Month: November 2013

A three-year University of Ulster research study into the activities of older (50+) people who volunteer for charity work has found that volunteering has positive impacts on both mental and physical health.

Commissioned by Volunteer Now and funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, the large-scale study was conducted by Dr John Mallett and Professor Maurice Stringer, academics in Ulster’s Psychology Research Institute. This involved a collaborative partnership approach with Volunteer Now whose staff (Denise Hayward, Christine Irvine and Billy Eagleson) managed the data collection process.

The study followed 344 volunteers located within 109 organisations across Northern Ireland over a three-year period.  It provides an up-to-date picture of the volunteering and health patterns among the 50+ age group and determines how their volunteering experiences relate to their self-reported health and quality of life.

The study also looked at recruitment, motivations for volunteering and satisfaction with volunteering. To support and complement the quantitative study, Dr Anne Tracey facilitated three focus groups and seven one-to-one interviews with volunteers.

The results of the study suggest that for older people the maintenance of health and the prevention of decline associated with retirement and ageing is highly valued.  Over the three-year period, participants displayed modest improvements in physical health and stability in their mental health scores.

Volunteers were involved in a wide variety of activities, the most popular being organising or running events (38%); giving advice (31%); befriending or mentoring (30%); and raising money or handling money (29%). The reasons given for volunteering suggest that older volunteers have time to devote to volunteering, skills to offer and the motivation to become involved in activities which benefit their communities.

An important finding was that volunteers, while being motivated  to ‘improve things’, reported their role as being self-enhancing and satisfying as they were able to use their skills to help others and to learn new skills.  Volunteers felt that organisational support practices were very beneficial in ensuring they were suitably placed and reported that their volunteering activities were appreciated by their organisations.

The study was launched at Stormont by Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell MLA and Jennifer McCann MLA.

Professor Stringer, Director of the Psychology Research Institute, said: “The partnership approach with the Volunteer Now team contributed strongly to the success of this large scale study.

“The findings suggest that older volunteers contribute substantially to community life throughout Northern Ireland using their skills and expertise to benefit others.  The study found there were clear benefits for older volunteers in terms of maintaining physical and mental health through engaging and helping people in their communities.”

The full report outlining the findings of the study can be found at:http://www.science.ulster.ac.uk/psyri/sites/psyri/IMG/pdf/FormalVolunteeringhealth.pdf

Caption: Dr John Mallett, Psychology Research Institute;  Dr Anne Tracey, Psychology Research Institute; Billy Eagleson, manager, Unlocking Potential Project, Volunteer Now;  Wendy Osborne OBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now; and Professor Maurice Stringer, Director, Psychology Research Institute

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (November 11 – 17).

• Belfast Music Week, various locations in Belfast, November 11 – 17.  A celebration of home-grown musical talent with more than 250 events running in the city.  From intimate venues to the grandeur of the Ulster Hall, this year’s programme includes classical, dance, folk, rock and acoustic performances.

• Literary Lunchtimes, Ulster Hall, Belfast, November 13.  Belfast’s Carolyn Healy, Sheila McWade and Sheila Llewellyn read from their short story collections.  Anticipate an eclectic array of challenging, thought provoking and entertaining stories in the company of three of Belfast’s most exciting up-and-coming prose writers.

• C.S. Lewis and His World, Ards Art Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, November 13.  Belfast born writer C.S. Lewis is perhaps best known for his series of novels which follow the adventures of children in a land called Narnia.  Sandy Smith is an expert on C.S. Lewis and his life in Belfast and will recall his time growing up in the city and the places and experiences which influenced his books on Narnia and other subjects.

• William Kennedy Piping Festival, Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, November 14.  This festival celebrates the worldwide community of piping and has hosted piping traditions from all over the globe.  It is now recognised as the premier International Piping Festival in the world.

• An Evening of Comedy with Kevin McAleer, The O’Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, November 14.  One of the founding fathers of modern stand-up, he has influenced a whole generation of comedians in Ireland and the UK, and his live shows remain a master class in comic timing and delivery.

• Belfast Creative Crafts Show, King’s Hall Complex, Belfast, November 1 4 – 16.  Whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast treat yourself to a day out at Belfast’s premier crafting event.  This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on all aspects of craft supplies and to find out all about stitching and crafting.

• Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Queen’s Hall, Newtownards, Co. Down, November 15.  Hailed as the ‘soul of Belfast’, Belfast Community Gospel Choir will be performing at this year’s annual choral evening.  The performance will be charged with passion and energy and audiences will be blown away by the sheer joy exuded from the stage.
• Hugo Duncan’s Country 1^st Show, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, November 16.  BBC Radio Ulster’s Hugo Duncan is bringing his ever popular Country 1^st Show back for a night of country music, fun and craic.

• Rock Metal Fest, various locations, City of Derry, November 16.  Rock Metal Fest will showcase the best of the city’s talent alongside national and international acts, in an event that will not only appeal to the rockers but also will inspire a new generation of rock/metal fans and musicians.   

• Town Market, Ballycastle Ferry Terminal, Co. Antrim, November 17.  Browse the stalls and purchase items at this town market which has a wide variety of items on offer including handmade crafts, jewellery, photography, home products, face painting and foods.

Down

The Award Winning St.Patrick’s Choral Society return to the beautiful surroundings of The Great Hall auditorium of Downshire Estate 6th to 9th November with their production of the family classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’! With songs including Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Merry Old Land of Oz and of course Somewhere over the Rainbow brought to life by a stunning live orchestra collated of some of Down District’s most talented young musicians! Towering scenery, fantastic costumes and a 1st class cast will bring this production to a new level and promises to be a real magical treat for the whole family! So join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-man, Lion & Toto as we take you along the yellow brick road to see ‘The Wizard of Oz’!

Tyrone

Supporting Parents in a Digital World is organised by Children in Northern Ireland and Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership – 7th November at St. John’s Primary School, Moy. Concerned about the gap in communication? Feeling overwhelmed with technology? The ‘Keep Up with Your Kid Online’ Awareness Program for Parents will be running events in your local area this month. The sessions are delivered by Youth Speaker, Digital Expert and Author Wayne Denner. For further information and to register for the workshop call Lynsey Dempster on 028 90401290 or email Lynsey@ci-ni.org.uk

Fermanagh

Conal Gallen starring in his very own Comedy, A Bit on the Side, at the Ardowen Theatre 8th and 9th November. Conal takes his hilarious humour to a whole new level in this side-splitting 2 Act comedy farce! The action takes place in the household of Bridie and Willie Murphy, a couple who have fought the war of marriage, for over 30 years! It is a love story unlike any other! Join Bridie, Willie, Dick and Cynthia… Yes, Cynthia!!!!! As this tale of passion and intrigue unfolds! Early booking advised! Suitable for over 12’s.

Derry

Calling all shopaholics and fashionistas – Magherafelt’s style festival makes a return for the third year and 2013 sets to be bigger and better than before from 4th – 9th November 2013. There will be plenty of action throughout the week, from fashion shows to revamping your style and workshops, featuring top make-up artists and image consultants! This is one week you will most definitely want to be a part of! Events include: Monday 4th – Revamp your Style Clothes swap (The Bridewell), Tuesday 5th – Colour Analysis workshop (The Bridewell), Wednesday 6th – Visible Women Conference (Council Offices), Thursday 7th am – Women in Business NI Networking Lunch and pm Vintage Fashion Show (The Elk), Friday 8th – Billy Dixon lunch time seminar (The Terrace Hotel), Saturday 9th – Coffee & Couture Morning, Fabulous Fashion Fixes in Meadowlane and Make up workshops.

Armagh

The Marketplace Theatre presents Bond, Wednesday November 6th. In this latest physical style adventure, Gavin Robertson focuses his attention on the Bond phenomenon, spoofing the characters adored by millions, and exploding every cliché in the book(s)… solo! Bond meets his greatest arch-villain yet – Ian Fleming himself! His brand of physical comedy has toured the world with past productions such as ‘Fantastical Voyage’, ‘Spittoon’ and ‘A Space Oddity’ touring in the UK, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, the Middle East, Europe, and in 2013 in India, Australia and the USA.

Antrim

Ballet Theatre UK perform their critically acclaimed festive classic The Nutcracker at the Theatre at the Mill on Wednesday 6th November. Tchaikovsky’s most loved and unforgettable musical score is complemented by Artistic Director Christopher Moore’s magical choreography in this stunning new production. This timeless, enchanting adventure is beautifully told through the magic of dance and is sure to delight audiences of all ages. The Nutcracker features popular favourites including The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the world famous Waltz of the Snowflakes.

Belfast

Family skating Saturdays at Dundonald Ice Bowl from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. Suitable for all ages – introduce young / novice skaters to ice skating without the hussle & bussle of public sessions. £4 per session, £1 skate hire.

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni and remember to add your events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni

Project 24 is delighted to announce events and activities to give you a stylish Christmas like you’ve never had before! From the site’s very own Christmas Switch On, Friday 29 November, through to late night shopping for that special ‘Bangor Made’ present, to the magical world of shadow puppetry with Out of the Shadows from Friday 27 December to Sunday 29 December, there will be something to tantalise and to amaze everyone at Queen’s Parade on Bangor’s seafront.

On Friday 29 November start the Christmas season in style at Project 24! Come and be enchanted by the magical lantern parade leading up to the switching on of Project 24’s Christmas lights by Mayor of North Down Andrew Muir. Bring your children along to explore their artistic talents at a Christmassy craft workshop. Stand in awe and watch a fantastic unique digital light show by Pixel Poi – Europe’s premier digital light show artists making their first ever appearance in Northern Ireland. Laugh and giggle at the family-friendly Red Hot Santa’s whilst ho-humming to festive music or search for that special, unique gift at our artisan Christmas market. Visit and enjoy a hot drink, sample delightful hand-made chocolates, savour the toasted marshmallows and roasted chestnuts whilst listening to some familiar Christmas Carols. This is a free event and all are welcome.

From the Switch On (Friday 29 November) until Christmas, the Project 24 artists will be opening their pods until 9pm each Friday night,  enabling you to find a unique ‘Bangor Made’ gift for that unusual and bespoke present which you have been searching for! Many of the artists are offering limited edition prints and pieces, ceramic Christmas decorations and beautiful hand-made goods, there is something for every budget. Why not give it a personal touch and experience making a Christmas gift yourself by participating in one of our craft sessions. You are invited to see the best of Northern Ireland hand-made jewellery hosted by renowned Goldsmith Sarah McAleer showing an exhibition of beautiful work.

Come and experience something completely new and different for the whole family to enjoy! Awaken those nostalgic childhood memories and visit Project 24’s very first shadow theatre event between Christmas and New Year. From Friday 27^th to Sunday 29^th December we are thrilled to be hosting Out of the Shadows; a unique festival of shadow theatre featuring performances of well-known and loved children’s stories told through puppetry. Be captivated by Mowgli and his Jungle Book tales, allow your curiosity to be sharpened by Alice and the White Rabbit and be charmed by Aladdin. You’ll be welcomed at the flaming entrance and led through a world of enthralling shadows, and you can also learn more about the characters and the art form in post-performance workshops.

This is a free event, but places will be limited and tickets will be available soon – keep an eye on www.project24ni.com for details of when booking will be open.  Look out for Golden Tickets which gives you a front row seat!

Friday 27th December:

2pm – 3pm: Show – Alice and the White Rabbit

3.30pm – 4.30pm: Shadow Puppet Workshop

6pm – 7pm: Show – Alice and the White Rabbit

Saturday 28th December:

2pm – 3pm: Show – Aladdin

3.30pm – 4.30pm: Shadow Puppet Workshop

6pm – 7pm:  Show – Aladdin

Sunday 29th December:

1.30pm – 2.30pm: Show – Jungle Book

3.00pm – 4.00pm: Shadow Puppet Workshop

5pm – 6pm:  Show – Jungle Book

Acting Arts Officer Deborah Mulholland said “we wanted to create something exciting and completely different for Project 24’s first Christmas. With the digital light show by Pixel Poi and Out of the Shadows we believe we’ve brought exactly that to Bangor and these will be Christmas events unlike any other. Add to that the opportunity to buy uniquely handcrafted presents from the Project 24 artists and traditional cosy Christmas favourites such as roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate at the Christmas Market  we think we’ve got a series of Christmas activities you won’t want to miss.”

For full details of all events, please visit www.project24ni.com

The Northern Ireland bakery scene is set to be revamped this week as the Beannchor Group launches its newest venue, Patisserie Mimi.

Set on High Street, in the heart of the city’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter, Patisserie Mimi officially open its doors to the public on Wednesday 6^th November. The high-end artisan bakery is the first of its kind in the city and is set to renew Northern Ireland’s love of the traditional bakery with a modern, continental inspired twist.

The patisserie will serve up a vast array of artisan breads from bloomers and brioche to Bavarian rye bread and soured spelt flour bread with toasted sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

To guarantee that Patisserie Mimi is the best in the business, bakers will use traditional European bread making techniques to ensure that breads stay fresh for longer. Techniques include allowing bread to be rested for over 16 hours to ensure the perfect flow of flavour, a good body with a pronounced crust and longer-lasting freshness.

In addition to freshly baked bread, Patisserie Mimi will also serve gateaux, pastries and macarons, which come in an array of mouth-watering flavours including sea salt caramel, rhubarb and strawberry, ivory chocolate and Tonka bean, pistachio and Alpaco Grande Cru, to name but a few.

Bill Wolsey, managing director of Beannchor is confident that his latest project has the recipe for success. Commenting on the launch, he said:

“It is very exciting to be bringing the traditional bakery back into Belfast but giving it a continental twist to offer the city something new and innovative.

“Belfast is an increasingly cosmopolitan city and for this to continue, we need to keep creating venues that cater for the changing tastes of our residents and visitors to the city.

“We have spent a great deal of time and effort carefully developing and honing the baking techniques to ensure that Patisserie Mimi will offer the highest quality baked goods in Belfast and beyond.”

Patisserie Mimi is the latest addition to the Beannchor portfolio. Over £700,000 has been invested by the Group in Patisserie Mimi and its neighbour, The National Grande Café Bar, which launched in September.  Later this month Beannchor will launch another exciting venture, with the opening of pub and music venue, The Dirty Onion and free-range rotisserie chicken restaurant, Yard Bird within the same complex on Hill Street in the Cathedral Quarter.

The Beannchor Group – Ireland’s largest hospitality group, boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.  This latest series of new business launches signal a significant jobs boost, with the creation of over 90 jobs in total.

Patisserie Mimi officially opens to the public on Wednesday 6^th November 2013. For further information, find Patisserie Mimi on Facebook and Twitter.

Miss Northern Ireland and the Belfast Giants joined forces this weekend to kick start a week-long campaign of good deeds in aid of Special Olympics Ireland.

Electric Ireland’s Powering Kindness Week – which will see good deeds transformed into donations for three Irish charities – kicked off on Saturday (2^nd November) and Northern Ireland’s great and good are limbering up to help Special Olympics Ireland in their bid to win a share of €100,000.

Every good deed or act of kindness logged during Powering Kindness Week (2^nd-8^th November) will benefit the three charities that are part of the campaign – Special Olympics Ireland, Childline and Breakthrough Cancer Research.

In support of Special Olympics Ireland, Miss NI, Meagan Green joined athletes and volunteers from Belfast based Special Olympics clubs, Salto and Neptune’s at the Belfast Giants’ home again against the Cardiff Devils on Sunday, 3^rd November to hand out sweet treats to Giants fans as they descended en masse to the Odyssey Arena.

As a reciprocal good deed, the Belfast Giants invited the Special Olympics Ulster athletes and volunteers to stay and enjoy the nail-biting action of a live ice-hockey game, along with almost 4,000 other avid Giants fans.

These good deeds are amongst the first of many that will be conducted in the name of Special Olympics Ireland this week, as the charity vies to create a culture of kindness.

Other famous local faces supporting the Special Olympics Ireland Powering Kindness campaign include Ulster Rugby’s Paul Marshall, BBC Newsline anchor, Stephen Watson, DJ and broadcaster, Rigsy, UTV’s Pamela Ballantine and Radio 1’s Phil Taggart, who will all pledge their good deeds for the sports charity this week.

Commenting on the initiative, Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster said:

“We are thrilled that Special Olympics Ireland has been chosen as one of the three charities for Electric Ireland’s Powering Kindness week. The ethos of doing good deeds is very much in keeping with the spirit of Special Olympics, which changes lives for the better each and every day.

“Funds raised through Powering Kindness week will make a massive difference to the lives of local people. In the Ulster region alone, Special Olympics supports over 2,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in 98 clubs, providing opportunities to compete in sporting events on a regional, national and international level.

“We’d like to thank all of our local supporters and celebrities across Ulster for coming on board to help us during Powering Kindness week; we hope their good deeds will inspire others to do something Special and support Special Olympics Ireland during Powering Kindness Week.”

Members of the public can log their good deeds for Special Olympics Ireland through the Electric Ireland Powering Kindness website – poweringkindness.ie, through a dedicated Powering Kindness Facebook app (http://apps.facebook.com/poweringkindness) or through Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #poweringkindness and tagging @SOIreland

Good deeds will be accepted through to Friday 8^th November.  At the end of the week, the charity with the greatest number of good deeds done in their name will receive a donation from Electric Ireland for €50,000 with €30,000 and €20,000 for the other two charities.

For further information, visit www.poweringkindness.ie

A Spiritual Quest for the Soul of the World
A Musical / Dramatic Interpretation
of
Paulo Coelho’s
Manual of the Warrior of Light

A Spiritual Quest for the Soul of the World

A Musical / Dramatic Interpretation of Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light

WRITE2PERFORM ARTS INITIATIVE

Company Number: NI 610704

WHO WE ARE

WRITE2PERFORM Arts Initiative is an Irish-Based, New York-Influenced [International / Multi-Cultural] Theatre Production & Educational Company; an Inter-Disciplinary, Limited by Guarantee (Non-Profit) Ensemble-Collective of Amateur, Student and Professional Artists Administrators, with Charitable Status and Social-Enterprise Ideals

OUR MISSION

To Encourage, Develop and Inspire the Personal, Professional & Artistic Growth of Emerging and Established Theatre-Practitioners by Challenging Pre-Conceived Ideas of Performance-Arts, upon the Global Stage, through Theatre-Events and Arts-Projects such as…

(1) Re-Imagined Versions of Classic & Contemporary Texts,

(2) Post-Textual & Performative Renderings of Original Concepts,

(3) Musical / Dramatic Interpretations of Filmic-Literary Material,

Conceived and Showcased [Simultaneously or Alternatively] in Ireland and United States

Warriors of Light: A Spiritual Quest for the Soul of the World

A Musical / Dramatic Interpretation of Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light

This will be the fully-realised version of what had been developed and executed; showcased at the Irondale Center, Brooklyn 2012 as part of World Wide Lab; a collective of (14) international Directors, forged through involvements with Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab, Manhattan, 2010 and residency at the Watermill Center, Long Island, 2011. We want to develop the content; the structure, narrative and imagery of Warriors of Light: a Musical / Dramatic Interpretation of Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light and, it is our intention to fully-execute this as a theatre-event encompassing choreographed-physical movement married to an original score and by excavating Coelho’s motivational book so that themes of a new feminine religion, born from the conflict between cult and organised religions unfold.

The concept of this work was born from working with Liz Piccoli, our New York-based Choreographer on Capulets & Montagues: a Post-Textual Re-Telling of Shakespeare’s Tragedy – which we staged at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast and Waterside Theatre, L’Derry during 2012. The sub-textual movements of a masked ‘female’ character, representing the characters of Tybalt and Mercutio, reacting to and against the Montague and Capulet families on either side of a live Chess game were conceived and rehearsed via Skype (between Belfast and Manhattan). Thus, the dramatic confrontations between two similar parties, the gender manipulation, the performative rendering of existing texts, the power of verbal and physical performances plus the overall Trans-Atlantic ethos of the company emerged and that is why we want to maintain this aesthetic in workshops, rehearsals and within our end-products.

We want to adapt Paulo Coelho’s book, made up of motivational statements and parables, so that in a parallel world, it becomes a ‘new’ bible; a bible that is now worshipped and adhered to by a majority of women. The text becomes speeches, monologues, lyrics to songs, dialogue between characters and also rhetoric from the pulpits, occupied by female ministers. As we operate an ensemble-collective of artists – Ireland and New York – the narrative concerns two factions of this new religion called Warriors of Light. One is based in Coney Island, New York and the other is based in Coney Island, Ireland. The premise is that an Irish girl begins to question the doctrine and the Warrior’s rules which lead to confrontation and debate with a New York girl who holds on firmly to her beliefs.

We want, in the same vein as we are doing with much of our process-driven and rehearsed work to have a live audience in Ireland who will witness open and re-staged developmental / rehearsal processes whilst, simultaneously, a New York audience, live on-line, will also witness the same showcase. Therefore, as an educational initiative, during a period of (24) weeks the end-product will be marketed, having received vital input from peers, performing arts enthusiasts, critics, reviewers, venue staff and off-course, the general public who can then, based on their discussions, debates, questioning and critiques, witness them fully.

DEVELOPMENT

25th November 2013 – 7th March 2014

Based upon the piece that was showcased at Irondale Center, Brooklyn 2012 and a new template script for the fully-realised 2014 version, W2P workshops will be publicised throughout Belfast, Dublin and Mid-Ulster to gain the interest (passion / enthusiasm) of actor-performers.

The show, at-present, will require the following cast…

ACTOR-PERFORMERS

The Beautiful Woman / God / Ascetic

The Boy

The Boy’s Mother / Guardian Angel / Puritan

The Boy’s Father / Poet / Moralist

Old Fisherman / Wise Chinese Man / Guardian of Social Values

(3) School Bullies / Friends / True Companions

(3) Fishermen / Disciples

The Boy as Man / Warrior of Light

Priestess of Coney Island, New York

Minister of Coney Island, Ireland

(6) Angels / Students / Teachers

Francesca in Coney Island, Ireland

Sinead in Coney Island, New York

The Opponent-Enemy / Devil / Penitent

Jesus Christ the Spiritual Master

…And, these Actor-Performers will emerge from workshops, facilitated by W2P members, in Dublin, Belfast and Cookstown wherein they will learn new techniques and methods of theatre-practice whilst forming bonds and friendships with each other; aiding the growth of the Company and the progress of the theatre-event.

Workshops will be 3-4 hours in duration, each day and will be held one day per week in each location –

Tuesdays (1.00pm – 5.00pm); Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown

Thursdays (1.00pm – 5.00pm): Morton Community Centre, Belfast

Fridays (11.00am – 2.00pm): The Exchange, Dublin

Over a 12 week period, every 2nd week a musical score and song-writing composition session (in each location) will be facilitated and every 3rd week a choreography session (in each location) will be hosted.

The purpose of this development period – which will entail the writing of the text and songs, based on what occurs within sessions – is to become succinct in the styles, formats and ideals of W2P (Characterisation / Movement / Images / Vocals / Colours); how – as a unit – a unique theatre-event can be conceived, shaped and delivered.

INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE:

13th – 15th March 2014

The Ulster Hall – Group Space, Belfast

From Concept to Reality: How a W2P Theatre-Event is Created!

The (Cookstown, Belfast and Dublin) groups come together and through an amalgamation of press conference, interactive workshop and performance displays, an audience in the Ulster Hall Group Space conjoined with a live New York audience in the Culture Hub, La Mamas – consisting of members of the general public, peers, collaborators, critics and performing arts students – will witness process-based theatre work which they will also help shape and promote, leading towards rehearsals.

REHEARSALS

17th March 2014 – 8th June 2014

DRESS & TECHNICAL REHEARSALS

9th and 10th June 2014

PREVIEWS

10th and 11th June 2014

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

Ireland

12th – 20th June 2014

The Waterfront Hall, Studio Space, Belfast

New York

July 2014

Edited Live On-Line Version –

Harlem Theatre Festival, New York

August – September 2014

La Mamas, New York.

Aims and Objectives

1. To encourage and promote new talent and originality within theatre amalgamating art-forms such as (film-media / music / art-photography / costume design / dance-choreography / scenic-set design and much more).

2. To offer opportunities to adult learners / artists who may want to re-enter the arts industry or revitalise and improve existing talents and abilities – through further learning and experiences.

3. To conceive and develop Post-Textual & Performative Renderings of original theatrical texts by emerging and established writers – assisting the writing process and seeking public platforms to showcase the work.

4. To conceive and develop re-imagined versions of classic and contemporary texts – seeking a public platform to showcase the work.

5. To conceive and develop musical / dramatic interpretations of filmic and literary material – seeking a public platform to showcase the work.

6. To utilise non-stereotypical performance spaces such as industrial premises, Warehouses, bars and night-clubs – bringing new audiences and commercialism into these venues.

7. To offer artists (across many mediums and forms) the opportunities to meet, connect with, engage in conversations and correspondence with and begin collaborations with like-minded individuals.

8. To create the possibilities of an amalgamation; a coming together of the multi-cultural, multi-denominational and inter-disciplinary artists within our society.

9. To permit an integration; a bonding of amateur, student and professional arts-practitioners working with and for each other through employment and collaborations.

10. To offer taught-facilitated courses and workshops to in-house members and to exterior artists, business professionals and members of the community (youth groups / creative writing groups / theatre groups-companies / religious groups etc).

11. To supply consultation and tutorial services and resources to emerging and established writers, directors, producers, performers etc.

12. To adhere to an ethos of volunteerism wherein work carried out by W2P teachers, facilitators, artists and administrators etc above (20) hours per week will be free-of-charge.

13. To maintain a policy of ‘giving back’ to the communities and environments that played a part in our growth and the growth of all those who participate or become members of W2P by allocating 10% of all wages and 10% of annual profit to charities, to community-related projects, to suppliers and venues for their in-kind assistance and back into the Arts Initiative to sustain continual projects and development.

14. To ensure relationships are upheld between theatre companies and theatre venues by offering a service to bring people from many rural and diverse areas to shows and inform-educate those people about the history of; the nature and content of the show and also of the building they are visiting and the company who are staging the work.

15. To offer individuals the skills and knowledge on how to network themselves within theatre, literary and arts environments.

16. To offer theatre companies, artistic directors, directors and producers plus writers dramaturgical packages which aid their endeavours within creative and administrative processes

17. To initiate the set-up of reading, writing and performance groups – generated from those who are members of W2P or who have participated in courses, workshops etc.

18. To integrate individuals into a modern approach to Northern Irish-Americanised (theoretical and practical) theatre practice via (simultaneous or alternative) development and showcasing of work in Ireland and New York; an on-line / multi0media, Trans-Atlantic exchange of ideas and methods, enhancing each theatre-event & arts-project.

19. To engage with communities and offer them platforms in order to talk about and perform their stories.

20. To re-define the boundaries between art and the artist, between the artist and commercialism; artistic integrity and mainstream populism.

Tickets are selling fast for Conal Gallens new play ‘A Bit on the Side’.  Friday 16^th and Saturday 17^th are nearly sold out with limited tickets left for the extra date which added on Sunday 17^th November.

This is Conal Gallen starring in his very own Comedy play you don’t want to miss it. Conal and his son Rory began writing the comedy play three years ago and finally finished it earlier this year. The play was launched in August  to a sold out audience at the Balor Arts Centre and received a standing ovation. Since then it has toured Ireland to the same success and now it is coming to Strabane Yes, Conal takes his hilarious humour to a whole new level in this side-splitting 2 Act comedy farce! Written by Conal and his son Rory, the action takes place in the household of Bridie and Willie Murphy, a couple who have fought the war of marriage, for over 30 years!

It is a love story unlike any other! Wandering eyes, wandering feet, wandering hands…..It’s all here! Scenes of nudity have been carefully left out in this saga of sex, drugs and deception! (There weren’t any in the first place, says Conal!) Join Bridie, Willie,Dick and Cynthia… Yes, Cynthia!!!!! As this tale of passion and intrigue unfolds!

A play that was 16 years and 6 weeks in production. 16 years thinking about it and 6 weeks writing!

Tickets are £20 and available from the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com

Derry playwright Brian Foster’s hugely successful stage play, Maire–a Woman of Derry, will perform for one night only at The Alley Theatre, Strabane, on Tuesday, November 19^th at 8pm.

Featuring Derry’s foremost actress, Carmel McCafferty, this hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heart breaking story has played to packed houses and standing ovations throughout Ireland, England, Canada and America. Bringing in a combined audience of close on 40,000 has made it the most successful play in the history of local Derry theatre. At Derry’s thousand seater Millennium Forum Theatre, it broke box office records!

Maire Mc Laughlin is foul-mouthed and feisty, but also intensely human. Armed only with her half-bottle of street wine, she gives an incredible account of her fall from grace from fresh faced teenage bride living in Derry’s Creggan Estate, to the pitiful condition we find her in today. Along the way we see working class life and death at its funniest, rawest and cruellest. And we get to meet an assortment of unforgettable characters who have coloured Maire’s life. From incorrigible scrounger Tina the Tap, to habitual smoker Big Bridie and her husband Jimmy the Tadpole. From Posh Maisie, to seriously cross-eyed Matilda and The Hairy Man from Strabane, to innocent little Norris the Gnome.

Hailed as ‘magnificent’ and ‘unmissable’ by the critics, Maire – a Woman of Derry is a theatrical triumph not to be missed!

NB: This play contains strong language and adult content throughout. Please do not come to be offended.

Tickets are £15, £13 (con) and available from the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com