Well the festive season is now well and truly upon us, as is the snow!
It is now Wednesday and the last time the car moved was Saturday morning - being located on a hill, with gritting not being a priority in this area, is not much fun.
The "Christmas Cracker" big art workshop went fantastically well. There were lots of children skipping around Nelson town centre (that had been gritted) - wearing their special Christmas crowns and waving their Harry Potter or fairy wands at passing shoppers. It is amazing, the magic that can be created from card, glitter, glue and peasticks.
It was a really fun, if tiring day for us, not least of all because we had to "sled" the art materials down our street just to get them to town at all.
Oh well, the joys of winter in the Pennines.
We wish everybody a Happy Christmas and a Fantastic New Year. Have Fun!!!
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Almost Christmas
Almost Christmas and where has the time gone? We still haven't finished our Christmas shopping and with the first heavy snowfall of the winter (and more expected), travel can be somewhat disrupted in this hilly part of the country.
Our last big community event before the Christmas holidays takes place tomorrow - "Christmas Cracker" Family Art Workshop at Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson. A six hour extravaganza of glue and glitter with children and families - so no chance to sneak off and do a bit of extra shopping there then.
"Christmas Cracker" is a collaboration between Function Factory, Fusion Community Arts and some local professional "visual" artists - all hands on deck for what promises to be a hectic but fun day.
Then it is off to Manchester in the evening for a "Thespian Chrimbo" Night Out (weather permitting us to travel to Manchester in the first place). A great idea, put together by a well known Mancunian actress, cheesed off that us "Thesps" don't get office parties - all I can say is "Watch out Manchester!" with between 60 and 90 of us hitting town.
Our last big community event before the Christmas holidays takes place tomorrow - "Christmas Cracker" Family Art Workshop at Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson. A six hour extravaganza of glue and glitter with children and families - so no chance to sneak off and do a bit of extra shopping there then.
"Christmas Cracker" is a collaboration between Function Factory, Fusion Community Arts and some local professional "visual" artists - all hands on deck for what promises to be a hectic but fun day.
Then it is off to Manchester in the evening for a "Thespian Chrimbo" Night Out (weather permitting us to travel to Manchester in the first place). A great idea, put together by a well known Mancunian actress, cheesed off that us "Thesps" don't get office parties - all I can say is "Watch out Manchester!" with between 60 and 90 of us hitting town.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Holidays are Comin' !!!!!
The 1st of December already - where has this year gone?
We're gearing up for a busy run up to Christmas with lots of special activities planned for our creative learning programme - not least of all the big art workshop in Nelson town centre on 19th - it is going to be hectic, fun . . . . but hectic.
Last week we ran the first of our Family Samba Drumming sessions - the turnout was great and we got some really good grooves going. It is really nice to see the parents and their children having fun together and achieving things together. The next session is tonight and we are expecting even more people to attend. I think that we've really hit on something here - can't wait for our next gig!!!
We're gearing up for a busy run up to Christmas with lots of special activities planned for our creative learning programme - not least of all the big art workshop in Nelson town centre on 19th - it is going to be hectic, fun . . . . but hectic.
Last week we ran the first of our Family Samba Drumming sessions - the turnout was great and we got some really good grooves going. It is really nice to see the parents and their children having fun together and achieving things together. The next session is tonight and we are expecting even more people to attend. I think that we've really hit on something here - can't wait for our next gig!!!
Friday, 20 November 2009
A lively November
November got off to a cracking start with a visit from the wonderful Jeremy Stockwell and things on the workshop front are moving along at a cracking pace.
From Tuesday November 24th we will be running Family Samba Workshops 6.15pm - 7.45pm at Williams Hall, Barkerhouse Road, Nelson - so mums, dads, grandparents - if you have ever fancied having a go at drumming - now is your chance. The workshops are fun, friendly and best of all FREE. Why not give it a go????
Unfortunately though, Samba is not suitable for children under the age of 8 years because of health and safety concerns due to the size of the drums.
On 19th December we will be running a huge, Christmas, Art Workshop in the centre of the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson - yet again this is all free of charge and promises to be a major town centre event.
Tomorrow night - Yvonne is a guest speaker at the "Pendle Women's Voice" launch in Blackburn (they couldn't find a venue big enough in Pendle). Eek!!!! It is always nerve wracking doing these things, however many times you have done them but . . . . fingers crossed . . . . !
From Tuesday November 24th we will be running Family Samba Workshops 6.15pm - 7.45pm at Williams Hall, Barkerhouse Road, Nelson - so mums, dads, grandparents - if you have ever fancied having a go at drumming - now is your chance. The workshops are fun, friendly and best of all FREE. Why not give it a go????
Unfortunately though, Samba is not suitable for children under the age of 8 years because of health and safety concerns due to the size of the drums.
On 19th December we will be running a huge, Christmas, Art Workshop in the centre of the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson - yet again this is all free of charge and promises to be a major town centre event.
Tomorrow night - Yvonne is a guest speaker at the "Pendle Women's Voice" launch in Blackburn (they couldn't find a venue big enough in Pendle). Eek!!!! It is always nerve wracking doing these things, however many times you have done them but . . . . fingers crossed . . . . !
Monday, 9 November 2009
An extremely busy but rewarding few weeks - punctuated by a trip to Birmingham to see Green Day. Best gig EVER!!!
Halloween proved fun running two art workshops with families in Barnoldswick and Nelson - lots of bat mobiles, witches hats and of course the obligatory pumpkin carving.
Hot on the heels of this we had a visit from the wonderful Jeremy Stockwell - (BBC Performance expert. Philosophical entertainer. Maker of curious theatre. Speaker of strange truths). Who made not only a lovely house guest but kindly led a great workshop for Fuse 1318 Youth Theatre, an experience which we think will stay with the young people forever.
It really was a coup for the company to have Jeremy working with us in l'il ole Nelson.
Halloween proved fun running two art workshops with families in Barnoldswick and Nelson - lots of bat mobiles, witches hats and of course the obligatory pumpkin carving.
Hot on the heels of this we had a visit from the wonderful Jeremy Stockwell - (BBC Performance expert. Philosophical entertainer. Maker of curious theatre. Speaker of strange truths). Who made not only a lovely house guest but kindly led a great workshop for Fuse 1318 Youth Theatre, an experience which we think will stay with the young people forever.
It really was a coup for the company to have Jeremy working with us in l'il ole Nelson.
Some time since we added to this blog I know. The truth is, that between Summer Holidays and bouts of flu - and work of course - we have just been very, very tied up.
The company were very busy in August working with Fuse 1318 Youth Theatre on producing their latest show "Out of Here" which was staged at Burnley Youth Theatre on 3rd September. Despite the efforts of both Function Factory and Fuse1318's umbrella organisation Fusion Community Arts we were unable to secure a suitable venue in Pendle - hence the show took place at the Burnley Youth Theatre venue. Fuse 1318 does, however, remain a Pendle group (despite reports in the local press that they have re-located to Burnley).
Having said that, much thanks must go to Burnley Youth Theatre for all their support in providing a fantastic venue and for the great welcome we received from their staff. The show went down really well and was attended by a number of local, Pendle dignitaries who supported and praised the young people's skills and achievements.
The company were very busy in August working with Fuse 1318 Youth Theatre on producing their latest show "Out of Here" which was staged at Burnley Youth Theatre on 3rd September. Despite the efforts of both Function Factory and Fuse1318's umbrella organisation Fusion Community Arts we were unable to secure a suitable venue in Pendle - hence the show took place at the Burnley Youth Theatre venue. Fuse 1318 does, however, remain a Pendle group (despite reports in the local press that they have re-located to Burnley).
Having said that, much thanks must go to Burnley Youth Theatre for all their support in providing a fantastic venue and for the great welcome we received from their staff. The show went down really well and was attended by a number of local, Pendle dignitaries who supported and praised the young people's skills and achievements.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Voices from the Past
I'm sure we all like to googlewhack our own names now and then. It is just too tempting not to. Imagine our surprise when we ran a search for Function Factory actress and writer in residence, Yvonne Pinnington, recently and a link came up for an interview that she did with BBC Radio 4's "Woman's Hour" in 2005. The interview also featured some short extracts from "Cold Light Singing" all courtesy of the BBC's wonderful "listen again" service.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Theatre Out of Town
Function Factory Theatre will be touring their production of "Cold Light Singing" - The Pendle Witches Story this coming Autumn, for the fifth year running.
This year's tour will be a mini one. The company hadn't intended to tour this year but we were approached, out of the blue, by some venues and . . well . . . . we just couldn't resist!
Trying to bulk out the tour to make it financially viable has been an interesting task this year. Either dates offered by venues have been so spread out that we would be calling the cast together for a performance every two to three weeks. This is not an easy demand to satisfy, given that the cast's home locations are so far spread - from Scotland to the West Midlands.
We have also been offered some of the strangest deals that we have ever come across. More often than not venues pay the company to perform. Occasionally, a small venue, who themselves are struggling financially, will offer a 70:30 box office split. Given that "Cold Light Singing" usually sells out, both ourselves and the venue are happy with this arrangement.
Imagine our delight then when a newly opened, high profile, arts centre in Lancashire approached us saying that they wanted to make a booking. This is the company's nearest venue and would draw a home crowd. We were excited to say the least, given the amount of media coverage that the venue has received, to be invited to be part of the opening season's programme.
Our delight soon turned to . . . no, not disappointment . . . disgust, when they offered us a 50:50 box office split after they had taken out the first £400 to cover their costs. The bulk of this amount was for their publicity and marketing. When pushed for a breakdown of this figure £200 of it was to send some emails and write a press release for the local paper and NO! . . . . They weren't producing a season brochure. It was up to us to produce any literature.
If it wasn't so insulting it would be funny. We have a company of 6 for this tour - if we sold out this venue with all tickets at full price, the venue would make £900 while the company would earn just under £400 - and don't forget, we'd have to pay for our own leaflets / posters out of that.
We turned their offer down. I am not naming the venue to spare their blushes.
Still, the tour booking goes on - all venues completely new to the company, so far, this time - very exciting. The cast will come together in September to begin rehearsals - we haven't all been together since last Autumn and rehearsals are always great fun - we've become like a little family now, rather than just workmates.
"Cold Light Singing" - possibly coming to a venue near you soon. WATCH THIS SPACE!
This year's tour will be a mini one. The company hadn't intended to tour this year but we were approached, out of the blue, by some venues and . . well . . . . we just couldn't resist!
Trying to bulk out the tour to make it financially viable has been an interesting task this year. Either dates offered by venues have been so spread out that we would be calling the cast together for a performance every two to three weeks. This is not an easy demand to satisfy, given that the cast's home locations are so far spread - from Scotland to the West Midlands.
We have also been offered some of the strangest deals that we have ever come across. More often than not venues pay the company to perform. Occasionally, a small venue, who themselves are struggling financially, will offer a 70:30 box office split. Given that "Cold Light Singing" usually sells out, both ourselves and the venue are happy with this arrangement.
Imagine our delight then when a newly opened, high profile, arts centre in Lancashire approached us saying that they wanted to make a booking. This is the company's nearest venue and would draw a home crowd. We were excited to say the least, given the amount of media coverage that the venue has received, to be invited to be part of the opening season's programme.
Our delight soon turned to . . . no, not disappointment . . . disgust, when they offered us a 50:50 box office split after they had taken out the first £400 to cover their costs. The bulk of this amount was for their publicity and marketing. When pushed for a breakdown of this figure £200 of it was to send some emails and write a press release for the local paper and NO! . . . . They weren't producing a season brochure. It was up to us to produce any literature.
If it wasn't so insulting it would be funny. We have a company of 6 for this tour - if we sold out this venue with all tickets at full price, the venue would make £900 while the company would earn just under £400 - and don't forget, we'd have to pay for our own leaflets / posters out of that.
We turned their offer down. I am not naming the venue to spare their blushes.
Still, the tour booking goes on - all venues completely new to the company, so far, this time - very exciting. The cast will come together in September to begin rehearsals - we haven't all been together since last Autumn and rehearsals are always great fun - we've become like a little family now, rather than just workmates.
"Cold Light Singing" - possibly coming to a venue near you soon. WATCH THIS SPACE!
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