If you were 462, how would you celebrate your birthday?
Birthday Thoughts
April 23rd 2026 is William Shakespeare’s 462nd birthday. January 8th 2027 is David Bowie’s 80th birthday. 10 years ago I wrote a blog (yes I really have been writing these for a decade) entitled ‘David Bowie – A Modern Day Shakespeare?’. You’ll see that it compares Bowie to Shakespeare in terms of the legacy he leaves behind. As Finding the Will approaches its 20th birthday in February 2027, I find myself wondering about what our legacy will be…….
Making a Difference
At the end of the day, I suppose all any of us wants to do really is make a difference. The image above is a beautiful card I received (along with many of Malvolio’s Recipes for Revenge) from St Michael’s Junior School, Chelmsford. If I, Richard, Nick, Fay, Ffion or Angie have made a difference to one child over the last 19 years, that would be humbling; 10 would be good; 20 would be excellent; 50 would be amazing; 100 would be extraordinary; 1000 would be a legacy. On average we work with around 2000 children and young people every year, so anything is possible, right?
“All children felt that their level of confidence grew as they challenged themselves first to learn their lines and then to start to interpret them using expression, volume and then add movement. They were able to exceed their own ideas of what they believed they could do.” Y4 Teacher, Montpelier Primary, Ealing
For our 20th birthday next year, I’d love to hear from teachers, pupils, parents and governors who have experienced the Finding the Will magic. If you remember our workshops, watched or performed in a Project Week final show at any point in the last 20 years, I’d be thrilled to hear from you and what you remember about the experience. So spread the word please!
What Now?
Long time readers and supporters of Finding the Will will know that we’d be nothing without Richard Curnow. After Covid, his move to beautiful Cornwall and the acquisition of Flash the theatre dog, he has – for the most part – stepped back from delivering workshops and Project Weeks, though he still writes for us. He and his partner, the equally talented Nick Bamford, now run What Now Productions. They produce, write, direct and often perform their own work, some of which has a nod to Shakespeare.
Earlier this month, Angie and I were delighted to join Richard in Cornwall for a rehearsed reading of his latest play – A Woman Moved. What a joy, to work on a cracking script with two of my closest friends. We also recorded it because we’re hopeful that it will become an audio play – so you never know, I might tease you with a short clip next month……no promises though.
“Thought provoking”
“Funny”
“Powerful”
“Clever”
“Brilliant”
Richard and I will be performing together again in July at the Alma Tavern, Bristol in Naming The View (another corker from the pen of Mr Curnow). Like the show above, this has strong echoes and ties to The Taming Of The Shrew – that problematic ‘comedy’ which keeps us all talking about coercive control, domestic and economic abuse. In true Curnow style though, there are some terrific laughs in it too! (And you don’t need to know anything about the original play).
“The depth of subtext and surface humour worked together brilliantly. You took us on a meaningful journey. Powerful performances – I was moved and I also laughed often. I’ll still be thinking about it tomorrow. Thank you!” Audience Feedback, Irving Studio, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Back to Birthday Celebrations
Given that on my birthday this year (November 7th) I will be a mere 399 years younger that Mr Shakespeare, it seems only right that I’ll be delivering a workshop on his last play THE TEMPEST. Nick and I will be in Bristol and Gloucester simultaneously delivering TEMPEST workshops for a fantastic charity called Heart Heroes. Much more on that nearer the time.
I guess the greatest birthday present – and the best way to celebrate your birthday – whether you’re 462, 80, 20 or 63, is to have people still talking about you because you made a difference. Well William Shakespeare and David Bowie have done it. Let’s hope Finding the Will (and me) can replicate that.
Happy Birthday Mr Shakespeare!
