| Colchester School 2006 |
 |
 |
 |
Colchester Souterrain Residency February 2006
I had so much fun; I met some amazing people, people who were funny, generous, open and responsive. I also learned a lot about myself, which has increased awareness in me both as a performer and as a creative member of a team. Yes and more. I actually had very little idea before the week what to expect, so had not real expectations. But it was all very exciting and educational ( in the best sense). I spent most of week outside my "comfort zone" which was not easy but thrilling nonetheless. And very much worthwhile. The week has produced a small community of artistic, like-minded people in Colchester. It is really fantastic to be part of this. I was hoping to meet new people, but I think everyone feels that the week exceeded this and we now have a really good group of people who work very well together and we intend to stay in contact. The week was extremely enjoyable and gave me a lot of new skills. It also allowed me to explore areas such as fire and shadow puppetry I’d never thought about before. The week gave me over and above what I had hoped to achieve; on top of meeting some great new people and experiencing ways of working I had never thought about before the week allowed me to look at things I am working on and want to work on in the future with a new set of skills, which means I can add so much to my ‘toolkit’ when approaching a piece of work . Yes I did – inspiration, the chance to work with Wildworks again, and the gentle descent of shoulders returning to their rightful position. I also gained confidence from the week and felt much more grounded by the end of it. Also wonderfully energized. Yes! I said at the beginning of the week that I wanted to meet new people, try new ways of creating theatre and art, and eat yummy food. All very succesful. What will you remember about the week? The smell of fire and paraffin, the milk powder, feeling the iris of my eye growing bigger, wanting more. Warmth, power, strength, togetherness, beauty, danger, fire has it all. …the shadow plays; that whole evening felt very creative, calm and beautiful and I was inspired by the simplicity and effectiveness of the plays. The SINGING SINGING SINGING!!! Thank you, Colin. Ordering food in the morning- it seemed that that small routine kept me steady in a week of no logic and absolute mayhem of emotions and feelings. I think Bill reading that list out gave that one small clutch to daily life which became a quirky little routine. There are so many things that I will remember. One thing that stands in my mind (and that I have told many people about when trying to describe the week) - is the ‘bus’ piece. I think it was such a simple idea, yet it worked! It was hilarious and I couldn’t stop laughing. I liked that they took a risk with the piece as it may have taken 15 mins for a bus to arrive… ..suddenly seeing Sue across the room, mirroring my 3 year old screwed up face furiously concentrating on numerical-notation-can’t-do-it? The first evening of music – performing the Brazilian piece (with those wonderful pauses) was so exciting. I will also never forget the ‘tribal’ eight part round or the salsa drumming – not being a musician myself, being able to be part of making such happy music for the first time was so exhilarating. The team spirit of such a diverse group of creative people. Hanging around a bus station late at night with a fire torch, a souped up lighter, and a bucket of paraffin! Performing and watching the final pieces in the snow People sitting on chairs in the bus station, then all leaving on the bus, one of them whilst playing the flute! |
Copyright © 2008 WILDWORKS. All Rights Reserved