Over the summer break, I have been up in Darlington a couple of times. First to deliver my Barmy Britain Workshops in July, and then I was asked back, to create bespoke family workshops for their 114th Birthday Open Day at the weekend. I immediately said yes as the staff and venue are just so welcoming, and brilliant at opening up opportunities for their community.
The location of these summer workshops has amazingly been on stage. I adore on stage workshops, especially when the auditorium looks as stunning as this Edwardian Hippodrome! As you may know, I'm all about accessibility when it comes to the arts, and a venue being able to offer free on stage workshops, opens up a wonderful opportunity for everyone and anyone to access the magic of treading the boards of a theatre, in a safe and fun learning environment.
At the open day, the families threw themselves into all the drama activities I had planned (some of the adults were loving if more than the children)! See them pictured below creating a timeline of Variety Performance styles that would have been seen on this very stage back when it opened in 1907- by the brilliant quick change artist Signore Reno Pepi.
Creating this bespoke workshop offering with the given theme of 'Edwardian times', meant I got to delve deep into the theatres history, which is always fascinating, be it as old as the Hippodrome or as new as The National Theatre! I can do the same for you at your venue, educational setting or community group, drop me a message and we can create magic together through learning and theatre, with a bespoke workshop just for your audience.
Have a fantastic week and keep shining!
Rebecca.