‘Musical Infinity and Beyond!’ Celebrate Theatrical Success!
February half term saw the triumphant delivery of Jack Drum Arts’ ‘Musical Infinity and Beyond!’ strand’s performance of Lucinda Coxon’s play ‘What Are They Like’.
February half term saw the triumphant delivery of Jack Drum Arts’ ‘Musical Infinity and Beyond!’ strand’s performance of Lucinda Coxon’s play ‘What Are They Like’. The play was produced as part of the National Theatre’s Connections 500 project. This initiative has supported 500 youth theatres around the country to perform one of 12 plays specially commissioned by the National Theatre. The work of the group was also supported financially by Youth Music and Durham County Council’s Youth Service.
‘What Are They Like’ is a wonderful piece that sees teenagers literally stepping in their parents' shoes to explore the intricate and often volatile relationship between generations. Funny, moving, and thoroughly engaging, the show posed a massive challenge to the group – they would not only develop the show in the style of ensemble theatre, but devise, score, and play live musical accompaniment to the piece. The game was on…
The project began when I ventured south in October 2015 to take part in in the Director’s Workshop weekend at the National Theatre. The ACTUAL National Theatre. The intrepid Country Mouse that I am, got lost only twice and mugged a whopping total of zero times. Throughout the weekend I attended skills workshops such as ‘Basics of Sound Design’ with Pete Maxey, and a Directors’ Masterclass with acclaimed National Theatre Director Lyndsey Turner. I, along with fellow directors from other participant groups, worked for a day with playwright Lucinda Coxon on the nuts and bolts of staging this fabulous play. I returned enthused, enlightened, and terrified by the mammoth task we had in front of us.
The group hit the ground running, exploring the text and the characters, workshopping scenes in their regular Monday night sessions. Sessions, I hasten to add, that had been extended to 3 hours in length. I am unapologetically cruel when it comes to production deadlines. It’s alright – the group are unapologetically mutinous, sulky, and uncooperative in return. We’re a match made in purgatory! A whole host of guest artists and facilitators were added to the mix, to inject a variety of performance approaches – actor Mike Daynes, youth facilitator Katy Roberts, community artist and temporary Youth Music Assistant Sinead Livingston, musician / Jackass alumni James Lane, and sound / lighting technician and Stage Manager Jack Burton. The group were put through their stylistic paces, exploring physical theatre, ensemble theatre, and clowning to name a few. The resulting direction was slick, energetic, and fun. The team grew in confidence and ability, and the show took shape.
Alongside the drama (theatre-wise and in terms of ‘tears and tantrums’), the group worked with Newcastle-based musician Nik Alevroyiannis to develop the score for the play. Using an industry-standard vibraphone, glockenspiels, bass, guitar, and song bowls, they worked with the script and the ensemble to create music that runs through the entire show. They devised themes in relation to mood and character shifts, developing their skills as musicians along the way. The result was a seamless movement between performance spaces to create a sophisticated synthesis of music and action.
In the final week of February half-term rehearsals, the group worked 8-hour days (I’m unapologetically cruel, remember?) to finalise the piece and get the ever-important production photos.
‘What Are They Like’ was performed 3 times, at St. Cuthbert’s Centre in Crook, The Hub in Barnard Castle, and Bishop Auckland Town Hall as part of FebFest 2016, to critical acclaim. Audience comments include –
“Mind blowing- Just amazing, beautiful and outstanding”
“The performance was delivered to a great standard and the music was well orchestrated”
“Excellent. Thought provoking. Brought tears and laughter to the audience”
“Did you install a recording devise in our home?? Absolutely brilliant, funny and insightful to growing up. Their portrayals were fantastic J “
“Brilliant. Brought to life with music too!”
“Truly entertaining”
“Amazing performance!”
“Funny, touching, moving”
“ Script was brought to life imaginatively”
Now the group are diving headlong into MORE REHEARSAL, incorporating the wonderful feedback provided by Tom Mansfield on behalf of Connections 500.
The piece will be performed once again on April 23rd at our partner theatre, the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, as part of their Connections 500 festival, showcasing the work of 5 participant groups. We can’t wait!
Photo credit - Jamie Sproates Photography