by  Rachel Barnett

This year Play in a Week has been written by Rachel Barnett, she is taking us into the world of film, A romp through 100 years of the history of film, shed a tear with a silent film star, gasp at the drama of a Western high noon, sing along to a musical classic, get lost in the intrigue of a detective thriller, and gasp at the special effects of an action movie. But what goes on behind the camera?

StudioSecrets is a glimpse at the world of the film-makers – the directors, the stars, the cameramen, and, of course, the financiers. A fast-paced story with an unexpected twist.

Performances: Sat 23 July at 7.30pm and Sun 24 July at 2.30pm – Tickets £10

GOING FOR GOLD/BERTIE BEAR’S ALL

At the Nomad Theatre, East Horsley 24^th/25^th July 2010

Two for the price of one!

Last week the Nomad Theatre acclaimed not one, but two, fine shows to triumphantly complete, a packed week, during which the cast of over thirty with joyful participation, entertained large audiences at the culmination of Play in a Week.  This year’s show was one of hundreds of events taking place to provide the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games

This is the 12^th year in which the Nomads have presented a show-and every year, under the dedicated direction of Brandon McGuire, it gets better.  Performers from many local groups including Seeability, The Grange Centre and the Freewheelers, demonstrated what disabled people can, untrammelled, achieve when they are really “Let Loose”, in these days when technology provides so many more opportunities for original presentation.

Starting at 10 am on the Monday, the Theatre became, day and night, a scene of apparent confusion with set-building, making of properties, lighting, filming, singing, dancing and acting rehearsals taking place at so many venues (and thanks for the sunshine which enabled cast and helpers to cool off outside on occasion).  By Friday afternoon, the first run-through somehow took place and, by Saturday and Sunday, Going for Gold was ready for the audience.

All the ideas for the script were put forward by the cast in advance and, with one eye on 2012, the theme decided upon was the London Paralympics with four teams, the Freelands (green), Sunistans (yellow), Azura (blue) and Redskia (red, of course), joining in friendly (well, for the most part, friendly – there was a fair amount of skulduggery going on not only among the athletes but the very shady Hot Dog Salesmen (Julian Pindar and David Hatton) who were out to steal the Gold Cup.  This nefarious activity being brilliantly thwarted by a timely arrow pinning them to the wall.

“Free bun with every dog”!

All the original songs were written during the week by Musical Director, Jay Bristow, and learned and performed during the week.  Andrea Green returned as Choreographer and showed her expertise by choosing and teaching routines well within the capabilities of the cast.  Once again, professional writer. Anita Sullivan, produced a slick, pacy script.

The special effects, including the Olympic Flame, lighted arrows traversing the stage and various missiles propelled round the stage (and audience) by skilled operators, contributed excitement and originality to the whole production.

The sports illustrated were Boccia (a type of bowls for wheelchair inhabitants), the competitors for which were advised by Matthew James, who has played for England, Adaptive Rowing, with superb synchronisation from the Azura team, Dressage where, disgracefully, two of the “horses” had to be disqualified, and Goalball, where the ball, containing a bell, is propelled by athletes who, even if they are actually sighted have to wear blackout masks to level everything.  Even the audience actively participated in this event “tipping the ball over the bar”. All these sports are actual Paralympic events.

The whole audience played enthusiastic parts, joyfully waving their coloured flags and singing the team anthems to support their own teams. At the end, it was impossible to decide who had enjoyed themselves most – cast or spectators.

If you look up the website: www.nomadtheatre.com/let-loose-play-in-a-week you can see the film of the rehearsals and performances which will give you a taste of the tremendous entertainment provided by organiser, Sarah Thomas, and her splendid team of about 50 Nomad members and other volunteers who provided food, transport, support and encouragement for all the actors, among whom Jamie Bensted, with his fine singing voice, Oliver Forsyth, as a very rakish reporter, Andrew Marber as the Mayor, giving out the gold medals, (in his twelfth year!) and Nathan Farrell , who provided some wonderful adlibs at moments of crisis, stood out.

As a curtain raiser, the Freewheelers presented a short, magical film in which Jamie Bensted, Andrew Marber and Andrew Nelson performed an interview with enormous skill and effect. This is an extract from their moving new play, ‘Bertie Bears All’. See www.freewheelerstheatre,co.uk for further details of this excellent organisation.

Pity the poor reviewer who was trying to write notes, find his song sheet, manipulate the programme and wave his flag simultaneously.

Alan Wiseman 27 July 2010

We don’t like barriers, rules or conventions. We welcome new members! www.freewheelerstheatre.co.uk Contact Viv Colvill 01932 860950 01932 860950

The Freewheelers Theatre Company is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee, registered in England No 5994867. Reg.Office: P O Box 339 Cobham KT11 9BD

Have you met a non-disabled person who made you feel like you were from a separate world? Have you felt awkward about how to behave when meeting a disabled person?

We want your stories…
The Freewheelers are exploring the meeting point between two worlds that shouldn’t be separate – between disabled people and non-disabled people. And we are researching people’s stories of moments when they were treated by others as being different or separate. Or moments where they suddenly felt awkward, separate or apart.

Please send us your story… It could be in text, video, audio or another creative format. Please also let us know if you are happy for us to feature your story on our web site www.freewheelerstheatre.co.uk We are happy to make them “anonymous” so your name isn’t published. You can upload files at http://www. freewheelerstheatre.co.uk/projects/feedback-form or email kareng@freewheelerstheatre.co.uk

Going For Gold

Directed by Brandon McGuire

performances 24th July 7.30
and 25th July 2.30

Tickets are £10

Going for Gold is set in Freeland at the 2012 Paralympic Games

Come and join the fun.

Once again the Let Loose team, particularly Brandon McGuire (despite the impending perils of fatherhood). Edd Mott, Nina Holmes and perhaps most of all, Sarah Thomas, fulfilled our expectations, judged by the general level of performance, the satisfaction and response of the audiences and, most of all, by the shining exuberance of the whole cast.

A fine feast to set before the many dignitaries attending and, as usual, it is a pity that more Nomad members were not there to enjoy it. Invidious to pick out individual performances but I loved Anne Grindrod as the trick pony observer, the acrobatic lion, Joanna Denman and Henrietta, the mountebank (Angela Cutager), while she, Oliver Forsyth and Jamie Bensted contributed fine singing

As usual the musical contributions of Jay Bristow (musical director and composer) and his group were outstanding. And the whole performance was produced in one short week!

Many thanks to all the volunteers who worked their socks off in providing food, transport and individual help to all those taking part. And, of course, Cargill, who sponsored the show.

Barnum and Bailey—eat your hearts out.

This weekend was a Let Loose weekend! The aim of the Nomad Let Loose Programme is to enable people with all types of disability to participate in the performing arts. If you would like to help out in the next Play in a Week, like to be involved or even fund the programme please let us know!

[Show as slideshow]

Film Night:
It might also be worth reminding everyone that Wednesday’s film is “Doctor Zhivago”, so wrap up warm for the Siberian winter! The film starts at 2pm.

Quiz Night:
With only two weeks to go, it’s time to confirm your tables.  Please let Sarah Thomas know or email us. Have your payments and team members, by post to the Theatre.  If you have not yet joined a table, please tell Sarah and she will be able to link you up with others.