# data[].attributes.body
Compere / Performer

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton

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Celebrating The Big Movement LIVE - The Big Movement by ZoieLogic

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Read about The Big Movement LIVE 2025, where Southampton’s Mayflower Studios became a vibrant hub of connection, inspiration and courage

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Artistic Team / Producer

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At Various, Southampton

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We are on a mission to get thousands of men dancing for men’s mental health

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Producer

By Josh Vaatstra

For Josh Vaatstra / Liam Gifford

At Proteus Creation Space, Basingstoke

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Performance Lab Performance Lab is our open-access, performing arts development programme. Each year we support 8 artists to try out new ideas or explore new directions in their practice. Whether you’re just starting out or pretty well established, Proteus is here to support you to take risks and grow as an artist. We work with…

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Performance Lab

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Co-Presenter / Producer

By Social Mobility Network

For University of Southampton

At Online

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Masculinity and Mental Health Special with Ben Hurst

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Listen to this episode from Class Ceiling on Spotify. In the first episode of Season 2 of The Class Ceiling, Liam Gifford and Melissa Allada sit down with advocate, activist, and public speaker Ben Hurst for an insightful conversation about supporting young men through the challenges of masculinity, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.

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Director / Performer / Producer and Writer

By Liam Gifford

For Liam Gifford

At The Plough Arts Centre @St Annes, Barnstaple,

October books, Southampton

Totnes Fringe Festival, Totnes

Department, Isle of Wight

The Stage Door, Southampton

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DEATH by PowerPoint 2025 Poster - With Text

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Shift Mindsets: Social Mobility Awareness Day Video

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Shift Mindsets: Social Mobility Awareness Day Video

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Co-Producer / Creative Team

By Social Mobility Network

For University of Southampton

At Southampton

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Shift Mindsets: Justine Greening on Social Mobility & Inclusion | University of Southampton

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Artistic Team / Producer

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At Various, Southampton

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We are on a mission to get thousands of men dancing for men’s mental health

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Producer

By Widening Participation and Social Mobility

For University of Southampton

At Turner Sims

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More than 100 primary schoolchildren from across Southampton city attended their very own 'graduation' at the University of Southampton this week.

Pupils from seven primary schools across the city visited the university's Turner Sims concert hall to receive their graduation certificates, having successfully completed university-organised literacy and numeracy programmes.

Student ambassadors from the university have worked with 123 children over 10 weeks, visiting their schools to deliver small sessions to support their maths and literacy. They have also worked with pupils in years 7 to 10 at Cantell School and year 7 pupils at St George Catholic College in Swaythling - a total of 115 secondary school children - supporting them with reading.

The aim of the programmes is to support additional education for children who need it most, to help reduce the attainment gap that has widened since the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Olivia Dabrowska, 11, is in year 6 at participating school Mansbridge Primary. She said: "It feels nice to graduate today, even though I am not old enough for a real graduation! My favourite part of the sessions was learning fractions."

Cody Kruger, 11, added: "I liked how we got to take turns to read - it boosted my confidence."

Pupils with their 'graduation' certificates

Alison Von Landau, Deputy Headteacher and English Lead at Mansbridge Primary School, said: "Through the programme, the children have become a lot more engaged in their reading and are really enjoying books. You can see their engagement shining through, which is fabulous."

Chantelle Veneroso, Widening Participation Coordinator at the university, who supports the coordination of the school programmes, said: "Our focus with primary schools is to support the children's transition to secondary school, and their lifelong learning beyond that. It's been wonderful to see the children's confidence grow in their maths and literacy, and fantastic to be able to offer them that extra bit of support."

Student ambassador Isobel Buck, 21, said: "I've always had a passion for helping young people, and it was really enjoyable to take part in this programme and see them grow in confidence. It was great experience because I would like to be a teacher."

The participating primary schools were:

Hope Community School, St Mary's

Kanes Hill Primary School, Thornhill

Mansbridge Primary School

Mason Moor Primary School, Millbrook

Moorlands Primary School, Midanbury

St Denys Primary School

St Mary's CE Primary School

The schoolchildren 'graduated' on Wednesday 19 June at an event that included a show by science presenter Ian B Dunne. Watch their graduation and hear from them in our video:

Image captions:

Top image: Year 6 pupils from Mansbridge Primary School celebrate their 'graduation'.
Back row L-R: Alison Von Landau (Deputy Headteacher and English Lead at Mansbridge Primary School), Chantelle Veneroso (Widening Participation Coordinator), Olivia Dabrowska, Isabella Chadwick, Lacie McEwan-Bergg, Liam Gifford (Widening Participation Project Leader), Sophie Ford (Widening Participation Project Leader). Front row L-R: Lily Foster, Cody Kruger, Millie Goldsworthy.

Second image: Year 6 pupils from Mansbridge Primary School with their 'graduation' certificates. L-R: Isabella Chadwick, Cody Kruger, Millie Goldsworthy, Lacie McEwan-Bergg, Olivia Dabrowska and Lily Foster (all aged 11)

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Director / Performer / Producer and Writer

By Liam Gifford

For Liam Gifford

At The Guildhall as part of Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple

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Compere

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At MAST Mayflower Studios

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👏🏻Thank you to all who came to watch ManMade Southampton last night at @mastmayflowerstudios with @forestforgetc! A huge well done to all our great performers, you were all absolutely incredible!...

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Co-Presenter

By Social Mobility Network

For University of Southampton

At Online

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A Conversation with Professor Damien Page

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Director / Editor / Producer / Videographer and Writer

By Liam Gifford

For Diverse Capacities (Southampton Institute for Arts & Humanities)

At In-Person and Online

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer

By Openbatch Theatre

For Openbatch Theatre

At Dartington Festival, Dartington; Fringe Theatrefest, Barnstaple; NEU/NOW Festival, Vilnius;

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Improv Performer

By UrboHandy

For UrboHandy

At Dartington Festival, Dartington;

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Performer

By Yair Vardi and Alison Grace

For Yair Vardi and Alison Grace

At Dartington Festival, Dartington

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Deviser / Performer

By UrboHandy

For One and Other, Antony Gormley

At Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square

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Improv Performer

By UrboHandy

For UrboHandy

At Concourse Festival, Dartington

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer

By Openbatch Theatre

For Openbatch Theatre

At BE Festival, Birmingham; Dartington Festival, Dartington; Fringe Theatrefest, Barnstaple

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer

By Openbatch Theatre

For Openbatch Theatre

At Arnolfini, Bristol; The Cube Microplex, Bristol; Dartington Festival, Dartington; Fringe Theatrefest, Barnstaple; Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol; The Ustinov at Theatre Royal Bath, Bath

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer

By Openbatch Theatre

For Openbatch Theatre

At Barbican Theatre, Plymouth and Exeter Phoenix (as part of Exeter Fringe)

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Co-Director / Writer

By Liam Gifford

For Bideford College

At Devon Hall

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Deviser / Performer

By Sam Gibbs and Liam Gifford

For Fringe TheatreFest

At Barnstaple High Street (site-specific)

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer

By Pete Burford, Joe Burford-Redgrove and Liam Gifford

For White Hippos

At Queens Theatre as part of Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer / Original Concept

By The Monday Collective

For The Monday Collective

At St Anne's Arts Centre as part of Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple

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Co-Director / Co-Producer / Deviser / Performer / Original Concept

By The Monday Collective

For The Monday Collective

At Lilico's and The Old Bus Station Cafe as part of Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple (site-specific)

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Co-Deviser / Original Concept

By The Monday Collective

For The Monday Collective

At Castle Mound as part of Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple (site-specific)

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Director

By by Yasmina Reza translated by Christopher Hampton

For Monmouth Comprehensive School

At Monmouth Drama Studio

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Director / Producer

By William Shakespeare

For Matravers School

At Matrarvers Amphitheatre

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Assistant Director

By Betty Comden and Adolph Green

For Matravers School

At Matrarvers Theatre

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Co-Director / Deviser / Performer

By The Monday Collective

For Bideford Bay Creatives

At River Torridge Riverbank (site-specific)

# data[].attributes.body
Director / Producer

By William Shakespeare

For Matravers School

At Matrarvers Amphitheatre

# data[].attributes.body
Director / Producer

By Simon Armitage

For Matravers School

At Matrarvers Theatre

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Director / Stage Manager

By Jose Fernandez

For Matravers School

At Matrarvers Theatre

# data[].attributes.body
Creative Practitioner

For Diverse Capacities (Southampton Institute for Arts & Humanities)

At The Solent Region

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Producer

By Widening Participation and Social Mobility

For University of Southampton

At John Hansard Gallery and Online

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The true stories of people who grew up in care are being brought to life in a new art exhibition in Southampton this month.

Portrait of Care, hosted in the city centre, celebrates those who have experience of being looked after or who have been estranged from families through their own photos and paintings.

The free exhibition, on Wednesday 15 November, is being held at the John Hansard Gallery located opposite Southampton's Guildhall Square.

Its curator Rosie Canning, a University of Southampton student, spent the first 16 years of her life in the care system and said she hopes it will tackle the negative connotations associated with being looked after.

She added: "Almost every care-experienced person comes into contact with discrimination at one point in their lives because of their background.

"By using portraits we hope to de-stigmatise the experience of care as a way to improve perceptions and general public awareness. You cannot tell a person's care experience from a photograph."

The one-day exhibition, which starts at 6pm on Wednesday 15 November, is suitable for people aged 16 and older.

Free tickets, which include refreshments, should be booked in advance from tinyurl.com/portrait-of-care.

The event has been created by student Rosie and the University of Southampton's widening participation team, which works to make higher education accessible to all including those who have experienced the care system.

Its access manager Emma Woozeer said: "Our aim is to help break down the stereotypes that people might hold, and to highlight the support we offer as an institution and civic partner.

"It brings a spotlight on those voices, giving a space to talk about the challenges people face, but also the sense of community among those with lived experience, and those who work in area."

The art displayed at Portrait of Care event has been made by young to middle-aged and older contributors to reflect the changing experiences of the care system.

It opens for just one day in November to promote the National Care Leavers and Estranged Students Solidarity awareness weeks taking place at the end of the month.

Student Rosie added: "I am hoping the inner pre-conceived stereotypes people may have about children in care will come to the fore when looking at the portraits and reading about the lives of people who take part.

"Possibly helping others to re-evaluate their own thoughts as well as get pleasure from seeing such an array of care experiences."

To book free tickets for the Portrait of Care event go to tinyurl.com/portrait-of-care.

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People who grew up in care retell their stories through art in Southampton

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The true stories of people who grew up in care are being brought to life in a new art exhibition in Southampton this month.

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Compere

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre with Fuzzy Logic, The Collective, Fuzzy Senses, Holyrood Performers, Round About Cafe, Solent Mind, REgeneration, Saints Foundation, ManGang, The Autism Reality Experience and We Are Hummingbird.

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At MAST Mayflower Studios

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Connecting people through the power of movement

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Artist / Co-Producer / Sound Editor

By Social Mobility Network

For University of Southampton

At John Hansard Gallery

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The Class Ceiling is a photography exhibition showcasing the working-class experiences of a range of students, staff and alumni of the University of Southampton.

Produced and curated by the University of Southampton's Social Mobility Network, it offers a glimpse into the lived experiences of its contributors, celebrating who they are and what they bring to the institution and our city.

The Social Mobility Network is a dedicated space for like-minded students and staff who self-define as having a low socioeconomic background. Members of the Social Mobility Network can inform and create cultural change that will benefit all students and staff at the University of Southampton.

The Class Ceiling exhibition is the Social Mobility Network's first presentation at John Hansard Gallery.

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The Class Ceiling - John Hansard Gallery

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The Class Ceiling is a photography exhibition showcasing the working-class experiences of a range of students, staff and alumni of the University of Southampton. Produced and curated by the University of Southampton's Social Mobility Network, it offers a glimpse into the lived experiences of its contributors, celebrating who they are and what they bring to the institution and our city.

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Assistant Director

By Lionel Blart and performed by Matravers School

For Matravers School

At Matravers Theatre

# data[].attributes.body
Director / Producer

By Matthew Bulgo and performed by Matravers Young Company with Matravers Endurance Dance Company

For Matravers School and National Theatre

At Matravers Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath

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Director / Co-Producer

By Linda Woolverton and performed by Matravers School

For Matravers School

At Matravers Theatre

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Director / Co-Producer

By Nuffield Youth Theatre Summer Project

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Studio

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Director / Producer

By Brad Birch and performed by Matravers Young Company

For Matravers School and National Theatre

At Matravers Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Producer / Director

By William Shakespeare adapted by Liam Gifford and performed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

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Co-Producer / Director

By George Orwell adapted by Matthew Dunster and performed by Nuffield Youth Theatre Summer Project

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

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Co-Producer

By Joe Plumb and Nuffield Youth Theatre Drama Club

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Director / Co-Producer

By by Ben Bailey Smith and Lajaune Lincoln performed & designed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Studio and Chichester Festival Theatre

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Director / Producer

By various scripts performed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

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Co-Producer / Director

By Finn Kennedy and performed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Studio

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Producer / Director

By Wiliam Shakespeare adapted by Liam Gifford and performed and designed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Studio

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Co-Director / Co-Producer

By Silva Semerciyan and performed and designed by Nuffield Youth Theatre

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

# data[].attributes.body
Co-Producer / Director

By Chris Bush and performed by Nuffield Youth Theatre: Redbridge Community College

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City Main House

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Co-Producer / Director

By Arthur Miller and performed Nuffield Youth Theatre Summer Project

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres

At NST City

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Co-Deviser / Director / Producer / Writer

By Liam Gifford with Dawn Hitchcock and Itchen College Performing Arts learners

For Nuffield Southampton Theatres with funding from Southampton Violence Reduction Unit (VRU)

At NST City Main House and schools tour

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Itchen Sixth Form College Performing Arts

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Presenter / Producer / Sound Designer and Editor

By Liam Gifford with Amy Bowden-Edge, Bill Buffery, Gill Nathanson, Helen Bovey, Mark Ashmore, Nathan Rodney-Jones, Rosa Bekkenkamp and Sam Gibbs,

For Fringe TheatreFest

At Online

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Listen to episodes and learn more about Fringe TheatreFest. Welcome to the Fringe TheatreFest podcast. Fringe TheatreFest is an annual event of small-scale theatre and performance taking place in Barnstaple, North Devon every June.This podcast has been created to bring together a variety of peo…

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Co-Deviser / Co-Producer / Director / Video Editor

By The Wardrobe Ensemble

For Horse Box Theatre Company

At Online

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Co-Deviser / Co-Producer / Director / Video Editor

By Starcast Ensemble (A Christmas Carol...of sorts...), Starcast Juniors (The Grinch) and Starcast Seniors (Peter Pan)

For Starcast Performing Arts Amesbury

At Online

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Starcast Performing Arts Schools is an Award Winning school providing exceptional part time theatre training for 4 - 18 year olds in Singing, Dancing and Acting. Our Schools are based in Salisbury, Amesbury and Fordingbridge.

Starcast is an all-inclusive friendly yet professional Performing Arts School which is suitable and welcome to all levels from beginners to advanced. We believe that whether your child pursues a career in the performance industry or not, Starcast sets a foundation of life skills that will stay with them for years to come.

We pride ourselves in offering inspirational, creative and fun classes. Regular School Holiday Workshops taught by Industry Professionals and performance opportunities including the magical land that is Disney World Paris. We can also support and guide our students who wish to apply for professional vocational college and university auditions.

Our school is constantly evolving but our principles stay the same.... respect, discipline, and kindness.

If you are looking for a dance school, drama class or singing lesson in Salisbury, Amesbury or Fordingbridge - then look no further - Starcast can offer you all three under one roof.

We are proud to now offer: NATD Musical Theatre Examinations, LAMDA and Trinity Guildhall Examinations.

Starcast was founded in 2009 in Salisbury by professional and international performer and dancer, Samantha Holloway.

Starcast has a very special place in my heart. My six year old has been attending for almost two years now and he absolutely LOVES coming to class each week! He has built up his confidence, not just as a performer but in general too

-Lizzi, Starcast Parent

I have been training at starcast for 8 years now. My favourite thing about starcast is the atmosphere and how enjoyable it is and how it can fix your mood after a boring day at school. If you're thinking about joining starcast but are too shy/ scared of making friends, you shouldn't be. Starcast is such a loving place to be and eveyone is a group and is a part of a family and will take you onboard. Starcast has boosted my confidence more than I ever could of imagined, I made new friends from different schools. I am 14 years old. Starcast is by far the best group I have ever been too and I'm so lucky to have such a loving family like the one at starcast. I am so thankful for everything they have done for me and can't wait for many more years of shows and exams x

-Millie, Age 14 - Starcast Student

Not only do I feel as though I've learned so many skills and techniques that I use in my practices today at university but I also feel as though Starcast has helped me to become a better person.

-Senan, Age 19 - Starcast Graduate

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Learn to Act with our Starcast Drama Classes. Be trained to Sing in. Teach Dance in Salisbury.

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Co-Deviser / Director / Producer / Technical Supervisor and Operator

By Mayflower Youth Theatre (A Christmas Carol..ish, NYE 2021, Peter Pan and The Changing Room) and Mayflower Young Company (Untitled)

For Mayflower Theatre

At Online

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We are committed to offering young people opportunities to develop their creative talents and skills.

Involvement in the arts can be life changing both for those who love to join in as a hobby and those planning to pursue a creative career.

YOUTH THEATRE

Mayflower Junior Youth Theatre

These exciting Saturday morning sessions will inspire children aged 7-11 with the world of drama and theatre. Participants will expand their imagination by exploring characters, stories, script work, props and drama performance, all while making new friends in a fun and positive environment.

Mayflower Youth Theatre

We are thrilled to be running these drama sessions for young people aged 11-18 years with a passion for theatre-making.

Mayflower Young Company

For young adults aged 19-25 years, this exciting opportunity aims to nurture and empower aspiring actors and theatre makers, developing their voice and creative theatre practice.

YOUTH ARTS

Mayflower Young Writers

If you would like to work with professional writers, as part of the SO:Write literature development initiative, ArtfulScribe and Mayflower Theatre are inviting young people to get involved with a free exciting creative project that will help develop skills, confidence, and experience a writer's life. Suitable for young people aged 11-14 years.

Crow's Nest Creative Writers

Do you like writing? Would you like to work with a professional writer and find out more about different genres and techniques?

ArtfulScribe and Mayflower Engage are inviting young people to get involved with a regular creative writing group that will help develop skills, confidence and experience of a writer's life. For academic years 10-13.

Mayflower & City-Eye Young Filmmakers

If you would like to create film and media projects then join us as we work in collaboration with the professional film & digital company, City Eye.

We invite young people aged 12-18 years to get involved with an exciting ongoing group that will help develop technical skills, confidence, and experience of a filmmaker's life.

MAYFLOWER STUDENT NIGHTS

TICKETS FOR A TENNER

AUDITORIUM APPEAL

We will be undertaking a refurbishment of our Grade II listed auditorium in summer 2018. Please consider a donation to our auditorium appeal. Your help is essential in securing our future.

Register an account

Register an account with Mayflower Theatre to buy tickets and memberships online, keep up to date with regular updates and announcements!

Not registered yet? Sign Up Here ›

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Opportunities for young people to develop their creative talents and skills. Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre, Summer Youth Project, Youth Membership.

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Dramaturg / Mentor / Sound Design & Editing

By Nicola Alina Nnkiru Ezekude

For Journeys of the Othered project

At Turner Sims and online

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published on

Nicola Alina Nnkiru Ezekude is an atypical poet and student with a passion for entertainment and storytelling. The project 'Journeys of the Othered' has uncovered an unprecedented creativity and marks her official artistic debut. Heavily inspired by Korean popular music, Japanese animation and British landscapes, Nicola has crafted experiences from her upbringing to present 'The Perfect Blues'. In 2021, Nicola explored purpose through working with children and young people, discovering the significance of community aged 22. It was at this time that mentorship was revealed to be her calling. With her second year of studying at the University of Southampton coming to a close, Nicola has at last unlocked insight into her true character, culture, and faith. She looks forward to expressing this through prose for the foreseeable future. 'The Perfect Blues' answers the following question - What would I tell my past self about my experience at university? It is a living collection of somewhat abstract and entirely heartfelt poems that she hopes will encourage movement in and a deep love for others. With thanks to her family for raising her and her friends for their immeasurable encouragement. Dedicated to all born with unusual vigour.

Genre

Storytelling

Contains tracks

License: all-rights-reserved

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Nicola Alina Nnkiru Ezekude is an atypical poet and student with a passion for entertainment and storytelling. The project 'Journeys of the Othered' has uncovered an unprecedented creativity and marks her official artistic debut. Heavily inspired by Korean popular music, Japanese animation and British landscapes, Nicola has crafted experiences from her upbringing to present 'The Perfect Blues'.

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Producer / Workshop Facilitator

By Liam Gifford

For Play to the Crowd

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Last week we were delighted to welcome a great number of young people to Theatre Royal Winchester to join in with our Playmakers 'Let's Explore...' series of workshops. Exploring a whole range of theatre making skills including sound design, writing plays, designing set and costume, acting, working outdoors, directing and devising new plays.

Singer-songwriter, Louise Jordan, led a sound design session which gave young people the chance to write their own music for the stage. Anna Harriott, Creative Director of Tall Tree Theatre, ran writing sessions where those aged 10-25 worked on their own original playscripts. Play to the Crowd professionals also led sessions, with our Young People's Producer, Liam Gifford, and Engagement Producer, Kat Henderson, running workshops on performing, and set and costume design. Hat Fair and Playmakers Director, Andrew Loretto, worked with young people on outdoor performance, introducing them to site-specific work.

Liam Gifford says, "It was a real joy to spend the week leading, assisting and observing this whole range of workshops, being able to witness first hand how our Playmakers offer encourages our participants to engage their imagination, to work proactively with others as a team and to explore with us how to make their own theatre work."

After the success of this week, we can't wait to launch our new Playmakers Youth Theatre offer for 7-25 year olds in the Autumn as well as bringing back a new series of 'Let's Explore...' workshops for the October half-term.

Photos from our 'Creating Plays' and 'Set and Costume Design' workshops

Photos by Luke MacGregor

I would like to thank all the young people and their families for choosing us and can't wait to work with them all again in the future!

- Liam Gifford, Young People's Producer, Play to the Crowd

Photos from our 'Playscripts' and 'Writing Plays' workshops

Photos by Matt Honey

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Playmakers celebrates successful week-long workshops for young people!

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Co-Director / Producer / Video Editor

By Fran Morley, Liam Gifford, Max Lindsay and Tim Ford

For Everyone who ever connected with Nuffield Youth Theatre

At Online

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Expectations, Expectations, Expectations (a response piece)

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Expectations, Expectations, Expectations (a response piece)

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Co-Deviser / Director / Video Editor

By Andrew Butcher, DeeJay Lane, Fleur Moore, Liam Gifford and Olly Fry

For Horse Box Theatre Company

At Online

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Artist / Co-Producer / Video Editor

By Andrew Loretto, Richard Hurford and Sharon Richards

For Play to the Crowd

At Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Imagine Winchester is:

a place where anything is possible.

a place where life is kinder, fairer, more creative for everyone.

the best place it can be and then imagine it's even better.

Welcome to Wintopia!

Wintopia is an exciting new arts adventure.

Create and develop an interactive imaginary version of real-life Winchester inspired by art and communal creative thinking.

Throughout Feb-May 2021, Winchester residents and artists will found and build their own local Utopia through a range of arts projects combining role-play, story-telling, theatre, music, writing, design, movement, arty food, digital platforms and social media.

It's going to be fun, it's going to be playful, it's going to be seriously game-changing.

Wintopia community notice board

Where is Wintopia?

Wintopia will exist simultaneously online and in the real world.

It's a universe begun in lockdown, but with our sights hopefully set on bursting into life in the real world of the outdoor arts as soon as we can.

Who is Wintopia for?

If you live in, work in, come from or have any fond connections to Winchester and the district.

If you enjoy the performing and visual arts, story-telling, universe-building, role-play, social media, gaming, playing with your food, exploring how art can transform the ways we live together for the better or just the fun of creating something wonderful out of thin air and good ideas.

If you're older, younger or just not sure.

Wintopia is for you.

When is Wintopia?

Stage one of Wintopia is now under way.

But you can still be part of our online sharing event, the 1st Wintopian Council of Extraordinary Kindness on 26 May 2021, 8pm.

There you will discover the creative kindnesses of Wintopia, meet the Citizen-Artists and take part in lots of playful Wintopia activities.

You may well be inspired to become a Citizen-Artist of Wintopia yourself in the future!

Tickets are free but limited (advance booking required).

Wintopia is a Playmakers' project within the Ourtopia Universe, an original concept created by Richard Hurford, Sharon Richards & Andrew Loretto.

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An exciting new arts adventure, coming soon to your imagination.

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Performer

By Jess Rowlands

For The Nuffield Collective

At Online

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From The Inside We Fall Apart - Audio Play

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Co-Deviser / Director / Producer

By Playmakers Musical Youth Theatre and Playmakers Youth Theatre

For Hat Fair

At North Walls Recreation Ground

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Hat Fair 2021 took place last weekend at North Walls Recreation Ground in Winchester. Our covid secure festival was a huge success, entertaining audiences of all ages with circus, dance, magic, music, comedy, and more.

This year the three-day event, which took place from Friday 02 - Sunday 04 July, saw professional and local acts creating a spectacle for festival goers - with Puppets with Guts' giant red lips miming popular musical numbers to everyone's delight, Dizzy O'Dare wore a huge balloon on his head before getting inside it to dance around in; Eye Music Trust's aerial artist performed in a bubble the size of a house in Music of the Spheres; Tit for Tat juggled with books and fire as part of a book club themed show; while street theatre duo Jones and Barnard involved a hen party in one of their performances of Variety Spectacular, and featured escapism and Barnard juggling with machetes in a string vest and Union Jack boxer shorts while trying to drink a pint balanced on his head!

Walkabout acts mingled to get people in the festival mood - including Joy Magnet's stilted bouncing kangaroos, Roo'd, which towered over festival goers at the entrance gates; Pif Paf's whimsical food truck drew in a crowd for the performers to sing, play instruments, and raise endless toasts to audience members; Eye Music Trust's dancers and musicians performed inside large-scale bubbles, weaving in and out; while young children and adults alike were enchanted and followed the charming lady sat watering her flowers, and friend to bees and butterflies, in the world-renowned The Enchanted Flower Globe.

There were lessons to be learned with Etta Ermini Dance Theatre and Van Huynh Company dressed in brightly coloured, skimpy outfits, dancing and miming to popular songs, in a piece called Glam, which discussed gender and sexual politics; while a group of dancers' powerfully striking movements captivated audiences as they told the story of black people's lives during the Victorian era in B lack Victorians, choreographed by Artistic Director Jeanefer Jean-Charles who has worked on opening ceremonies for some of the world's biggest sporting events; and Liberate Dance's wheelchair performers stunned audiences with their dance piece, The Reckoning.

Hat Fair has been running for 47 years - apart from last summer when it was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic; and as a result of government regulations put in place during the pandemic - including the need for social distancing - for the first time the festival was ticketed to control audience numbers and held only at North Walls Recreation Ground for the three days of the festival. Hat Fair is famous for being free to attend and exploding on to, and taking over, the city streets and green spaces of Winchester for two of the three days. However, while the coronavirus meant we faced new challenges, the event went on without a hitch and even mild showers could not dampen spirits - with audiences desperate to enjoy themselves after over a year at home.

Lockdown was a theme for Lottie Clist who created and walked around with a life-sized puppet, octogenarian Dorothy, collecting stories from older festival goers about their experiences of lockdown and loneliness. Lottie won Playmakers' 2019 Top Hat competition, which sees past and present University of Winchester students perform at the festival to win mentoring from Hat Fair and Playmakers Director Andrew Loretto and devise and perform a piece at the following year's event. This year there were two winners - Michelle Dabenett's Welcome to My Wendy House about childhood, and DoDo Dramatics with Ancient Antics - Mock the Greek, with them dressed in a bizarre mix of togas and high vis jackets.

A piece called Strong Enough saw The Strong Lady perform circus skills and feats of strength, including lifting large piles of bricks over her head, to a powerful soundtrack of people's voices (including her own) telling stories of when they found strength in unexpected places. Following, and inspired by the show, audiences then went up to her to share their own experiences of when they themselves were mentally and emotionally strong.

Audiences flocked to the Music Stage too to support and enjoy local talented singers and musicians and Winchester's Blue Apple theatre company, which works with people with learning difficulties, sang and told the story of how extraordinary ordinary people (from chef to workman) are; while well-known performers from popular TV shows - Britain's Got Talent's Ben Hart - and Circus Maximus' Sam Goodburn - astonished fans with card tricks and making rice seemingly appear out of nowhere, and riding a unicycle across a tight rope while eating a jammy dodger (respectively); and swarms of children sat in wonder as they enjoyed festival veteran Juggling Jake's circus skills show and Out of Bounds Theatre's Beware of Pirates! sea shanties and goofing around.

Unlike at Wimbledon, the rain did not stop play for Fairly Famous Family whose comedic Anyone for Tennis? saw audience members competing against their own raging player, Maria Chestycough, who argued that every ball was in and Damae Dance's performances of IRMA-sister, saw two female dancers performing athletic movements independently and as a pair.

Despite or because of intermittent showers though, the unexpected and delightful finale on the Sunday evening was a double rainbow that appeared over the festival as young and old said goodbye - with many receiving a souvenir from the festival in the shape of a King Alf figure, knitted by local residents and further afield, as part of a knitting project launched at the start of lockdown last March.

Chief Executive of Play to the Crowd, Deryck Newland said: 'After the last 18 months we're thankful we were able to present the festival this weekend. The ticket income has gone some way to cover the additional costs of the Covid secure measures we put in place - from paying the 'hatters' a fee where in normal times they would have collected monies in a bucket after the show, to limiting to the audience numbers.'

Hat Fair and Playmakers Director Andrew Loretto, continues 'We are delighted with the feedback from audiences, artists and the team regarding this year's festival and the format and measures we put in place. We very much hope to return to a more familiar format next year, with Hat Fair taking place throughout the whole city, whilst taking forward some of the learnings from this year's event.'

All photos by Adrienne Photography

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Hat Fair returns with a Covid-safe and hugely entertaining festival.

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Stories From Home / Let Me Tell You About The Day I Felt Like This Was My Home

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Stories From Home / Let Me Tell You About The Day I Felt Like This Was My Home

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Director / Camera Operator / Video Editor / Writer

By Dr Aiysha Jahan and Liam Gifford with learners from Bevois Town Primary School, Bitterne CE Primary School, Bitterne Manor Primary School, Bitterne Park School and Sixth Form, Itchen Sixth Form College and St Johns Primary & Nursery School + Amelia Howell, Christian White, Natalie Shepherd, Phoebe Montague, Shakeela Miah and Zack Montague

For Univeristy of Southampon Public Engagement with Research unit (PERu)

At Southampton Arts & Humanities Festival and Online

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Compere

By ZoieLogic Dance Theatre with Artful Scribe, Fuzzy Logic, Headfunk Collective, Holyrood Performers, Round About Cafe, Solent Mind, REgeneration and We Are Hummingbird.

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At MAST Mayflower Studios

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Producer

By Anvil Arts (Musication Station), Blue Apple Theatre (Forgotten People, Forgotten Planet), Joel Stobbs (Originals), Parker Turner (Originals), Playmakers Youth Theatre with St John's Winchester (Superglue), Playmakers Young Company (Man's World: Number One) and The Grange Festival (Future Vision Films)

For Play to the Crowd and Hampshire Cultrual Education Partnership

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Playmakers took over Theatre Royal Winchester.

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Co-Director / Producer / Sound Design / Video Design

By Tim Crouch and performed and designed by Playmakers Youth Theatre with St John's Winchester

For Play to the Crowd and National Theatre

At Theatre Royal Winchester and MAST Mayflower Studios

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Playmakers - Check out these brilliant production photos...

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Check out these brilliant production photos of 'Superglue' by Tim Crouch, performed by our Playmakers National Theatre Connections group.

The show is to...

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Co-Deviser / Co-Director / Producer / Sound Design

By Playmakers Young Company

For Play to the Crowd

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Deviser / Dramaturg / Story Supervisor

By Critical Mass Dance Collective and Zoie Golding MBE

For Birmingham International Dance Festival 2022 and FABRIC

At Centenary Square, Birmingham

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SENSE by Critical Mass as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival 2022

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Producer

By Georgina Willis (How to Disappear), Harry Corrie (Certain Uncertainty), Holly Foskett (Hat Fair’s Resident Constipation Relief Expert) and Joel Stobbs (Originals)

For Hat Fair

At Parchment Street, Winchester (site-specific)

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This year's Hat Fair saw the return of Playmakers Top Hat competition - where past and present University of Winchester students perform for the chance to return the following year as an official act.

The competition took place on the Saturday on Parchment Street - with festival-goers and families and friends coming out to support and enjoy the shows.

The acts were:

Spoken word artist Harry Corrie with Certain Uncertainty - a collection of poetry inspired by lockdown, with the emotion of that time feeding into it.

Singer songwriter Joel Stobbs with Originals - a catalogue of songs about activism and political issues, performed on the acoustic guitar and in a style inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan.

Holly Foskett was Hat Fair's Resident Constipation Relief Expert - with Hat Fair asking audience members to 'say farewell to faecal frustration for we might know someone with a cure' (Holly)!

While Georgina Willis brought How to Disappear - an autobiographical, interactive Escape Room, with her asking festival-goers to join her in her world and explore disability and chronic illness.

And the winners were... (drum roll please)

Holly Foskett and Georgina Willis - who will now be added to the Hat Fair 2023 programme and receive mentoring from the Playmakers team to support the development of an existing or new show that they'll perform next year! Congratulations to them, we look forward to what they have in store!

While the runners up, Harry and Joel, will be added to the line-up for the Playmakers Local Talent Night later this year, in September. Well done guys!

The acts performed to the public and industry professionals Bill Palmer from Avanti Display, who performed Full Circle on the Sunday; and Fiona Curtis from Wiltshire Creative, responsible for Salisbury International Arts Festival.

Final note - if you're a soon-to-be, current or recent student of the university and have an idea for new work or a piece already created that you would like to develop and share at Hat Fair 2023, please contact playmakers@playtothecrowd.co.uk

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Find out who won this year's Top Hat competition at Hat Fair 2022.

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Community Co-Producer

By RARE Productions (Hairspray), British Youth Music Theatre (Terra Nova) and ZoieLogic Dance Theatre (The Doorman)

For Play to the Crowd

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Community performances at Theatre Royal Winchester.

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Producer / Workshop Facilitator

By Liam Gifford

For Playmakers

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Late last year Playmakers held a Work Experience Day for young people interested in working in the arts. Held at Theatre Royal Winchester, staff from Play to the Crowd - the charity responsible for our own community work, the theatre and Hat Fair - held workshops exploring performing, working backstage, marketing events, and encouraging others to get involved.

One of our team, who is also a professional artist, talked about making and touring her own shows, and asked her groups to come up with their own, creating a tour schedule and budget. In another session, attendees learnt how the Box Office ticketing systems work and how to market shows to audiences, before using the systems to sell tickets and creating their own campaigns. We talked about the community work that Playmakers do, across the city centre and district, and asked groups to come up with ideas for projects with the theme, 'Shout About It!'

The theatre's Front of House managers showed groups how to prepare the venue for performances and get it ready for an evening's event - with risk assessment scenarios to figure out too. The director of Hat Fair spoke about bringing performers from around the world to Winchester, and attendees were asked to design their own festival, considering budget and audience experience. Finally, the technical team demonstrated their lighting, sound and audio/visual skills to attendees who then worked with them to prepare the theatre's stage for the evening's performance.

Our Work Experience Day was held after young people expressed an interest in the charity's opportunities and how to get into the arts. After the workshops, members of the team talked about how they got into the industry - with many not getting there via traditional means (i.e. studying for a degree), and options like volunteering were suggested as other ways to get involved early on.

There are a number of ways to get involved with Playmakers, check out our Join In page to find out what we have coming up!

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We held a Work Experience Day for young people interested in working in the arts.

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Producer

By Amies & Clements and Playmakers Youth Musical Theatre

For Hat Fair

At North Walls Recreation Ground (site-specific)

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Playmakers - Check out Playmakers Youth Theatre, our...

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Check out Playmakers Youth Theatre, our Musical Theatre (sch yrs 8-11) group at Hat Fair 2022!

Writers Stephanie Jayne Amies and Teddy Clements worked...

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Community Co-Producer

By Theatre Témoin (FLOOD) and Jon Hicks (The Visionary)

For Hat Fair

At North Walls Recreation Ground, Winchester High Street and Winchester School of Art (site-specific)

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Playmakers Youth Theatre really came into its own for this year's Hat Fair with shows from members of all ages and with different performance skills.

They had spent months preparing for the festival with workshops with local creatives and experts in their field, devising story ideas, developing plays and, of course, rehearsing for the main event!

The Drama & Theatre School Years 4-7 group worked with writer and performer Jon Hicks to create their very own sections for his brand-new street theatre show, The Visionary - which sees a street speaker or prophet sow confusion and uncertainty into an audience.

Next, the Drama & Theatre School Years 8-11 group performed a football themed whodunnit - Footy Fatale: A Feminist Murder Mystery. Commissioned by Playmakers, this was a new play written by Anna Harriot, Creative Director of Salisbury's Tall Tree Theatre, whose show Lily & The Albatross was at Theatre Royal Winchester in late 2019. The show was developed with the group.

The Musical Theatre School Years 4-7 group worked with theatre writers Stephanie Jayne Amies and Teddy Clements on original songs and a modern adaptation of Edith Nesbit's Five Children & It. With the help of the group, local theatre maker Rebecca Bailey developed a new script for the piece, while choreography came from dance specialist Tegan Gailor.

Amies and Clements also worked with the Musical Theatre School Years 8 - 11 group on a newly devised musical theatre play called Take Me Away - about a much-loved pupil, Charlie, who sees how their family and friends respond when their family decides on a change. The group created the play, with the script by member Sophie Parr, and including songs from other well-known musicals.

The Young Company Ages 16-25 group worked on a play called Grey Area about waiting. Also commissioned by Playmakers, it was a new play by local performance writer Vicky Hancock and was developed with the group. Unfortunately, illness meant that the group could not perform at Hat Fair - but the piece will be presented at a Playmakers event, at a later date.

Lastly, pupils from South Wonston School worked with theatre company Theatre Témoin to produce recordings of them talking about the sea - to accompany the company's show, FLOOD, which they performed twice on the Saturday of Hat Fair. Festival-goers could listen to the pupils' stories as they were broadcast from umbrellas given to them to hold prior each performance.

Liam Gifford, Young People's Producer at Play to the Crowd, said: "From site-specific performances in shops, original musical theatre work at North Walls and being key partners in performances by outdoor arts professionals, our Playmakers Youth Theatre presented new work to large audiences and of an exceptional standard. I cannot think of a better way for us all to come together and celebrate the end of our Playmakers Youth Theatre year; a year in which we've embedded our new direction of creating work which participants are the main authors of. We now look forward to our new Playmakers Youth Theatre year kicking off in September when all groups will begin creating original shows for performances at Theatre Royal Winchester and Hat Fair 2023 - check out our dedicated Playmakers Youth Theatre page for more information and to register interest!"

A huge well done to our Youth Theatre members on their hard work and enthusiasm, and a big thank you to the creatives who helped to develop the pieces and support our young people. Congratulations everyone!

"Hat Fair is a celebration of and with our community, so it was a real delight to have been able to have all of our Playmakers Youth Theatre groups performing as part of the main programme this year."

Liam Gifford, Young People's Producer, Play to the Crowd

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Playmakers Youth Theatre perform at Hat Fair 2022.

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Co-Producer

By Social Mobility Network

For University of Southampton

At Highfield Campus

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You can sign up to as many or as few events as you would like, and we encourage you to share this with anyone you think may be interested. We are excited to welcome you to the University of Southampton for our extended celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day.

Community Connections
Wednesday 14th June, 17:30-19:30 at Below Deck, Building 42 (SUSU building)

Join us on 14th June for a relaxed social evening with members from the University of Southampton community, all of whom are passionate about progressing social mobility. We will have a conceptual dance performance from widening participation organisation ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. There will be free food and drink provided.

Top of the Class - Overcoming Class Barriers to Make Universities Better for Everyone
Thursday 15th June, 9:30-16:30 in B100, Highfield Campus

Join us on 15th June 2023 to proactively celebrate Social Mobility Awareness Day. This conference will spotlight authentic voices and provide the opportunity to challenge pre-existing assumptions. You will contribute to discussions about how social mobility can help institutions and how collaboration with different stakeholders, including students and staff, can help to ingrain widening participation at all levels. Celebrate this Social Mobility Awareness Day in a proactive way, with a lens to furthering the work we can all do in this space, and the overall social inclusivity of the sector. The conference will cover the current problem/topical landscape before looking forward- we will share research and discover where we can collectively go next to improve the issues discussed.

Confirmed speakers for the conference include:

Social Mobility Safe Listening Space (UoS students & staff only)
Friday 16th June, 11:00-12:00 on MS Teams

This is a confidential opportunity to share our stories and talk about the challenges faced by individuals because of socioeconomic class and upbringing. It will enable us to understand the common themes of both positive and negative experiences so that we can continue and build upon the work the university has been doing to create an inclusive University community.

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The University of Southampton's first Social Mobility Festival

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Co-Director / Producer / Sound Design

By Anna Harriott and Playmakers Youth Theatre

For Hat Fair

At Bespoke Biking (site-specific)

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Playmakers - So proud of our Drama and Theatre (School Yrs...

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So proud of our Drama and Theatre (School Yrs 8-11) group Hat Fair with Footy Fatale: A Feminist Murder Mystery. Big thanks to Bespoke Biking for hosting...

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Dramaturg / Story Supervisor

By Fuzzy Logic

For ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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About The Doorman...

Ten hopeful strangers, each with their own unique story to tell, arrive at a mysterious door. Here, The Doorman guards the gateway to the thing they want most, but the door will only open for those who prove worthy. As each wrestles with their own demons, fears and desires, the hopefuls try to discover the secret of the door...

Expect enigmatic characters and high energy dance theatre in this rollercoaster ride to redemption!

FuzzyLogic is a nationally renowned youth dance company whose work pushes the boundaries of contemporary male dance, creating a unique style that blends energetic contact work and exciting, engaging storytelling.

The evening will also feature a celebration of the coming of age of FuzzyLogic as a company, in what is their 22nd birthday year. Bonus activity to the main event includes a live Q&A with the dancers and Founder/Artistic Director Zoie Golding, and a short film screening of FuzzyLogic's innovative dance film Grab.

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FuzzyLogic's The Doorman. Ten hopeful strangers, each with their own unique story to tell...

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Deviser / Director / Sound Design / Video Operative & Editor / Writer

By Playmakers Youth Theatre

For Play to the Crowd and Tangle Theatre

At Online

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Last month our Youth Theatre's Drama & Theatre (sch yrs 8-11) and Young Company groups spent their sessions working on a response to Tangle Theatre... | By Playmakers | Facebook

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Last month our Youth Theatre's Drama & Theatre (sch yrs 8-11) and Young Company groups spent their sessions working on a response to Tangle Theatre...

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Co-Director /  Co-Producer

By Playmakers Youth Theatre

For Play to the Crowd

At Theatre Royal Winchester

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Our Youth Theatre Producer, Shian Hunter, said: 'All the performances were created by the young people with the help of our Playmakers team. All the work was their own words and original thoughts and they all should be very proud of themselves.'

Blue Apple's Special Assignments Company also performed a walkabout piece called Complimentary Colours, which saw them - dressed head to toe in one colour - pick someone wearing the same colour and pay them a compliment!

During the interval we enjoyed listening to music from the Twin Monsters on the keyboard.
A Youth Theatre parent, said: 'Firstly to say how fantastic I thought the performances were at the theatre on Friday night, from all the groups that performed. It was such a lovely evening - we all really enjoyed it. Thank you to you and all the team for all your hard work organising it. My daughter, despite some serious nerves beforehand, also really enjoyed it. It is a really big milestone for us to see her up on such a big stage, speaking so clearly - she has verbal dyspraxia and still has speech therapy, so speaking like that is a really big deal for her, and we were very proud. Thank you and the team for all the encouragement you've given her.'

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Playmakers Youth Takeover returns for a second year!

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Deviser / Dramaturg / Story Supervisor / Voice Actor

By Critical Mass Dance Collective and ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

For Birmingham Festival 2023 and FABRIC

At Centenary Square, Birmingham

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About Solara // Critical Mass Dance Collective - FABRIC

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Presented as part of EveryBody Dancing at Festival 23 Solara is no ordinary star. She not only brings life, strength and protection to the communities who look up to her, …