Theatre Week number 5 (and I am nowhere near the longest running participant); after attending so many you don’t really think it can get any better. How wrong that judgement was. Theatre week 2010 was spectacular.
It was all rather exciting when the 8 of us who had travelled from Dorset, arrived late and were greeted by the director Chris, shrouded in a black cloak squealing ‘Welcome’ in our faces. Three at a time we were lead through the ‘Kingdom’ to our ‘sleeping chambers.’ That’s one of the beauties of theatre week; it really does begin the moment you set foot in the door. And what a lovely door indeed. This door would lead to where we were to live, eat, rehearse, laugh and cry and for a week; Yardley Hastings. You see, I never really understood the hype that other previous theatre weekers had about Yardley, until theatre week 2009. And spending my second year there, I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to hold such a special event. It’s rather rare to have a four story building to yourself, with bathrooms, a self- catered kitchen, various rehearsal places and a chapel for worship. Not only that but the staff and the village surrounding the place are full of the kindest, most generous people I’ve met. I mean, when a woman from the village drives home for acetone to remove the paper super glued to your best friend’s foot, you know you’re with good people.
It may seem crazy, but despite the fifteen hour days and the colossal challenge of trying to rehearse, make set, learn music and perform a musical in about 4 days, theatre week is a place of calm. Many describe it as being inside a bubble. My experience of this bubble has been a place where no-one judges you, where you always feel loved and the fact you share a week with so many people who want to put on an amazing show. And Theatre Week’s 2010 show; Beauty and the Beast, pretty much defines amazing. My jaw dropped at the auditions as so much talent was unveiled. What is even more beautiful about these talented people is the humble nature of everyone. It’s not like Theatre as you imagine. Of course there is the small hint of competition; no-one would audition if there wasn’t. But the moment the cast list goes up the professionalism of ‘We have a show to do’ kicks in. That’s what astounded me even more this year, just how professional the show and the people were.
Theatre Week has definitely grown so much. But so have I grown with Theatre Week. Performing arts was something I hadn’t even considered as a career path before I joined Faith, hope & gaffertape, now I am about to start a degree in Drama and Theatre. This isn’t to say that everyone there wants it as a career. On the contrary, the fact that participants are trained secondary school science teachers or about to study criminology, just demonstrates the diversity and acceptance that such a company values. At Theatre Week not only are you sharing seven days with people who love the arts and want to produce a fantastic show, but also with those who care deeply about one another and want to see each other achieve.
I would not be the person I am today without Theatre Week. I have met my best friends there, as well as strengthening friendships with the other people from Dorset I have dragged along in desperation to see what an absolutely magical week it is. Guess what? They loved it too.
Thank you Chris Mead, Olivia Flint, Caroline Flint and Matthew Flint for such beautiful memories and friendships. (And all the other Leaders who have been part of theatre week over the years.)
Written by Jade Cadby