It seems like we are living life on the edge right now in many respects. On the edge of working in schools again, on the edge of filming NAMING THE VIEW, on the edge of not catching flu or the dreaded coronavirus. There is so much to look forward to, if only the pandemic does not scupper all our plans once more. We are not alone in feeling like this I know.
On the Edge of working in primary schools
Our first visit to a new primary school foundation in North Yorkshire this week has been postponed due to you know what. However, undaunted, we are heading back to Grassington Primary School in mid November for a day of Interactive Workshops on Romeo & Juliet. I somehow feel the question “What is a Masked Ball?” might be a little redundant now we are so familiar with face coverings! This is a small rural primary school which is part of a foundation of schools, at least one of which will be coming to join us for the workshops. We are so looking forward to weaving a little FTW magic in the North Yorkshire countryside, pandemic permitting of course.
Before we head north however, I am paying return visits to schools in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Macbeth will be making an appearance (for the second time) at Uffington Primary, Oxfordshire and (for the fourth time) at Castleview School in Slough. I am very much looking forward to returning to these two lovely schools – it’s been a while but, at last, children can experience some Interactive, confidence-building fun again whilst also absorbing a cracking story! Again pandemic permitting – see what I mean about life on the edge?
NAMING THE VIEW filming in January
So, schools’ work aside (and I’m happy to say there’s much more of that in the New Year), we are also preparing to film the wonderful play NAMING THE VIEW, written by our very own Richard Curnow, who also stars alongside me! This has been a long time coming and is only possible because of the generosity of Arts Council England and support in kind from both Bournemouth and Falmouth Universities.
Assuming everything runs smoothly, there will be three Live Streaming Events in March and then the film will be available on demand throughout April. I will bring you more details of when, where and how you can watch the film as soon as I have them! We will be filming the actual performance in a television studio at Bournemouth University in mid January, giving students there the chance to work with professional actors and a professional director. The Post-production will take place at Falmouth University where the students will have hands on experience of working with professional deaf actors (who will be filmed signing the play) and our professional director Dr Nick Bamford. Coordinating the locations, the actors (both hearing and deaf), the audio describer, the partners who will host streaming events, the on demand platform and keeping everyone informed throughout as to what is going on and when, is proving to be a mammoth task! I’ve never considered myself to be a Barbara Broccoli and now I know I’m not!
“I mean what are they thinking?” Horton, Naming The View 
“I’m disappointed in you Kate” Pete,
Naming The View
“It’s wonderful, like being reborn” Kate,
Naming The View
“We’re all little specks of meaningless dust adrift in the universe.”
Kate and Horton – Naming The View
So performing this beautiful piece of emotional rollercoaster theatre should be the easy bit. But then there’s the small matter of Television Technique. I’m going to be stretched in every way possible in January – that really will be life on the edge and I can’t wait!
Much more on this and all the schools we visit in November next month! Till then, stay safe – WEAR YOUR MASKS IN CROWDED PLACES and stay away from the edge!
