Life's irritations number 13
Don't you just hate it when someone changes the rules half way through!
A couple of weeks ago the drama group to which I belonged in my teens, Youth Action Theatre were told by the local council that the scheme that allowed them to use a local schools premises for rehearsals at no cost to them was being discontinued next year. They had no real idea of the financial value of this scheme because the money passed directly from the council to the school so it was a bit of a surprise to learn that it amounted to about £10,000 a year.
Right from the start in 1970 when the group was founded by Eric Yardley the ethos was that membership should be open to all between the ages of 16 and 25 years without cost. There weren't so many groups around then and although there seem to be an influx of 'theatre schools' these days fees are costly at an age when young people are striving for independence, starting work or incurring student loans in order to continue their studies.
The only income the group have is from the sale of tickets which are mostly sold to other young people. Although they produce about four show a year, after production costs, profits are small and certainly wouldn't cover hiring rehearsal space at market value for all the hours required.
A request went out from the management committee to members and supporters for testimonials and this is what I wrote. You can also see it here on the website.
'On Monday 6th September 1971 at the age of 17 I stood in the playground of the old Collis School alongside other similar teenagers, male and female, one or two I know but most I didn't. I can’t say I was shy and lacking in confidence but many of the others were, coming from various schools in the area, we were a motley bunch. Over the coming weeks we got to know and trust each other, learned discipline, commitment and teamwork, grew in confidence, explored possibilities, solved problems and under the direction of a very special man produced a play which was not written down by anyone but sprang from the group. This could have been a risky course of action but no ideas were ridiculed, each was tried and the best included in the pubic performance which resulted less than four months later. New members joined and the group expanded, no one was turned away, the only requirement was an interest in theatre.
Don't you just hate it when someone changes the rules half way through!
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| The Crucible 1972 |
The only income the group have is from the sale of tickets which are mostly sold to other young people. Although they produce about four show a year, after production costs, profits are small and certainly wouldn't cover hiring rehearsal space at market value for all the hours required.
A request went out from the management committee to members and supporters for testimonials and this is what I wrote. You can also see it here on the website.
'On Monday 6th September 1971 at the age of 17 I stood in the playground of the old Collis School alongside other similar teenagers, male and female, one or two I know but most I didn't. I can’t say I was shy and lacking in confidence but many of the others were, coming from various schools in the area, we were a motley bunch. Over the coming weeks we got to know and trust each other, learned discipline, commitment and teamwork, grew in confidence, explored possibilities, solved problems and under the direction of a very special man produced a play which was not written down by anyone but sprang from the group. This could have been a risky course of action but no ideas were ridiculed, each was tried and the best included in the pubic performance which resulted less than four months later. New members joined and the group expanded, no one was turned away, the only requirement was an interest in theatre.
Although I had taken part in
a couple of plays in school and my local community, even attended courses to
put on shows, this was different. The mix of young people came from diverse
backgrounds, some attending private schools and others going to the local
secondary, the fact that there was no charge removed any barriers to joining.
The shared interest and working together on the next project made everyone
equal, each had his or her part to play and that wasn’t necessarily on stage,
each role was as important as the next. No one was belittled or bullied, our
differences were respected and friendships were made for life.
What did it do for me? As
well as life long friends, I worked on six plays, it gave me (and others) the
skill and confidence to study dance and drama at college, allowed me to share
the things I learnt with other young children, equipped me with strategies that
I use in my working life, instilled in me a love of the performing arts that I
still have today and gave me a purpose at an age when many of my contemporaries
were sitting on street corners complaining that there was nothing to do.
And 43 years later, YAT is
still doing all these things for 16 to 25 year olds who are not so different
today. Hundreds of young people (including two generations of the same
families) have experienced the joy of YAT during that time, some have gone on
to pursue professional careers in the theatre, TV and films but they have all
taken part in over 150 plays or shows in a variety of theatre genre, performing
to audiences all over the world.'
How do you put a price on a formative life experience, not just for me but for so many others as well? Young people are so often given a bad reputation as disinterested, lacking in motivation or drinking to excess but these young people have a passion for theatre which they share and want to continue sharing, surely that should be encouraged!
Rumour has it that YAT is like the Hotel California 'you can check out......... but you can never leave'!
And what's on my needles right now?
I have been busy since my last post (all right I know it has been a while) but things seem to be a bit repetitious. I am now on my third, yes third Barbs Koigu Ruffle by Churchmouse yarns. It is a quick knit and a simple pattern, the only down side is the number of stitches that need to be cast on before you can get started as it is knitted sideways.
This is the first one, a gift for a friend who I spent an enjoyable weekend with. It is knitted in an older colour-way of The Natural Dye Studio Dazzle 100% Blue Faced Leicester wool sock yarn, not being sure of her favourite colours I chose this blue green mix.
I knitted the second one for myself and had to cast on even more stitches as I wanted it a little longer. I used a single skein of Lleyn wool and mohair, beautifully hand painted by JillyBean Yarns in a colour-way called 'Whacky Sky'. This British yarn is sourced from small flocks of rare breads and Jill can often even name the animal who produced the wool.
Having seem this second one my Mum said that she would like one as well,so still on my needles is number three. I took her a number of skeins of yarn in different colours from which to choose and she plumped for the autumn colours of Natural Dye Studio Dazzle in Puzzle Combe. I'm two thirds through and should be finished in a day or so.
What will I knit next? I need to find something as I am going on Yarn in the City's Road Trip to Bath Christmas Market next weekend and there will be plenty of knitting time on the bus!
How do you put a price on a formative life experience, not just for me but for so many others as well? Young people are so often given a bad reputation as disinterested, lacking in motivation or drinking to excess but these young people have a passion for theatre which they share and want to continue sharing, surely that should be encouraged!
Rumour has it that YAT is like the Hotel California 'you can check out......... but you can never leave'!
And what's on my needles right now?
This is the first one, a gift for a friend who I spent an enjoyable weekend with. It is knitted in an older colour-way of The Natural Dye Studio Dazzle 100% Blue Faced Leicester wool sock yarn, not being sure of her favourite colours I chose this blue green mix.I knitted the second one for myself and had to cast on even more stitches as I wanted it a little longer. I used a single skein of Lleyn wool and mohair, beautifully hand painted by JillyBean Yarns in a colour-way called 'Whacky Sky'. This British yarn is sourced from small flocks of rare breads and Jill can often even name the animal who produced the wool.
What will I knit next? I need to find something as I am going on Yarn in the City's Road Trip to Bath Christmas Market next weekend and there will be plenty of knitting time on the bus!
