'The Meeting' is adjourned.
What a project. I won't lie and say I didn't go in to the project with a certain amount of scepticism.
The project seemed risky. To make a piece of theatre in 2 weeks using a hefty amount of research gathered by Gareth Clark and Merega Pulser (Mr & Mrs Clark), voices from numerous pockets of community in Newport. The purpose of the project was to make something profound. Something that would change the way people think, would challenge there 99% perceptions, something that would, in it's own way, "regenerate" Newport. I've lived in newport for almost 6 years. I wasn't sure about standing on a soap box and telling people born and bred about their town but I was shocked by the response.
The people who came spanned a broad spectrum. From 8 year olds to 80 year olds, men and women from deferent cultures, sceptics and believers. We performed over 10 times to audiences ranging from 4 to 22 and the experience harboured a lot more than I first expected it to and for me. People left feeling invigorated, optimistic and hopefully proud about their town. Having had their voices heard and transformed into performance must be an awesome thing. It must make people appreciate the spent by other people pondering over their words, let alone have an appreciation for the delivery of it. It was an amazing experience as a performer, I hope it was as much of an experience for the audience members.
The amount of people who came was incredible! URBAN was thriving and alive every night of the week. The gallery exhibition (beautifully curated by Steph and full of amazing Newport-Scentiric art) was visited by 76 people in 1 day! We sold out every single evening performance, Newport felt alive again! The people who gave their time to come are owed a lot for the over all impact of the show, and they prodded my scepticism back into it's jar.
Thank you so much to anyone who came.
It feels like something big is going to happen in Newport... And on that note...
WE HAVE A HUMUNGOUS SPACE FOR ARTISTS!
Merel Prescott chair of Art-Topsy (An artistic collective from Newport) working with us and especially Val from Healthy Planet has managed to gain us and other artists free space.
MFI closed down in Newport in 2011. Since then the building has been derelict. The building is enormous and is full of valuable space.
Art-Topsy and Tin Shed Theatre Co. will be moving in together this December and beginning to plan and explore this spaces true potential. For this to happen and the immediate community, or local artist/company to not benefit would be such a butter. So... Yeah... It's pretty awesome.
We're hoping to work with other theatre companies, community groups and young people in the local area offering free drama classes and workshops.
What I really want to do is plan a massive zombie apocalypse audience experience... Interested?
Very exciting opportunities await. NEWPORT.
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