Sunday 16 December 2018

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe- The Final Chapter


The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been one of our favorite stories for many years. When we first started to create shows with the Chameleon group we laughed about the idea of running a project inspired by it. The story was so grand and the characters so many that it just never really seemed feasible. However, given the successful reception of The Three Musketeers and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz this year, we began to wonder if maybe it would be possible after all. It seemed completely surreal thirteen weeks ago when we finally got started on the project and even more so yesterday when we finally saw it on stage.


This term has been, without a doubt, one of the best we have ever run. We are always lucky enough to somehow work with a lovely cast, but this term they have been truly outstanding. From the first session, the amount of passion for the story which everyone brought was clear. The group were always excited and full of new ideas for the show and how to adapt the story. Even when everyone had been assigned their characters, nobody stopped giving ideas for how things could be done or how the story could be performed. They were a wonderful cast, the biggest we had ever had, and they made it such a fantastic experience for us.


It's noteworthy that because of illness, the cast hadn't actually performed the show with all of the set, props and costumes together before yesterday. The technical rehearsal was one full of excitement and plenty of nerves; however it looked good. On the Cygnet stage for the first time it finally looked like a finished performance.


Throughout the day the cast were buzzing with excited energy, eager to perform their adaptation of C.S. Lewis' story. When the time finally came; they did not disappoint. The show made the audience laugh and cheer (and boo at points...sorry White Witch). The cast went above and beyond and delivered a wonderful show. They made us very, very proud. As written earlier, this story was one we have loved for some time. To see it done such justice by our young cast was heartwarming.


It has been such a magical term overall. Our Chameleon Group has certainly reached a milestone this winter; it is not a project that we will soon forget. On the topic of milestones, this is our ninth performance with the Chameleons since the group first started. Next term we will be looking at Inuit mythologies in 'The Girl and the Fox.' The stories from this part of the world are rich and vivid, so it is sure to be an exciting term.


All that's left to say then, as we haven't said this enough, is thank you to everyone who attended the performance and supported our Chameleons. Thanks to our incredible cast, the Cygnet theatre and the Exeter University Drama department for having us. Here's to the next adventure, and the next and the next and the next. Merry Christmas to all. See you in 2019.















Story Makers: The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat- Week 7: 'Shadow Puppets.'


Yesterday we had a very long and very busy day with our Chameleons at the Cygnet theatre: where they performed their show and we closed the book on another term. Fittingly, this morning also saw the conclusion of our first term with the Story Makers; and suddenly seven weeks seems to have flown past. It being the first term for the group, there was always the question of what would happen at the end of term.


Initially, the plan was to create a show, however after working with the group it seemed that doing so might be asking too much too fast. The group is comprised of some lovely creative minds and demanding a performance from them felt like the wrong approach. So, after much debate I decided a better approach would be to create a version of the story which, if needed, could be seen as a performance, whilst also teaching the group a new skill. The way in which I finally settled upon to achieve this was to do some shadow puppetry.


Creating shadows is easy- we used some torches, a couple of bed sheets and some string for the screen and light, but there are many other benefits for working within this age range as well. For instance; our story makers worked together (first in pairs and then as a group) to create the effect of the shadows on the screen. It was a good exercise for promoting teamwork and communication between them. Additionally, for those who would otherwise be too nervous to perform in front of others, being behind the screen alleviates the feeling of being watched.


In terms of learning the mechanics, the group paired up and took a screen each. Both had a toy chameleon which they could use to create shadows. Both pairs had to try and make the chameleons look larger and smaller by moving them towards/away from the light.


Next we set about telling the story. This involved using some small cardboard cut-outs of the characters who appeared. The group worked together, taking turns to hold the torches up and use the characters, whilst the story was narrated. All in all, it was a lovely performance, made up of elements which most could find at home. It sums up what this term has been about; teaching our story makers about drama using simple things to create something imaginative which helps to tell a story. Sure, we have focused on learning about the different elements needed and approaches taken to telling a story, but the intention has always been that the group could use the skills they learn outside of the sessions too.

  
So it was that we ended up with a performance to bring this first term to a close. While it may not be a similar one to our Chameleon group yesterday, or even as initially intended seven weeks ago; the group were all involved and got to tell the tale of the Owl and the Pussycat in their own way. It was a lovely to watch and so much fun to be involved in.


So that's it. All that is left is to say a huge thank you and well done to our wonderful Story Makers. It's been a wonderful seven weeks and there is bound to be more in store for them in the new year. More stories to tell and work to be made. These guys have completely made the early Sunday mornings worthwhile and will all be missed over the Christmas holidays. I couldn't have asked for a nicer bunch to kick off our Early Years drama journey. We will be getting back together again post-Christmas to see Hansel and Gretel at the Exeter Northcott. Can't wait.




Sunday 9 December 2018

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe- Week Twelve: 'Dress Rehearsal.'



DRESS REHEARSAL WEEK!
That’s right; here we are again. It may have been a long term, but the dress rehearsal always feels like it comes around so quickly. It seems like only a couple of weeks ago we started out on the journey into Narnia with our Chameleons and now it’s almost showtime. This week we had one focus- perform the show!




The nice thing about the dress rehearsal, for any show in fact, is that it is the first time all of the work everyone has put in comes together in one place, along with the costumes, props and sound (well usually- we couldn’t get the sound working this week so had to pretend). We have spent thirteen weeks now working on this show and to watch all of the pieces we have amassed come together was particularly exciting.




The dress rehearsal is, as always, couple with the fear that perhaps everyone will simply forget everything we have done. It has happened before and is likely to happen again, for it is a common problem with dress rehearsals. Suddenly the pressure is on and panic sets in, so all memory goes out the window. However, our Chameleons performed outstandingly. As I have written many times this term- the story is long and so there is a lot to remember; and they remembered it all. There are so many lines, scenes, physical sequences, fight scenes and cues within this play, but that didn’t stop our Chameleons.




I think it can be said that this shows how passionate the group is to telling this story. Watching the show for the first time from start to finish yesterday it was clear how much everyone loved it- each member of the cast told the story of Narnia with fantastic energy; the scenes were tense and funny and so entertaining. It was a pleasure to watch, and while there are still plenty of nerves about performing at the Cygnet in front of parents, family and other audience, we are excited to see it with the lights on (and music too).




This project has been such a huge one and has just been so much fun. Excitement aside, we will be sad to see it end next week. While our Chameleon group will return next year with more exciting stories to tell; the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a show we have wanted to put on with the group for a long time and it is sure to be strange seeing it happen. A massive well done to our cast and also to our team; to Emma, Miles and Emma for always being there to support the group. There will be a much shorter post next week to round off the term but this more or less it for me for a while. Onwards now to the performance: FOR NARNIA!






















Theseus and the Minotaur/The Odyssey: Week 6- 'Down in the Labyrinth/ Circe's island.'

A quick blog entry this week- as we are neck deep into rehearsals now and at that point in the term where there's little to say abo...