Southend

Over the February half term, Southend Theatres were thrilled to welcome their first cohort of Work Experience since before the pandemic. They took on 6 brand-new participants, aged 14-18, after an incredible 90 applications, all with a particular interest in the Arts industry.  

The aim was to not only explore and nurture these individual interests for the participants, but also to develop everybody’s understanding of what it takes to run the two receiving house venues, and the responsibilities of the staff, day-to-day, whilst giving them practical experience of the roles too. 

The 5-day placement ran across the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre, where there was a whirlwind week of The Wizard of Oz and Southend Gang Show taking place in the venues. The participants explored a variety of in-house departments from Technical to Ticketing, Hospitality, Front of House, Marketing and more! One of their highlights was meeting the incredible Wicked Witch of the West, The Vivienne, during their time with the Venue Marketing Executive!  

Bromley

This week, Bromley Creative Learning hosted a special dance class aimed at the over 60’s, led by choreographer Giselle Parker.  

This twice weekly class celebrates all sorts of dance from contemporary to ballet, disco to bhangra, and every drop-in session sparkles with originality, and the group regularly performs at local care homes.

Jeanette (Queenie) who is 96-years-old said: “This group is my lifeline. I love coming to the theatre to see my friends and learn new routines. This keeps me going and I don’t know what I would do without Slo Mo.” 

Wycombe

In Wycombe, Les Misérables School Edition was recently performed in the Old Town Hall as part of the Spring Youth Project. The event was a huge success with with three SOLD OUT shows and 65 young people performing and supporting the backstage team.

The project saw 20% of participants disclosing neurodiversity or additional needs, 10 bursary places were awarded and 82% of applications were from people who had never previously participated in a Wycombe Swan Youth Project.

Hayes

The Beck Theatre is delighted to share that Steve Sergeant (Theatre Director) and Charlotte Young (Creative Learning Officer) have signed up to fly in a small plane to 10,000ft, and jump, in aid of this year’s Summer Youth Project! They will freefall for 30 seconds at 125mph, followed by 5 minutes of blissful gliding (parachute depending!)  

The money raised will be going towards the Beck Theatre’s Summer Youth Project which provides an affordable activity for local young people in Hillingdon; a borough with one of the lowest cultural engagements in the country.

Any money you can spare towards their fundraising target will be greatly appreciated – https://www.gofundme.com/f/beck-theatre-summer-youth-project-2024  

Guildford

Memory Cinema 
G Live’s latest showing of To Kill a Mockingbird was their first ever SOLD-OUT Memory Cinema! With a varied classic film program, this cinematic experience targeted to 65yrs + has become increasingly popular each month.

Baby Friendly Cinema Club  
Launched in January, Baby Friendly Cinema Club offers a relaxed environment for parents/carers with babies 0-12 months to enjoy a film without the social challenges that might come with being a new parent/carer in a public space. March welcomes the first SOLD-OUT screening!

Craft Café 
Each month, this free offering sees new and old members of the local community walk through the doors, excited to paint, weave, sew, stitch, colour and create! Notably, one young boy with severe learning difficulties hadn’t engaged as much with an activity in a very long time. Participants have relished learning some new skills along the way, whilst having the option of some tasty treats at The G Live Café. This event will continue to run and future cafes will see mosaic art, mindfulness colouring, cross-stitching and more.

Swindon

Chloe’s Mobile Farm returned for to Swindon’s Memory Café recently. A locally run animal rescue that supports animals rehomed from abusive situations, that then takes the animals around the local area to educate, inform, and help with therapeutic visits. As a farmer by trade, this is always Creative Learning Manager Oli Webb’s favourite session!