Get writing!

Yesterday we had our second creative writing workshop with the Changes group in Burntwood. As well as poetry we had a think about more extended pieces of creative writing; ways of creating stories and characters and considering them from different perspectives. We had a think about using  the five senses to create images and also key questions - who, where, why, what and when? After a go at some word association and rhyming we used all of these devices to create a short piece of writing.

Gary and Mal display some of our word association and rhymes

It's been really interesting learning a few 'tricks of the trade' - writers clearly don't just chew the end of their pencil and wait for inspiration - it's hard work but we have discovered ways of creating ideas and using them in interesting and not immediately obvious ways.
Many thanks to Gary and Mal who led the sessions - I'm looking forward to reading some of the work created as a result. I might even have a go myself!

Competition time!

You are all invited to follow the trail to find the Seven Deadly Sins...  

 

All in a days work! 

To celebrate World Community Arts Day, the Sins’ costumes from Doomsday, the final play of the Lichfield Mysteries, will be on display in business premises around Lichfield city centre from February 15 to 28. All people have to do is name the ‘Sin’ on display at each of the seven venues and submit the completed form. Correct answers will be put in a draw for prizes for themselves or their school, courtesy S & J Music and Virgin Active.

Participating venues are: S & J Music, the George Hotel, Lichfield Cathedral, Spark Cafe Lichfield, Lichfield Library, Oxfam Book Shop and Lichfield Heritage Centre.

Pick up an entry form from any of the venues or download a form from the Mysteries’ website: www.lichfieldmysteries.co.uk

 Three of the ‘Sins’ are pictured, but we obviously can’t name them as it would spoil the competition!

Busy, busy, busy...

Three of our community engagement projects are now underway - it's really exciting when the work you have been planning for ages actually starts to happen!

Wednesday 5th February
Rehearsals for At the Crossroads have now started - an outline of all the scenes of the play has been devised so work has now started on the actual dialogue, music lyrics and ways of setting the scenes.

Director Simon hard at work!

  

Meanwhile...

Thursday 6th February

The Friends2Friends group were introduced  to Peter who is going to be pulling together and directing their drama piece which will celebrate their second birthday in May. After a bit of a chat, Peter cut to the chase and we spent the rest of the afternoon playing drama games - lots of fun on a dreary wet afternoon!

And to round off the week...

Friday 7th February

Changes Burntwood were treated to a poetry workshop led by Gary and Mal.  Creative writing is well out of my comfort zone so I felt the time had come to face up to my poetical fears and have a go myself. Everyone joined in and contributed their thoughts and ideas Two hours flew by and we all felt that actually, maybe we could write poetry after all! Next instalment next week.

 

At the Crossroads - first rehearsal

Having had our workshops to generate ideas and devise the play, our first rehearsal is on Wednesday 29th January, 7.30pm, the Lichfield Room, Wade Street Church, Frog Lane, Lichfield.
If you couldn't make the workshops but would like to get involved in this production it's not too late - just come along to the rehearsal.
The performances are on the 9th & 10th May in the Lichfield Garrick Studio. If you don't want to perform then get the dates in your diary, gather some friends and buy some tickets!

This project is supported by

Happy New Year!

Our Late Night Pop Up Nativity was lots of fun - and we raised £156. Well done everyone!
Here are a few photos taken before we set out...

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas Tree Festival
Lichfield Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival runs from the 6th-15th December. We have decorated a Mysteries tree with images and some lovely comments from our lovely participants! It's well worth a visit and you can vote for your favourite tree (hopefully ours). You might even find a picture of someone you know...

 

At the Crossroads...supported by the BBC

At the Crossroads...
Bible, Burlesque and the Blues
There are 2 workshops left before Christmas; 11th & 18th December. This is your opportunity to have a helping hand in devising this new piece of theatre being performed next May at the Garrick studio. Rehearsals will begin in the new year.
If you haven't been before don't worry, come along and join us at one of the workshops - actors, musicians dancers, backstage help - everyone welcome.  Lichfield Room, Wade Street Church Hall, Frog Lane, Lichfield, 7.30pm.
We are delighted that this project is being supported by the BBC Performing Arts Fund.