Wimborne theatre group up for a challenge (From Bournemouth Echo)

Wimborne theatre group up for a challenge

1:00pm Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News By Caitlin Marsh

Wimborne Community Theatre is a project-based group of East Dorset residents (currently 12-87 years) who devise original performances set in unusual outdoor sites or non-theatre buildings, working in partnership with artists and arts/heritage organisations.

Working with artists and theatre makers, they research, devise and create new theatre productions reflecting back memories and local stories (historical and contemporary), taking inspiration from the unusual locations in which they perform.

They provide an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to develop their creativity and sense of community through theatre, exploring local places and their history.

Through attending their performances, the audience becomes a partner in a shared experience, celebrating a sense of heritage and community.

The group is preparing for The Quarter Jack’s Christmas Challenge – a seasonal presentation at two of Wimborne’s most historic buildings – Allendale House and the Priest’s House Museum. Two influential local people, Charles Castleman, former owner of Allendale House, and Hilda Coles, whose vision led to the founding of the Priest’s House Museum, will each host an evening at their respective homes, to which some of Wimborne’s most worthy residents over the last thousand years have been invited.

They will be challenged to compete for the title of ‘Wimborne Worthy of Worthies’. Contenders include St Cuthburga, founder of the Minster Church, and Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, as well as some lesser but equally-significant entrants.

The audience is invited to meet these notables and judge for themselves who most deserves the title. This play was first staged in Wimborne Minster on Millennium Eve in 1999 and revived in June this year.

Now adapted and with new characters introduced, it will be shown on Thursday, December 13 at Allendale House and on Friday, December 14 at the Priest’s House Museum.

Both performances start at 7 pm and the ticket price of £6 includes seasonal refreshments. Tickets are available from Allendale House (01202 884201).

l Examples of how your donation can help: £10.00 contributes towards HLF bid to create online cultural heritage archive, £40.00 pays for a venue for a workshop, £100.00 pays for a one-day theatre workshop for community To support the club, visit: localgiving.com/ charity/wimbornecommunitytheatre Main contact is Barbara Hart, harts@ wimborne47.freeserve.co.uk, telephone 01202 884201.

If you are a charity, sports club, village hall or a community group and would like to join the Do It for Dorset campaign, please contact our Localgiving.com manager, Tracy Melling on 01202 315952.

JOINT INITIATIVE

THE Do It For Dorset Campaign is a joint initiative between the Daily Echo and the Dorset Community Foundation – a registered charity dedicated to promoting charitable giving and grant-making for charities and community groups across the county.

The foundation works with secret millionaires, family businesses and companies which want to give back to their community. The Do It for Dorset Campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for charities signed up to Localgiving.com – where donors and volunteers can find out a bit more and support them.