Balloons!

Well, now this is exciting! I'm learning the wonderful ways of Photoshop and have just created this rather fetching, and I must say very realistic balloon! You may see something similar feature in the launch of our 2012 Big Top Festival this summer. You know the score... watch this space...

Calling all Bradon Forest Drama students....

You are invited to watch a performance of Faust by a cast of Year 11 GCSE Drama students on Wednesday 28th April 2010.

The after school performance which will be performed in front of an external examiner, will also include a short piece from another GCSE group.

You should be in your seats no later than 3.45 for a prompt start. As the evening is an exam, the audience will not be able to leave before the end of the final piece. This may be slightly after 5.30pm, so you must ensure that you are able to get home if the late buses have already left.

We expect that seats will fill up quickly, so although tickets are free, you must collect one from the Arts Office. They will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Parents, friends and relatives of performers are also invited to come and watch.

I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to watch fellow students perform some excellent work. Faust has been devised, scripted and directed entirely by the cast and is the result of five years hard work and dedication.

If you're a fan of The Shudders and spelling BBQ in full...

Circomedia Workshops

A reminder that the first of the Spring Intensive workshops is happening on Saturday April 24th, 10.00 - 1.00 for primary age and 2.00 - 5.00 for secondary age. Full details on our website at www.circomedia.com.  (Look for City Circus). Places are limited, so please make sure you book ahead if you are intending to come!

Meanwhile if you have any questions, contact Gillian Donald on 0117 947 7288.

Local Events

Now the clocks have changed and it's lighter later, you may have more of an urge to venture out for evening entertainment. If so, make sure you check out the Arts Centre over the next couple of weeks. First off they have celebrated broadcaster, raconteur, writer and cook, Hardeep Singh Kohli combining comedy with inventive cuisine on Saturday 10 April. Just think Ready Steady Cook but with great cooking and funny anecdotes, all delivered by Glaswegian Hardeep in his own unique, articulate and utterly charming way. Tickets are £12.

If you like Hazel O'Connor, then there are just a few tickets left for her performance on 15th April. Make sure you don't miss out!

Talking of music, Ben Waters, one of the world's leading boogie woogie/rock n roll piano players, is playing on Saturday 17 April, with the Fraser Tilly Trio as support. This whirlwind musician plays some of the fastest boogie woogie piano you'll ever come across and the Ben Waters Band presents a great line up of superb musicians, good sounds and, above all, great fun! His raunchy vocals and exuberant style have earned him a superb reputation as one of the genres finest performers.

Finally, picked as one of the comedy highlights for 2010 by The Times Playlist, Laura Solon’s show will appear at the Swindon Arts Centre on Friday 16 April. Laura - from BBC 1’s Harry and Paul and Radio 4’s Talking and Not Talking – presents tepid-shot publisher Diana Lewis, scrambling to find a writer to finish a book and save the company from crisis. Her obstacles include an American Super Agent, a lightly tanned boss, a call centre worker, a diversity officer, The French and a dead rabbit called Ian.

To book all tickets call the Arts Centre on 01793 614837.

Swindon Tickets

Swindon Tickets is Swindon's very own online ticket office, selling tickets for local and national events. If your looking for Music Concerts, Club Nights, Festivals, Sporting Events, Arts, Theatre or Family attractions you can find it here on Swindon Tickets. Keep up to date with what's on in the area set up your own login area to receive details of new events and great deals and offers.

Gluttony

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If you've previously signed up to receive news from the theatre then you may have noticed a shiny new email in your inbox. I've been working on a new template to make sending you guys information on forthcoming shows not only easier for me, but a lot more interesting for you! You'll have to let me know what you think. If you haven't already signed up, then add your name to the mailing list here.

Blown Away

Last night I saw a piece of theatre that completely blew me away. We are lucky in our position here at Bradon Forest that we are able to book some of the top touring theatre in the country, and that our students have regular access to performances from company's such as Gonzo Moose, Pickled Image, Big State, Publick Transport and Shifting Sands. We urge them to come and see as many shows as possible... how else can young people acquire the experience and inspiration for creating their own theatre?

Last night was a perfect example of how a group can benefit from taking advantage of these opportunities. We had a GCSE cast of eight students who have been coming to see shows here over the last five years, some of whom haven't missed a performance from either fellow students or the professionals. They wanted to devise something for their exam that would honour the influences from the likes of the Gonzo's, whilst encompassing their own ideas and interpretations of physical theatre.

They wanted to devise a piece of drama, around an hour in length, using a story idea that they had imagined, researched and scripted, based on the theme of Faustus... pretty ambitious for a group of 14 and 15 year olds, huh? Well, some said it would never happen, that it was too much to expect, that it would never go on, but I am pleased to say that the cast succeeded with gusto! Faust was an intelligent, thought provoking, exciting, scintillating, comical tale of morality that exhibited true creative flair and talent from the students, whilst demonstrating a mature and dedicated approach to the art of performance.

David Calder referred to the piece as the "best piece of youth theatre I've seen in 32 years", and gave a standing ovation. That's no small achievement for the cast! Faust was more than good enough to go on tour or be performed at the Fringe alongside professional companies, but the audience last night were treated to an intimate and engaging show. All of the students performed superbly and should be truly proud of themselves.

As we left, Dominic said: "The thing is, they don't even know how good that was!"

Faust will be performed again on Wednesday 28th April in front of the external examiner.

Lust