A Creative Collaboration with Chol Theatre

On this wet weekend we're casting our mind's back to sunnier times and an earlier event on this year's UPLIFT calendar which featured a fantastic two part UPLIFT with the brilliant Chol theatre!

The first part of this creative collaboration saw us head to one of our favourite spots, RSPB Old Moor, to watch Chol Theatre's ‘On the Coal Face’ story trail, the second instalment in their ‘Flock of Stories’ series which shares stories of the 1984 miner’s strike, inspired by local stories from the mining communities of Barnsley. 

In a promenade performance, the audience were led around the reserve meeting various character’s along the way. Early on the trail we hear from local lad, Eric, who tells us that like many others round here, he was always destined for a life in the pit, his family are all miners - coal runs through his blood. We meet miner Stanley who has also worked in the pit, man and boy, and tells us tales of the camaraderie and friendships forged deep underground. And lastly we meet Birdie, the wife of Stanley, at the forefront of the Women against pit closures movement as she joins the pickets and paves a new way for women of the era. With powerful monologues and a call to action, the story trail leads the audience back to the court yard where the audience was able to enjoy the rousing sounds of a local brass band in the Springtime sunshine. Glorious!

Inspired by the story trail, UPLIFTER’S then had an opportunity to work with the writer and director of the piece, Carly Ann-Clark, in a creative writing workshop that invited participants to explore their imagination and find their voice. The session began with writing warm up games encouraging participants to think about different words and their meaning and the implications of those words. Starting with their own individual names, the group looked at who called them their name and reason behind it, discussing what it means to them as well as looking at nicknames. This led to a wider discussion of What is in a name? Carly then introduced pictures of people and protests as a means to explore emotions. If a picture says a thousand words what would those words be? Different objects were also used a stimulus to dip into the fantastical, thinking about the places where these objects belong, the story behind them and the characters that connect with them. All of which helped work towards the group taking on some free writing. 

On the session Carly says;

"I think many of the participant’s felt really surprised to see where their imagination had them and what they had achieved from the start of the workshop to the end. Everyone had written a really effective monlogue and read aloud to the group. They were a total joy to work with, really playful and really creative.”

 

Hearing from participant's it appears the feeling was entirely mutual!:

"I loved this afternoon - well planned with a great flow. It was interactive and there was no right or wrong. Super fabulous! Please come back!"

"It's helped me to tap into my imagination. I've enjoyed sharing ideas and I've felt respected and listened to. I'd love to be involved in a play!"

"Thank you for a fantastic group. I've enjoyed every minute!" 

 

We couldn't have put it better! A great UPLIFT enjoyed by all and we look forward to working with the lovely Chol Theatre again very soon!

To find out more about Chol Theatre and the brilliant work they do in communities across Yorkshire, visit: wearechol.co.uk