Arts & Community in Thornbury

This page to be updated.

A COMMUNITY PLAY FOR THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING AREA

The Wigan Girls Performed 7th -10th July 2009

There is nothing quite like a play for drawing together people of all ages, skills, and experiences. When Barbie Davies produced the Thornbury Plays for the Millennium, 1000 people became involved and around 2000 people came to witness them. Barbie would love to see a similar "coming together" of local people for another community adventure, and one which could help ACT along its way.

The production is "The Wigan Girls" which is a wonderful home grown musical which started life as an "A" Level exam piece. It was then expanded by Janet Halfyard now a Senior Academic at The Birmingham Conservatoire. It was orchestrated by Nigel Davies and directed by Barbie at Marlwood School in 1989. It is a piece that has a great deal to commend it. There are hundreds of opportunities for straight acting, singing and or dancing in every sized part possible, whether you are 6 or 86. For instance there is a wonderful Fairground scene and song, from 7.20pm to 7.40pm for infants and younger primary children - and parents!! Then in the first half, there is a rumbustious playground scene and song for older primary school children.

The music is a glorious mixture of traditional folk, Victoriana and modern. It needs a large orchestra to accompany the 300 strong cast. Also for such a large venture, we shall need backstage help of every kind; secretarial, floral art, photography, refreshments and publicity to name but a few!

The Wigan Girls traces the fight for work and dignity by the coal pit brow lasses of Wigan, championed by social researcher Arthur Munby. These Wigan Girls were pilloried by Victorian society when it was discovered that they wore (Shock! Horror!) trousers for work. Their plight and fight became the focus for improving the rights and conditions of many manual labourers of the era. The production shows the divisions between North and South, rich and poor and men and women in a script and music that are full of grit, humour and poignancy. It is enhanced by stunning images of the original women and the working conditions of the poor.

      A Project to Build a New Performance and Arts Venue in Thornbury
Reg Charity No 1120422            Member of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce                    Company No. 6009419
ACT.Thornbury@yahoo.co.uk                                                                                              www.ACTthornbury.org.uk


Home Page	ACTual News	ACT's Aims	Our ACTivities	Early Designs	History	Your Support	ContACT us

ACT Company No 6009419 Registered Charity No. 1120422 Click on links below Home Page ACTual News ACT' s Aims and Principles Our ACTivities & Events guide Early Designs History Your Support ContACT us The Wigan Girls Members' Section


	This page to be updated. A COMMUNITY PLAY FOR THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING AREA The Wigan Girls Performed 7th -10th July 2009 There is nothing quite like a play for drawing together people of all ages, skills, and experiences. When Barbie Davies produced the Thornbury Plays for the Millennium, 1000 people became involved and around 2000 people came to witness them. Barbie would love to see a similar "coming together" of local people for another community adventure, and one which could help ACT along its way. The production is "The Wigan Girls" which is a wonderful home grown musical which started life as an "A" Level exam piece. It was then expanded by Janet Halfyard now a Senior Academic at The Birmingham Conservatoire. It was orchestrated by Nigel Davies and directed by Barbie at Marlwood School in 1989. It is a piece that has a great deal to commend it. There are hundreds of opportunities for straight acting, singing and or dancing in every sized part possible, whether you are 6 or 86. For instance there is a wonderful Fairground scene and song, from 7.20pm to 7.40pm for infants and younger primary children - and parents!! Then in the first half, there is a rumbustious playground scene and song for older primary school children. The music is a glorious mixture of traditional folk, Victoriana and modern. It needs a large orchestra to accompany the 300 strong cast. Also for such a large venture, we shall need backstage help of every kind; secretarial, floral art, photography, refreshments and publicity to name but a few! The Wigan Girls traces the fight for work and dignity by the coal pit brow lasses of Wigan, championed by social researcher Arthur Munby. These Wigan Girls were pilloried by Victorian society when it was discovered that they wore (Shock! Horror!) trousers for work. Their plight and fight became the focus for improving the rights and conditions of many manual labourers of the era. The production shows the divisions between North and South, rich and poor and men and women in a script and music that are full of grit, humour and poignancy. It is enhanced by stunning images of the original women and the working conditions of the poor. A Project to Build a New Performance and Arts Venue in Thornbury Reg Charity No 1120422 Member of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce Company No. 6009419 ACT.Thornbury@yahoo.co.uk www.ACTthornbury.org.uk