It’s the end of term, the season of awards and accolades, and I’m glad to report that, in London and Cornwall, FINDING THE WILL has given and received both!
The 2018 FINDING THE WILL Rising Star Award
Firstly the FINDING THE WILL Rising Star Award 2018. This is the second year we have been invited to present an award named in our honour at the Annie Awards Ceremony at Anson Primary School, Cricklewood, London. What a joy and privilege it is to work with such talented eight and nine year olds, not to mention their enthusiastic, inspirational teachers. I was unable to be at the Awards Ceremony this year (due to Macbeth in Luton and my broken ankle) but happily Richard was there to do the honours instead. The recipient of the award this year gave a memorable performance as Romeo in the final tomb scene – a performance which, remembering he is only nine, would have given any Shakespearean actor a run for their money. Huge congratulations to Connor, a very worthy winner.
Bard Heads at Trebah Gardens, Cornwall.
Last Saturday we travelled to Cornwall to perform the last of two monodramas in the ‘Bard Heads’ collection – we’ve been performing at Trebah Gardens for three years now, and it is absolutely beautiful. Well just look at the back drop!
Trebah Gardens Back Drop
Each year we have increased the audience size, to the point where this year we were sold out. This is hugely gratifying for us and proves the point that you can create a following and grow audiences. We have received some lovely feedback from audience members too, some of whom were unfamiliar with our work. These then are some of our end of term ‘accolades’:
“Saw Bard Heads at Trebah on Saturday night and it was absolutely brilliant. Totally absorbing from beginning to end. I just wanted to say thank you very much and keep doing what you are doing.”
‘I am mailing to say how much we enjoyed the two performances at Trebah Gardens, Cornwall. Both were witty and insightful. The delivery of each was splendid. As a Shakespeare junkie thoroughly I would say it was five star stuff.’
“Wouldn’t have missed for anything. What a tour-de-force of work; the depth, research and downright fun was palpable. Lovin’ your work! X!X!”
We’re looking forward to returning next year with our new two-hander show ‘Naming The View’ – performing at Trebah really is the perfect end of term activity!
And whilst I’m on the subject of end of term, time to send (although it might be too late as some schools have already broken up I know) good wishes to all the children in Year 6 we have worked with throughout the 2017/18 academic year. Good luck for your onward journeys to Year 6 in Montagu Academy, Mexborough; St Botolph’s Primary, Peterborough; Castleview School, Slough; Lyon Park Primary, London; Great Leighs Primary, Essex; St Bartholomew’s Academy, Coventry; All Cannings Primary, Wiltshire; Sutton Veny Primary, Wiltshire; East Wichel Primary, Swindon; Holy Family Catholic Primary, Swindon; Heritage Park Primary, Peterborough; Collingbourne Primary, Wiltshire and Icknield Primary, Luton. May you all continue to grow in confidence and self-esteem. We are proud to have worked with you.
Before I sign off on this end of term bulletin, let me tell you a bit more exciting news for FTW. Over the summer holidays Richard is taking his critically acclaimed show ‘Call Me Oz’ to the King’s Head Theatre, London and then on to the Edmonton Fringe Festival, Canada. FINDING THE WILL is going transatlantic! Huge luck and love to you Richard – I know (and the audiences in Trebah know) that London and Canada are in for a treat. Laid up here at FTW HQ whilst my broken ankle recovers, I am feeling full of pride for my fellow actor, practitioner and dearest friend. Tales of accolades in London and Canada to come………….until then, Happy Summer Holidays to you all!
Richard Curnow as Osric in ‘Call Me Oz’
Call Me Oz
Richard Curnow as Oz in Call Me Oz
