The Great Rinsing – Pump House, Wimborne © Martin Coyne
Wimborne Community Theatre (WCT) group is one of 58 community theatre organisations around the UK awarded a grant to develop a new production in 2014.
WCT has invited Brighton-based theatre company, Periplum, to lead creative workshops over the next six months, to explore and develop a new and challenging approach to devising its next theatre production.
The show will be based on research and consultation with members of the community who have shared moving personal stories about the impact on peoples’ lives of the First World War in East Dorset.
The Periplum workshops will be open to anyone interested in taking part in a site-specific theatre production which may involve scenes set in various locations around the town.
Gill Horitz, WCT Project Organizer said, “We are thrilled to be working with Periplum, an innovative theatre group who performed ‘Arquiem’ in 2007 in Wimborne town centre, as part of the Inside Out Festival. Workshops with Periplum will be open to all ages – both experienced actors and novices keen to explore and develop drama/performance skills in a friendly and supportive group.’
Damian Wright of Periplum, said, ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to create adventurous performance in the heart of Wimborne’s community and amongst its historic buildings, working with personal stories and archives to explore the impact of World War 1 on local people’s lives.’
Miriam O’Keeffe , Director of the BBC Performing Arts Fund, said: “I think the arts are really important, socially. As a society it is something that can bring people together.
“We support community groups and emerging talent. The money is made available through phone voting on BBC One entertainment shows, and we have an open applications process.”
