Drama Club Wrap-Up Session.

On Fridag 16th April 2010 the Drama Club and The Fiasco Division met for a wrap-up session at The Howbury Centre.

We started off with playing games as big booty, the clapping game and so on.

Then we did individual interviews about the process of working on an intergenerational project, for the documentary, whilst different games still were played. We got some great interviews from the participants.

Mid-way through the session we all watched the work in progress documentary film.

Some of the participants brought lovely chocolate cakes, short bread and lemonade, that we all enjoyed, followed by a group discussion about the process, performance and the project in general.

We all had a good time, and it was a great way to wrap up such an amazing project.

Above are some images from the last Drama Club Session for this time.

Anna.

Images from 'Happiness Begins'

The pictures are taken by Photographer: Lubos Horvat.

Performance Day.

The Fiasco Division's Happiness Begins in Slade Green: corridors filled with balloons, elders in school uniform scoring fantasy football penalties, a gorgeous video capturing individual moments of joy, Bollywood disco dancing, and a rousing chorus of Daydream Believer – proof that 'community arts' projects for teens and older people doesn't have to mean TV-inspired soap. D. Max Prior, Total Theatre Magazine

On saturday 10th April, 72 audience members, the Drama Club and The Fiasco Team including performers and photographer gathered at The Howbury Centre in Slade Green for 'Happiness Begins', on a beautiful and sunny spring day.

Preparations were made; including blowing up about 500 balloons, setting up the space, making the tickets; a balloon attached to a string with the program and a message. Everyone helped out with the preparations before warming up.

The cast was concentrated, focused and slightly nervous during the warm up.

At the end of the warm up we all gathered in a circle and shared with each other what we would bring to the performance and why we wanted to do it.

Then it was time to get in positions and start the show. Alex introduced the project and had a small explanation about the performance, that it was a promenade piece and that the audience had to follow the explorers. Then the performance started.

The audience appeared to be excited about joining us on our search and journey for Happiness. Scene after scene ran smoothly and was packed with concentration, focus and spontaneity. It was very touching to see how each and everyone really played and enjoyed themselves on stage.

All the participants have come so far in their own development as performers and players. It was magnificent to see how each individual gave something very special and unique to the performance.

When the audience travelled through the second corridor, which was packed with colourful balloons and performers whispering: 'It's through there!' I was all ready in the drama-hall ready to cue the music, and I could hear one balloon after the other pop which added great tension and excitement in the performance as a whole.

The audience entered the drama hall to find Tony and Ginny sat on chairs in sadness, who all of a sudden bursted out in joy and jumped around together. Now the other participants appeared outside, looking through the window and shortly after joined Tony and Ginny for a big dance celebration,watching a music video and the whole ensemble singing Day Dream Believer. Followed by applauds and bows.

The participants exited the drama hall and Alex said a couple of final words, thanking the audience for coming. During his speech we could hear all the performers outside, cheering and being very happy. This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life, it was truly magical.

This project has been magical in itself, I feel very lucky to have had a chance to get to know the people in The Drama Club and to be a part of this fantastic journey.

The participants really gave what they could in the performance and created wonderful moments that I believe will stay on with people.

Hopefully The Fiasco Division will embark on another project like this in the near future.

I want to thank all the performers in the Drama Club for all their hard work. I also would like to thank The Howbury Centre and Mel Hudson for always being so helpful and giving. Other thank you's goes to: Michael Wearing, European Youth in Action Scheme, Bexley Council and Rose Bruford College, for contributing to make this fantastic project possible.

The cast for 'Happiness Begins'

James Benbow

Owen Davies

Anthony Day

Carol Eastaugh

Kyra-May Hudson

Lewis Hudson

Nikita Hurst

Lisa Lemos

Lauren McCullum

Win McGhee

Ginny Povey

Iluminada Pérez Puche

Angela Quilala

Tony Saunders

Almudena Segura

Katie Simes

Krystal Uttridge

Jenni White

Amy Wisheart

Keep on smiling and laughing.

Anna.

Last rehearsal.

Yesterday was the last rehearsal before the final performance 'Happiness Begins'.

The rehearsal went very well, and the work and play was taken to another level. We went through the final changes and worked on detail, and then had a run through without stops, which went brilliant.

It was amazing to be able to witness all the creativity, play and creativity that came out in the run.

It seemed to me that the participants were really enjoying them, and what we in The Fiasco Division always seek, play and pleasure within the work. The concentration and focus was magnificent!

I am extremely proud and excited about sharing with an audience today, what we all have been working so hard on.

See you at 13.00, at The Howbury Center today for a very touching journey.

Anna

'Happiness Begins' is supported by The European Youth in Action Scheme, Bexley Council and Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance.

Second last rehearsal.

On Tuesday 6th we all met for our second last rehearsal before the performance.

We worked on the ending scene, then did a stop-run through, and finally we ran the performance from beginning to the end.

The last couple of days have been filled with final discussions about how the piece runs, what changes that needs to be done, planning and editing of the film that will be showed at the end of the performance.

Now everything is coming together and we are all ready for our final rehearsal this evening. Bring on great energy, concentration, creativity and playfulness!

Anna.

3rd last rehearsal!

On Tuesday 31st March our aim was to run through the whole structure of the show without many stops.

We worked on the final scene and then went through the whole piece. The first two scenes were run in the actual spaces we will be using in the Howbury Centre, and they really started to come together. The participants were all very concentrated and dedicated with the work.

Throughout the process we have been trying to build up this common theatrical language with the participants, and now are starting to understand the language we are working with, and are improving greatly in every rehearsal.

We are now working on editing the documentary and some other video clips that will be a surprise on the performance day.

Over the easter weekend we have had a little break because the Howbury Centre has been closed, but today we all ready to go in to rehearsals, make the most of it, play and have fun.

We have six hours left of rehearsals before the performance, the nerves and excitement are slowly approaching!

Be quick to get your ticket, and come to Slade Green, The Howbury Centre at 13.00 for the performance 'Happiness Begins' on Saturday 10th April.

Anna.

3 Rehearsals to Go!

Yes my friends, three more rehearsals to go for the show: Happiness Begins. Time to start rallying up your friends and family and members of the Slade Green community to come and attend the FREE sharing on Saturday 10th April, 1pm.

To book tickets, please email tfd@hotmail.co.uk
or
call and leave a message stating your name and the amount of tickets you require on 02082917263.


And now for an update of last week's workshops: The 23rd and 26th March.
The basics of the first scene have been set now as we explored being rebellious, nerdy and naughty school children sitting an exam- working alongside music to help create character and atmosphere. We then tried incorporating the swimming, space man and opera scenes into the equasion. Again, the foundations of the scenes are there, but they do need tweaking and polishing- a feat which must be executed swiftly in the 3 remaining rehearsals!

Working in the reception corridor as a site we tried to create a happy atmosphere using Daydream Believer and smiling. Genuine smiles and giggles definitely worked best. We have found in our own practice as a company that when there is a ripple of truth and integrity in every action then it becomes somewhat more fun to perform and to watch :)

Kids! Why not get the poster I have emailed to you put in your school newsletter? The more you advertise and promote, the bigger the audience! If you have not received an email from us then it may be because I don't have your address, please email me at tfd@hotmail.co.uk and I will forward you our promotional poster!

See you tomorrow at rehearsal and remember we will not be meeting this Friday (2nd April) as Howbury is shut.

Thanks guys!
Lauren x