>> Ma Kelly
ATTIC have created two community shows aimed at the elderly and vulnerable that highlight the issues of Distraction Burglary and Home Safety; Ma Kelly's Doorstep and Ma Kelly Plays It Safe. These entertaining shows tour lunch clubs, day centres and sheltered housing throughout London and have been incorporated into many community safety events. The shows illustrate the hazards and how to prevent them with musical accompaniment and songs to emphasise the message. They empower the audience members, providing them with the knowledge and tools to recognise and combat the danger. They have been extremely successful. Every show is represented by support services within the borough such as the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade.
Since the first tour in 2002 ATTIC have performed the shows over 120 times, reaching 6000 people in over 11 London Boroughs.
The shows feature up to five actors plus a musician, with a small, flexible set designed for touring. A stage manager also accompanies the show.
For more information please click on the links above or contact Victoria Hibbs at the office.
>> The Refugee Project
Many Voices and Project R offer a variety of drama and music workshops and performances for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-18. By giving space for self-expression through improvisation, movement and devising we hope to increase self-confidence, reduce isolation and engender a sense of belonging and having fun.
Many Voices is our project in 2007 - 10. We are currently working with Asylum Welcome (Merton), the Afghan Association Paiwand (Brent) and the Refugee Council in Brixton. We are expanding the range of our work, and would like to hear from the young people and interested organisations, so that we can identify the need more clearly, and meet it. In the meantime we can offer taster workshop sessions.
Project R has been in steady development since 2005, in association with Company of Angels. During 2006-07 regular sessions took place in Balham and Merton. The beneficial effects were clearly felt. One of the highlights was performances by the students for Refugee Week in Merton in July.
The students showed focus and energy and were excited about the performance. Typical reactions afterwards were "It was very funny, and fantastic to meet friends. The performance was great, I felt very proud and nervous", "It made us happy, and gave us confidence" and "I've never done this before, and I liked it a lot".
Rosemary Demin, Refugee Coordinator of the Vulnerable Children Team in Merton - "I think that it was excellent for their self-esteem and they learnt the confidence and poise necessary to perform in front of an audience. The experience bonded the group and all knew that they had to have responsibility for the group outcome. Obviously, the opportunity to perform in public put them in the mainstream and was evidence of inclusion whereas they had previously they would not have had this opportunity in their own countries or in the UK. I am sure that memories of the sessions and performance will stay with the young people for a very long time."
>> Older People
Never Mind The Age, Feel The EnergyThe exploration of drama and comedy through workshops, for older people
This is a series of workshops helping to stimulate the imagination and touch base with the best in drama, comedy and poetry - and most of all have fun.
We create plays from stories invented by the participants through improvisation that are eventually written down by a playwright and given a dramatic structure. The dramatic/humorous piece is ultimately performed as a rehearsed reading.
We explore poetry selected by the group, and in some cases, written by the group, and discuss show material and plays. The ability, talent and imagination of the group is terrific, and the potential for development is limited only by funding. We are currently working with Merton and Morden Guild in Merton. The workshop leader is Jenny Lee.
The RITZ! shows
ATTIC enables older people from diverse ethnic communities to come together to present an entertainment in the theatre.
We liaise with the venue and the groups, provide the stage management, sound and lights and run the show for them. This is an intergenerational project where young people from the communities also take part.
IT'S THE RITZ! at the Charles Cryer Theatre Carshalton Sutton
in 2004 was the culmination of a year's work by The Merton and Morden
Guild Singers, The Goan Elders, Keep Fit Merton, and
Sylvia's Line Dancers, The ATTIC Theatre Young People's Company,
and a Rock 'n Roll band, XS Baggage.
In 2006 we had IT'S THE DIAMOND RITZ! which was followed in April 2008 by
IT'S THE RITZ GOES ROCK 'N' ROLL.
We hosted both shows in partnership with Merton and Morden Guild of L.B. Merton.
Do you want a RITZ! show in your London borough?
We are happy to provide the same service for communities in other boroughs
for information contact Victoria on 020 8640 6800, or email us at info@attictheatrecompany.com