Fusion 09

Massive production planned for Darlaston Town Hall

Darlaston Town Hall

A community play and public art display for the whole community to enjoy is set to be staged at the recently refurbished Darlaston Town Hall.

The town hall, which officially re-opened last June (2008) after a £325,000 makeover, is going to be the backdrop for the event called ‘The Very Heart Of It’ which is set to be held in the Summer.

The production is a collaboration between Walsall Council’s creative development and project delivery teams and the Darlaston Events Committee.

Funding for the project has been identified from the town, district and local centres capital programme budget and the Darlaston Events Committee was successful in receiving additional funding from Awards for All.

The project replaces original plans to install a fountain in Victoria Park after tenders received were deemed too expensive so it was agreed to explore an alternative public art proposal for Darlaston town centre.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “Darlaston Town Hall is one of the finest buildings in the borough and so it is a very fitting venue for such a community event.

“The ‘Very Heart Of It’ promises to be a spectacular event which will bring together the whole community,” he added.

Councillor Bill Madeley, chairman of the Darlaston Events Committee, said: “This is a very exciting initiative which aims to bring together the community of Darlaston and celebrate the town and the people within it.

“We are looking forward to finalising the plans over the coming months and getting the public involved,” he added.

A brief was prepared by the creative development team, and expressions of interest invited from artists. A locally-based consortium of professional artists called Bostin Arts, comprising community artist Sam Hale, sculptor Karl Lewis, metal worker Lofty Wright and Birmingham-based theatre producers Round Midnight Ltd was felt to be the most able to deliver the objectives of the brief. Sam Hale and Round Midnight Ltd have extensive experience of working on projects in Walsall.

The artist met with officers and councillors at a meeting in December and agreed widespread consultation events and a draft delivery programme.

The artwork will require planning consent and Conservation Area consent, and applications are expected to be submitted in the spring.

The art work and the community play will be inspired by and based upon research carried out by the artists via a series of workshops and drop-in sessions with the Darlaston community. The art work and play are planned to be premiered on the same day, which is currently timetabled to be in the summer.

We're all going on a....Round Midnight Theatre Summer School

It's that time of year again. The time when you try and decide where our beleaguered pound will allow you to travel on our summer hols, do you stay in the UK and risk double pneumonia sitting on a dodgy deck chair or take a flight somewhere sunny and spend a fortnight chatting to the type of family you'd cross the street to avoid in the UK. Well fear not because there is another choice.

The summer school is designed for young people who are passionate about the performing arts including dance, drama, music and singing. They will be part of a professional theatrical company working to a rigorous schedule in order to achieve a production of the highest artistic standard.

During the week long courses the young people will be involved in all aspects of creating a production culminating in shows of epic proportions. The young performers will work with professional actors, directors, musicians and choreographers from Round Midnight Ltd and all for a parent friendly price of £75.00 per performer per week.

Round Midnight have been running summer schools since 1995 and many of the young people who have take part in have gone on to careers in film, television and theatre.

Rehearsals and performances for both courses take place at The Arthur Terry School. Details of the productions can be found below.

With My Little Eye

Week 1 7-11 YEAR OLDS

27^th – 31^st July 2009

For over 50 years a top secret government agency known by the codename A.V.O.N has protected our great nation from power mad evil geniuses and their fiendish plots.

But one by one the agents of A.V.O.N are mysteriously disappearing leaving us at the mercy of every cut throat villain on the planet.

In desperation Britain’s Prime Minister holds an open audition for new spies and selects the best of the bunch to protect our green and pleasant land.

Has this team of raw recruits got what it takes to defeat the most wretched collection of scum and villainy ever assembled?

You’ll have to act, sing and dance as if the freedom of the country depends upon it – because it does!

B.O.G.O.F !

WEEK 2 11 – 16 YEAR OLDS

3^rd – 7^th August 2009

From dodgy DVD’s to doggy biscuits, tattoos to tangerines, Mingingham Indoor Market sells it all.

Teenagers go there to hang around and wind up the security guards, mums go there to buy nappies and leave their kids in Colin’s Crèche and pensioners go there to gossip over a cup of tea in Elsie’s Café. Everybody loves Mingingham Indoor Market…or do they?

When the stall holders arrive one morning to find the market vandalised with strange messages daubed on the walls they know something’s rotten, and for once it’s not their fruit and veg.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery they join forces and begin an exciting and dangerous adventure that will take them from the aisles of the local hypermarket to the plush offices of property mogul St John Chlomondeley.

You’ll have to act, sing and dance as if the future of Mingingham Indoor Market depends on it – because it does!

Dates and timetable

Week 1 – With My Little Eye

Age group 7 -11 yrs

Monday 27th July – Friday31^st July

Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm

Fri 10am – 9pm (inc performance at 7.30pm)

Week 2 – B.O.G.O.F!

Age group 11 – 16 yrs

Monday 3^rd August – Friday 7^th August

Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm

Fri 10am – 9pm (inc performance at 7.30pm)

If you are interested in booking a place or would like more details please conatct Round Midnight on 0121 440 8188 or email summerschool@roundmidnight.org.uk

The Very Heart of It

"Buildings and businesses may come and go but at the very heart of the place are the communities that make up Darlaston."

Round Midnight are working with artists Bostin' Arts and Lofty Wright on "The Very Heart of It" an exciting community arts project based in Darlsaton in Walsall.

The project will culminate with a new community play to be staged in Darlaston Town Hall that celebrates the past, the present and the future of Darlaston, starring the people of Darlaston.

A fantastic new piece of public art will be created, this will stand outside Darlaston Town Hall for many years to come. Both the art and the drama will be inspired by local peoples stories and memories of the area.

We are currently collecting the stories that will inform the performance and public art and have been told some wonderful stories about Darlaston.

If you are from Darlaston and would like be involved in the project, perhaps you have a story or photograph you could share, maybe you would like to be in the production or help design the set or piece of public art. Please contact theveryheartofit@walsall.gov.uk

Round Midnight and The Learning and Skills Improvement Service

Round Midnight are currently working with the The Learning and Skills Improvement Service on their Senior leadership Development programme. A piece of theatre entitled "Reunited" has been commissioned by LSIS and Round Midnight also facilitate a series of workshops for the participants of the programme.

Reunited looks at the relationship between four college friends meeting together for the first time in many years. Can they treat each other as "grown ups" or will they revert to the roles they use to play.

The Senior Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) is a unique personal and professional programme designed for senior leaders and principals of the future.

It provides a challenging and stimulating learning experience that increases the capacity of its participants to become successful and effective Principals and Chief Executives.

There is an emphasis on the inter-relations between theory, practice and context of leadership and the programme draws heavily on participants as a resource and agents of change in their organisation.

Extended Schools Projects

Round Midnight are currently facilitating anumber of exciting extended school projects.

Round Midnight can offer workshops on the following subjects;

• Drama
• Movement
• Film/Video skills
• Electronic Music
• Creative Writing

The workshops are facilitated by experienced arts workers who all have enhanced CRB checks and are fully insured.

Round Midnight workshops raise the aspirations of the participants and give them a positive experience that is energetic and fun. Many of our workshops enhance key themes such as social inclusion, community cohesion and respect for self and others.

All of our workshops can incorporate numerous curriculum needs and core skills.

Our after school provision is fully booked until Easter. We are currently working with groups in Small Heath, Erdington, Chelmsley Wood, Perry Common and Bordesley Green. However we do have arts workers available for projects during February half term.

Round Midnight are very flexible so whether you already have a specific project in mind or want some guidance on the workshops that would work best for your group we are happy to help.

We are currently taking bookings for the spring term and beyond so please feel free to contact us.

Our telephone numbers are 0121 440 8188

Or e mail info@roundmidnight.org.uk

Fab Feb Fun 2009

Monday 16th - Friday 20th February 2009
10.00am - 4.00pm

Fab Feb Fun is a free half term project for young people aged 9 - 12. The project will focus on performing and the young people involved will have the chance to develop great new skills. Fab Feb Fun will incorporate live drama and film-making and culminate in a performance the whole family can enjoy.

The project will be delivered by Round Midnight Ltd , a company with 17 years experience of working with young people.

All arts workers involved have full enhanced CRB checks. Fab Feb Fun is a free project but places are limited and will go quickly. If you would like to reserve a place on the project please contact Round Midnight on

0121 440 8188

or email fabfebfun@roundmidnight.org.uk

Please leave your contact details and the name and age of the young person who wishes to take part.

I Want to Be - Round Midnight and The Princes Trust

"I Want to Be" is a Theatre in Education programme run in conjunction with the Princes Trust. It explores the themes of self employment, education and enterprise.

"I Want to Be" is a theatrical production followed by interactive workshops that explore the themes further. First commissioned by the trust in 2001, the programme has enjoyed enormous success touring schools involved in the Princes Trust XL scheme.

The production is touring schools in Birmingham and the Black Country in December 2008.

If you would like “I Want to Be” at your school or college please contact info@roundmidnight.org.uk