Women & Theatre announce new Artistic Programme for 2009/10

Women & Theatre step into Spring with the announcement of our new Artistic Programme for 2009/2010.  Follow the links to find out more about each project, or download our information sheets  below. If you would like to discuss how each project could work for you, please do get in touch with us.

Scoffing: Available for touring in Summer 2009
Theme: Obesity – causes and diagnosis
Target audience: Weight management professionals, GPs, those diagnosed as clinically obese
Powerful and moving, Scoffing is a one-woman show full of music and images which resonates with people of all ages, shapes and sizes about eating, body image and self-confidence, exploring the complex factors which affect obesity and weight management.

We are holding a sharing of Scoffing on Wednesday 13th May 2009 at 3pm at The Friends Institute, Highgate. Please let us know if you would like to attend

Step by Step with May & June: Available for touring 29th June – 10th July 2009
Theme: Healthy Eating and Healthy Lifestyles
Target Audience: General community, Schools (Year 6, Secondary & parents’ groups)
Larger than life characters May & June tackle healthy eating in this interactive performance.  A great way to get people thinking and talking about the big question: why don’t we eat healthily when we know we should?

Bare Drama: Available for touring in Autumn 2009
Theme: Gang Prevention
Target Audience: Schools (Years 7 and 8 )
An exciting new play about how gangs form and gang prevention.   The programme encompasses a play and workshop where pupils have the chance to engage in-depth with the issues raised.

The Learning Curve: Available for touring in October 2009
Theme: Breast Health and Breast Awareness
Target Audience: Community Health Promotion, Health Professionals’ Training, Schools (Year 9 and up, Colleges)
This audience favourite is back for Breast Awareness Month 2009.  Covering a range of issues from body image to breastfeeding and screening, the play is ideal for health awareness and promotion.

If you have a burning issue you think we could help with, we are also available for new commissions and projects.  Each year we work with a range of partners to produce new pieces of theatre about issues that are important to them; recent partners include Leicester YMCA, Action for Inclusion, Scope, RoC Drama, Walsall tPCT, and Walsall Community Arts.

Downloads:
Health & Community Programme for 0910
Education Programme for 0910

Posted: May 7, 2009 in Announcements, news
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Women & Theatre Taking Shop on Women & War – 7th March 2009

“Women’s lives and their bodies have been the unacknowledged casualties of war for too long”  Amnesty International, Lives Blown Apart
Women and War

Women & Theatre Talking Shop
International Women’s Day, 7th March 10.30 -3.00

What is the relationship between Women and War?
What would you fight for?
How do we overcome the trauma of being involved in warfare both for ourselves and our children?
What part can women play in bringing peace?
Come and talk –together we can make a difference.

Women & Theatre are marking International Women’s Day 2009 by opening our doors and inviting women to come and talk with us about Women and War.  We are interested in looking as broadly as possible at the topic including domestic violence, and rape as well as the role of women in warfare  as victims, peacekeepers and soldiers.

Our “Talking Shop “ day will consist of listening to guest speakers and  monologues, looking at photographs and articles and discussion in small and large groups.

Join us at Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 0DG on 7th March 10.30 -3.00.
Free event but please bring some food to share for lunch.  Please note that this is a women only event.
RSVP to 0121 440 4203 or info@womenandtheatre.co.uk

Posted: February 16, 2009 in Announcements, news
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Stronger on tour and available for booking in March 2009

‘Very well written – very well researched. I related to it so well it could have been my story!”
Stronger explores the experiences of families of children with additional needs, highlighting some of the pressures and joys that families with a disabled child can experience and what strengthens them.  The play is accompanied by a facilitated post show discussion, allowing audiences to engage with the issues raised and receive more information. Stronger was commissioned by Scope to support its Strengthening Families initiative and was developed through research with the help of family members and Scope staff.

The programme is suitable for parents’ groups and relevant professionals.   Stronger is touring in London & Middlesex in February 2009 and is available for further bookings in March.  To find out more or discuss a booking, please contact us.

Posted: February 5, 2009 in Announcements, news
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May and June are Bilingual!

Intrepid duo May and June continue their sterling work getting to the bottom of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles in Walsall.  Their latest venture is a DVD, commissioned by Walsall Creative Development Team, sharing the key messages of their healthy eating play, Step by Step with May & June.  The DVD will be used as a training tool and distributed to GPs surgeries and community venues, bringing a bit of entertainment with a clear healthy messages to waiting rooms across Walsall!

The DVD also has a bilingual language track, with the option to listen to the dialogue in English or Hindi.  May & June proudly continue Women & Theatre’s tradition of crossing language barriers to reach a variety of communities.  Over the years we’ve created bilingual theatre with South Asian languages (Chale Ga, Chale Ga, Dil Ke Baat), sign language (All of Us, Woman First), and even an entirely non-verbal play, Un-Kahi (Unspoken), which reached diverse audiences regardless of spoken language.  Women & Theatre also regularly work with community interpreters and signers to support performances, discussions and research.

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The Cervical Monologues on Tour in Sandwell

Cervical Monologues is one of our most popular plays, an engaging collection of monologues exploring life, love, sex and the cervical screening process.  Since its premiere in 2005, Cervical Monologues has been updated with new monologues to reflect women’s experience even more widely.  Now Birmingham’s answer to The Vagina Monologues is back for a two week tour of Sure Starts in Sandwell, thanks to Sandwell PCT.  Selected dates of the tour are open to the public, so if you’d like to catch the ladies in action, you can come along to:

Friday 30th January, 1pm  at Hillside Childrens Centre
Tuesday 3rd February,  6pm at Priory Family Centre
Thursday 5th February, 1.30pm at Galton Valley Children’s Centre
Friday 6th February, 1.30pm at Greenacre Children’s Centre (Brandhall Primary School)

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Reviews of The Bad One

After a triumphant opening at the Birmingham Rep with four sell-out shows and lovely warm responses, The Bad One is off on tour. For your chance to catch one of the remaining performances check out the tour schedule. We’ve had some great reviews so far, here’s the pick:

” Something of a gothic tour-de-force” ***

“With Connolly`s inimitable stage prescence complemented by  good performances from Susie Riddell, Laurence Saunders and Heather Pilkington, and neat staging under Terina Talbot`s direction, it should be a good ambassador for Birmingham theatre “

Terry Grimley, Birmingham Post 27 sept 2008

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“The Bad One will have your brain ticking long after the paid performance; a sure sign that this production has real legs “.     ****

Star Bendick  – What’s on Stage Midlands  Sept 28 2008

Check out the full review here

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Are  we sitting comfortably ?

“Pants and naked bottoms have their place but I felt a little short changed by having my expectations raised by some delightful and witty humour in the first few minutes, to be disapointed as it slipped all too easily to excessive coarse humaour.

The rest of the audience, on the other hand , only roared louder and louder with each successive joke “

 Ben Whitehouse
ReviewsGate.com
Posted by Rod Dungate, Sept 29th 2008

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Two Sides To The Story

“This may be a piece of mysterious whimsy, but it is rooted in the real world , with plenty of insight into how the two sides of the brain work together and the nature of duality ”

David Baldwin, Previewing the show in Metro Life  Sept 25th 2008
www.metro.co.uk

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Dark and sinister and deliciously funny

“A glorious resolution which is both moving and symbolic in equal measure”

“This is a play with a serious edge packaged with great humour and panache… Like a strong cup of tea with five sugars, The Bad One goes down a treat!”

Nice review there from Kevin Quarmby Take a look at the full review on his website. The question is, is Laurence really that sleazy? We’re not so sure!
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Posted: October 10, 2008 in Announcements, news
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Gang Culture Project with Leicester Y Theatre

Women & Theatre have been commissioned by Leicester Y Theatre to produce Bare Drama, a new piece of theatre exploring gang culture and gang prevention. The piece explores the reasons why young people become involved in gangs, and the consequences, including criminal activity, that may follow. Writer and Director Michael Aduwali researched extensively amongst young people in Leicester to create a lively script that rings true with real life experiences.

Bare Drama will tour to schools and youth centres in Leicester in November. Aimed as a preventative tool, the piece encourages young people to look at the consequences of their actions and make informed choices. Director, Michael Aduwali, commented, “This is exciting co-production with the Y that promises to be an energetic and moving piece will make young people think and hopefully affect change.”

We are keen to explore opportunities for this piece to be performed in other areas where this issue is a concern, and if you are interested in the project please do contact us.

Posted: October 6, 2008 in Announcements, Uncategorized, news
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A word from Janice on The Bad One and being 25

Hiya everyone!

I have just returned from Edinburgh where I have been performing in Office Party (Underbelly & Assembly productions) which started life at The Barbican last Christmas. The production was a great Festival success getting several 5 star reviews and interest from Chicago, Montreal, New York to name but a few! I have ended up with some kind of upper respiratory infection akin to kennel cough – anyone who has done a whole month of the Edinburgh festival will know what I mean!

It’s great to return to the bosom of W&T and we are all raring to go with The Bad One. We have worked really hard in developing the script and, in our 25th year, it feels right to be working on what promises to be a land mark company production. Can I also thank everyone who supported the Comedy Fun(d) raiser at The Glee Club. It was a great big resounding success helping to raise money for the company whilst being a brilliant night for all. With the company turning its sights to International work with Women and War, I see no reason why the next quarter of a century should not find our business cards saying ‘Women & Theatre, Birmingham, Europe, The World, The Universe’ (knocks spots off Chicago, Montreal & New York!).

Love Janice x

Posted: September 13, 2008 in Announcements, news
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W&T’s first Summer School

This Summer, W&T launched our first Summer School for young people from across Birmingham. Director Mike Aduwali and Lead Artist Jill Norman worked with a group including looked after young people from Rights of Child Drama Group to devise a piece inspired by TV favourite CSI Miami. Participants are now working towards attaining a Bronze (and in some instances Silver) Arts Award. Jill said “everyone worked really hard and achieved a lot in a short space of time, including a brilliant performance!” Thank you to Birmingham City Council Arts Team for their support.

We plan to hold a Summer School every year with themes linking into our main artistic programme, if you’re interester in finding out more please do get in touch.

Posted: September 3, 2008 in Announcements, news
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The Bad One – Autumn Tour Dates Announced!

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Don’t miss your chance to see Women & Theatre on tour this Autumn with The Bad One, a darkly humorous fairytale inspired by Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Written by and starring Janice Connolly (Edinburgh hit comedian Mrs Barbara Nice, Holy Mary in Channel 4’s Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights), and featuring Susie Riddell (Oddsocks), Heather Pilkington (Lick & Chew) and Laurence Saunders (Vivienne Vile).

Thurs 25th – Sat 27th Sept at 7.45pm (matinee on 27th at 2.45pm)
The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EP
0121 236 4455 or book online

Tues 30th Sept at 7.30pm
Layard Theatre , Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD
01202 847 525

Wed 1st Oct at 7.30pm
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
01484 430 528 or book online

Thurs 2nd Oct at 7.30pm
The Capitol Studio, North St, Horsham, W Sussex RH12 1RG
01403 750 220 or book online

Wed 8th Oct at 7.30pm
Arena Theatre, Wulfruna St, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE
01902 321 321

Sat 11th Oct at 7.30pm
Brewery Arts Centre, Highate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4HE
01539 725 133

Thurs 16th Oct at 7.30pm
Maltings Arts Centre, The Maltings, St Albans, Herts AL1 3HL
01727 844 222

Wed 22nd Oct at 7.30pm
Norden Farm Arts Centre, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF
01628 788 997 or book online

Fri 24th Oct at 7.30pm
Rotherham Arts Centre, Walker Place, Rotherham, S Yorks S65 1JH
01709 823 621

Wed 29th Oct- Fri 31st Oct at 7.30pm
TARA Studio, 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES
020 8333 4457 or book online

6th Nov at 8pm
The Rondo Theatre, St Saviours Rd, Larkhill, Bath BA1 6RT
01225 463 362 or book online

7th Nov at 8pm
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ
0870 787 5790 or book online

Sat 8th Nov at 7.30pm
Helmsley Arts Centre, The Old Meeting House, Helmsley, York YO62 5DW
01439 771 700 or book online

This year’s tour has been made possible with the kind support of Arts Council, England, REALiSE, Sir Barry Jackson Trust, The Grimmitt Trust, The Rowlands Trust and The Bryant Trust.

Posted: August 22, 2008 in Announcements, Theatre, news
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