NOT GETTING ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU WANT ?  Tell us and be in to win £20!

Warwickshire Youth and Community Service are trying to find out what you think about the Arts (in the broadest sense). Do you think you get enough of what you want ?, Would you like more ?… Do you know where to go to develop your talent ? What could the youth service do to help ?

We would also really like to know if you feel you have a say in arts actvities or would you like to be more involved?  

HAVE YOUR SAY by leaving a comment on WYAN or text http://www.radioabbey.com/ 07983 315500 and you could win a £20 voucher !

Watch out arts venues! - Our secret cultural shopping team have begun their mission to seek out excellent youth arts work … read more as they tell us about their mission to make the arts world more youth friendly !

On a cold Friday evening a group of young art enthusiasts went along to Trinity High School in Leamington to review a performance from Being Frank physical theatre. Chloe, Ben, Lucy, and Joseph volunteered their evening to write a review of their experience and upload it to the WYAN website for the world to see. By doing so it is hoped that many other young people can have a look at what they have to say and decide to go along to the venue or similar performances. Over the coming months these young people and others plan to visit and review various other arts related venues and events across Warwick District. By doing so local arts facilities will be informed about young people’s experiences of their services and therefore consider them in future events. This project aims both to promote young people’s enjoyment of local arts and to encourage arts providers to involve young people in their programmes.

Find out who got shopped first with the reviewers commenting ….“An incredibly impressive production: must see them again.”   click on projects and seek out the reveiwers project ….

 http://www.wyan.org.uk/subcultures-young-reviewers-scheme/

Our first visit!

Urban Savages at Trinity High School, Leamington Spa.

The young reviewers before the show...

   ‘Urban Savages’ was a contemporary dance production combining elements of Brazilian martial arts and parkour, with young local males providing the majority of the action. With a plot based upon the famous novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, survivors of an apocalyptic virus found themselves in a harsh altered environment. A power struggle soon emerges as the tribes descend into savergy, and must fight to outlive each other until help arrives.

            ‘Being Frank’s production was held at Trinity High School with three performances over the weekend. An easy location to reach via most forms of transport, the school boasted excellent accessibility for all people to attend, and the dance company took full advantage of the venue’s impressive facilities. With tickets costing £6 and with the production taking place at a school some may be put off, but this would most definitely be a mistake.

            We heard about ‘Savages’ through a Youth Club member of staff, and unfortunately would not have discovered it otherwise: the advertising itself was professionally done and very engaging to the eyes, but distribution was certainly limited. Strangely, not any emphasis was put upon the exclusively male-cast, which could have been a major selling point: ‘Being Frank’ run a workshop training un-experienced 12-15 year olds in contemporary dance, introducing them to a world they would otherwise miss out on.

            The show itself was incredibly energetic, with young athletes wrapping & weaving themselves amongst a simple yet very well designed set. A fantastic selection of music provided the backbone for the dancers, ranging from classic hip-hop to more modern electronic beats. The ‘Lord of the Flies’ inspired plot was easy enough to follow, although occasional deviations could throw the audience off at points, due to weak use of video and unclear dialogue. Some of the dance sequences did become repetitive, but this can be expected due to the inclusion of local amateur dancers and their limited preparation time. This did lead to a long, well rounded duration.

            Overall, people should not be discouraged by the fact that this production is held at a school, as the performance delivered excellent quality in all aspects: a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Ratings (out of five):

Accessibility:……….4/5

Promotion:………..3.5/5

The ’show’/event:….4/5

Treatment:………….5/5

 

Overall rating:…….4/5

“I would definitely like to see Being Franks work again”

“An incredibly impressive production: must see them again.”

Want to get involved???

Live in Warwick district ?

Got an opinion about the arts?

Wanna make your point heard ?

We are currently recruiting a group of young people from the area to visit appropriate arts related venues and events and then write a review of their experiences; is it suitable for young people? Is it affordable? Are the staff helpful/friendly?

We will visit exhibitions, museums, theatre plays and more, as a group and then tell the world what you think….THERE IS NO COST INVOLVED FOR PARTICIPANTS!!

We are planning new visits before April 2009 - if you would like to get involved or want more information then please get in touch:

contact Lee Atkins lee.atkins@wayc.org.uk or call (01926) 450156

More to follow…