So maybe you’re wondering where exactly are money raised will be going to! For the last 7 weeks, I (Emily) Have been working with Lancaster and District Homeless Action in partnership with The Dukes Theatre, to deliver theatre sessions to a growing number of the homeless clients. The first thing I have to say is; this group is life-changing. The developments, improvements and all round creativity I have witnessed during these sessions is beyond belief and is not only changing the lives of those involved, it’s changing mine to!
Basically, we started out with the hope that we could chat with and explore games with the clients. Within the first 3 sessions all expectations were raised and the group have now re-written and started to perform A Christmas Carol. Through re-writing it, the members of the group have been enabled to not only modernise but, more importantly, create a story that resonates with and reflects their own, often difficult, lives. To put things into perspective, there has recently been talk of developing the play over the next year in order to eventually tour the piece around prisons across the country. I believe that this group has the complete ability, passion and creativity to do this if given the chance. But this is where the problem lies. Funding is low at the homeless shelter. By raising money through our event, we will be able to contribute to the continuation of this amazing theatre project.
Whilst we have been re-writing the script, in such a short space of time I have had the absolute honour to witness the personal and emotional development of the clients, as they delve into their past lives, current lives and how things may be in the future. Learning of the complications they deal with on a day to day basis has been unbelievably touching.
Lets hope that in the future, we are able to visit the group as a professional touring company, creating inspiring theatre!
The group will be performing a rehearsed read-through of A Christmas Carol on 10th December, I’ll be back to tell you how it goes!
Emily 🙂
A Yorkshire lass in the Big Smoke 