Wednesday 27 April 2011

Just over two weeks to go....


It's a little over two weeks before the first full length performances of the Forgotten Sporting Heroes Double Bill - Mad Jack and the Severn Bore and The Fearless Navigator at Randwick Village Hall, Randwick, GL6 6HS (for sat navvers) on 14th May at 7.30 p.m.
It's all getting to that nervy phase now, scripts are done, rehearsing started but there's lighting to sort, backdrop to finish and costume to finish sourcing.
The more I've dug into the Mad Jack Churchill story, the more fascinating it has become. Initially I was worried that it would just be a gung ho "Commando" comic of a story which is how it can be viewed but there's a lot more to it now, there's a sadder, darker element crept in. That's not to say the gung ho "Commando" isn't still there. It now has light and shade - in one section very dark shade!!
The Fearless Navigator has always been (in some ways) the easier, more direct story to tell. Howard Blackburn's story is moving, heroic and at times sad.
With both men though they are tales of courage over different adversity, bravery above all else and inspiration.
If you want to see for yourself come along to Randwick Village Hall or book a ticket by phoning 01453 757136.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Great day at Hesters Way

Library events are now in full swing with Gloucester yesterday and Hesters Way today. Roughly the same number of people at each event and both went very well. Hesters Way is a great place to do these events as they are really appreciated. The kids who were there wanted to know more and get more information as well as try out the "Mini Cheese Rolling" again.
That's why it is such a shame - shame is too small a word - a travesty that the library is closing. Every event we've done there has been brilliantly received. The library is very well used and its wanted and needed by the community.
Chatting with a couple of girls aged 7 and 9 whilst I was packing away, they were talking about their love of books. They didn't have a parent with them but obviously the library is a safe space which encourages that love of books.
Will they still be able to have that love if they have to travel miles and wait for their parents to take them, instead of just walking round the corner?
The councillors who have taken this decision obviously don't realise the potential devastation they are causing.
Any way, don't want to put a downer on a great day! Thanks to everyone who turned up both yesterday and today and see you tomorrow in Tewkesbury!!

Friday 1 April 2011

Forgotten Sporting Heroes of Gloucestershire: Posters, Pictures, Publicity and Libraries

Forgotten Sporting Heroes of Gloucestershire: Posters, Pictures, Publicity and Libraries: "Monday April 11th kicks off the first week of the library performances and workshops. Four short (10 - 15 minute) characters including How..."

Posters, Pictures, Publicity and Libraries


Monday April 11th kicks off the first week of the library performances and workshops. Four short (10 - 15 minute) characters including Howard Blackburn, Mad Jack Churchill, Sidney Smith (Stroud born Wimbledon champion) and Bill Hayward - Baughan motorcyle rider and champion.
The workshop will be a lively affair with mini cheese rolling, woolsack racing,leaping and spurning the barre (Gloucestershire's answer to tossing the caber)
Its then almost a month until first public performances of hour long shows Fearless Navigator and Mad Jack and the Severn Bore.
Photos have been taken for the press like the one on this page, posters produced, flyers are done. Just have to label them up and get them out to venues. Thats on top of finishing scripts, rehearsing, sorting lighting and sound and practising the bagpipes.
This is far more complicated than I thought. Maybe it's because they're cheap pipes or maybe because I'm not fully au fait (is that how you spell that?) with the bagpipe principle.
Not going to be Jack's standard I think so might have to let the magic of theatre intervene. You can work out for yourself what I mean by that.
It's all getting close and its all getting exciting. The Forgotten Sporting Heroes of Gloucestershire are on their way. Details of which libraries follows very soon. See you there!!