyone to celebrate the birthdays over the summer holidays that we missed. It was also a good chance to catch up with everyone about their summers before we got stuck into the topical bit of the morning's session.
When we were back in the room we asked the group what they knew about the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Quite a few of the Chameleons know the tale well, it seems, and we discussed some of the characters that appear; from the Pevensie children to Aslan, to the Witch. We also talked about our performance and how we would set about creating the show. As always everyone is eager to know what part they will have in the show- though we managed to stand strong and reveal nothing (that will come in a few weeks).
What followed was an Anthos Arts tradition; a speed run. For those unfamiliar, a speed run is where either myself or Ben narrates the show and we ask the group act out events as we go. It is always mad and always intensely fun- everyone has a good laugh with a speed run. Primarily, we do this so that the group has a chance to try multiple characters and also grasp the story. Fifteen minutes after starting, we had performed a very very short version of what the final production will be.
To conclude the session we split the Chameleons into groups and asked them to create still images of children on a train. We talked about the beginning of the story and how all the events are set in motion because of the Second World War and the Blitz of London. Each team created some lovely images of train carriages which we hope will next week feature in the opening scene!
And so that's a wrap! It's fantastic to be back. The term looks like it is going to be wonderful- we have a lovely and very creative cast and all of us are eager to see what work they create in the coming weeks. Next week we will be focusing on acting games, techniques and beginning work on our first physical sequence. Until then.
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