MINI FEST-TASTIC and lots more to come!!!

Hey everyone,

"Our Square Mile" fest took place at the Pensioners on Wed and was a great success. Using all the work and ideas you guys came up with over the past month with Sarah was a great way to showcase and highlight your hard work for your parents and local community. Jess from Siop Laria was very impressed with the physical nature and style of your performance as she is a movement performance artist. So huge thanks to her for making the effort to come along and support your work.

In the meantime, the MUTM plans keep on rollig and the next events are

Trip to AMT tomorrow night to watch Hijinx Theatre perform Full Circle - Eloise from Play in a Day will be performing so please come and support the show if you can - tickets £2.50 if you meet Me at the door.

Saturday 17th May is Global Day at Glanamman Resource Centre - Last year Tess, Jacob and Sophie attended and took part in a workshop and mini performance. This year I hope there will be a few more of us so that we can perform bits of strnagers and some of the work from Our Square Mile. We will rehearse for this on the next 2 tuesdays, k?

Monday 19th May is a youth event in Brynaman with hotdogs, climbing wall and DJ workshops at St Catherine's Hall which I'm volunteering at and everyone is welcome to attend.

Also that week Tess, Tash and Jacob will be on work experience with Mess Up the Mess at the community centre and Ammanford Miners Theatre...Looking forward to seeing you guys soon!!!

The following week is May half term and The CFC Music Video Project starts up with trips to Tinopolis Studios and Makeup workshops and dance sessions. This project will continue through the summer and there are loads of ways you can get involved so watch this space...

Also during the summer there will be drama workshops which I will keep you updated on as we go along.

WELL...I think thats enough to be getting on with and I'm bound to have missed something out!

Hope all you strangers out there are cool and you guys in NZ are looking forward to getting Sarah back in a few weeks time when she gets back from the World conference of theatre for children and young people in Adelaide Australia ... WOW!!! Good luck Sars!!!

Peri xxx

Hey

Hia Strangers....

Just thought id say hello...i havent blogged for ages!!

As Peri mensions on the next comment we had a Physical Theatre Workshop in BCC Thursday...It was great but my legs hurt after.

Also we have a Mini fest as Peri also says 'Our Square Mile' ... cant whait!

Wel speak soon

Owain

xx

Physical theatre in Brynaman is energetic and amazing!

I simply HAD to post about last night's amazing physical theatre workshop at the community centre.

9 young people from the Amman Valley attended and created 2 full hours of incredibly focused and high quality physically devised theatre. The level of concentrationa and standard of work was excellent and Sarah and I are both VERY impressed with the maturity of the group.

Only 6 days now until the mini fest at the pensioners hall and I've no doubt that some of last night's work will be included in some way or another....

Looking forward to putting the structure of work together on Tuesday and planning the stories/images you guys want to tell the audience.

Please remind your parents and friends that we need an audience on Wednesday at 7.30 (only for 30 mins or so) and that tea and biscuits will be provided!

See you Tuesday!!!

Peri ;)

Exciting things still going on...!

Hey everyone,

Just a quick post to update everyone on the world of Strangers - post Strangers in Brynaman.

The group are currently still meeting every week for physical theatre and devising workshops with Sarah and Peri at the Pensioners Hall and coming up with some FANTASTIC ideas and possibilities. We have now set a date for the "Our Square Mile" mini drama festival wich will take place at either the Aelwyd Hall or the Pensioners on Wednesday 23rd April . . . only 2 weeks away!!!

We're going to use the event as an opportunity to present our work to parents and friends during the evening and it will start at 7.30pm.

Its all about the way we feel about the area we live and work in and what Brynaman means to us...ITS GOING TO BE WELL COOL!!!

Looking forward to Tuesday, Guys. And if you're reading this in Wales and feel like you've been missing out - come and join us again - you're MORE than welcome!!!

Peri :)

A few months on.....

Just a message to see how people are? I know slough are only just breaking up for holidays (ive been off for 3 weeks and i go back monday its been seriously boring) so i hope you all have a nice break. We've been slowly getting busier lol with more drama to do and gatherings/meetings to organise. Some of us met up today to arrange a parrty lol whilst peri chris and julianna worked on an old dvd adding welsh subtitles... ITS ALLL GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.
So anyone got any ideas for futurew strangers???


[Bounce Back]

Alex

(p.s. we've kidnapped sarah mwahahahaha)

IDEAS

Me and haddy sat down and brainstormed.!! Sensible conversation and everything. We feel strangers should create a cluster of performances where we all create individual performances (ie. monologues, dance, drama, art etc.) and Create their own ideas. Mine and Haddies idea- A Contemporary dance/Physical Theatre representing an arguement with a monologue over the top where each side dance and monologue respond to each other. And possibly using Neon UV paints to create something out of nothing. ( its hard to write down but we know what i mean)

Hope everyone is ok..xxx

THIS BLOG IS STILL ALIVE....HONEST!!!

Hey Strangers round the world,

Just been talking to Alex Griffiths about ideas for keeping the Strangers project going for a bit longer while Sarah Jones is here in Wales - HOORAY!!!! Sorry NZ that we've stolen her a for a little while.

Really good to see that Polly and Laura from the Welsh criw have been blogging while I was in Italy and that there is still life in this blog yet!!!

We all still need to get back together in the 3 countries to watch our films of the performances and have a kind of Strangers Finale Event in Wales - not sure how possible this is in Slough and NZ but where there's a will there's a way! And inventive ideas are always welcome here...! So get blogging everybody!!!!!

Alex tells me that some Wales Strangers have been discussing where we go from here and the idea is evolving about some street theatre opportunities to "spread the word of Strangers" so to speak, and more physical/dance ideas for the future. I'm sure that Sarah and I can come up with some exciting workshops and schedule some inventive programmes for you all to get involved in and make sure you have your say about and learn to lead yourselves through as well.

May I also add how proud I am of all the Strangers who were able to attend the Heritage Lottery "Your Square Mile" event on Saturday. The Dynamix Youth Consultation leaders were well impressed with your knowledge and understanding of heritage and how you obviously all gell so well as a group - "Everybody needs good Strangers"!!! I think oneof my favourite bits of the day was taking Barney the Puppet on a tourist guide of Brynaman. He's sooooo cute! As soon as I get the photos off Tashy's phone I'll post a pic on here - or maybe Tashy could do it quicker...? Race you Tash!

Anyway, really really sorry that Strangers had to be postponed to next Tuesday, but something good did come out of it...Alex and Peter attended a community meeting with me and Juliana about getting things going in the village and by the end of the meeting we were all discussing an exciting Lantern Parade of all the different groups with masks and music and lights and fire and circus!!!! Thats my kind of village event if ever I heard of one!!!

Also I just need to add a big congratulations to Peter and Alex for joining up on the Youth Council - YAY! You guys are some of the most motivated and positive young people I know...as well as all the rest of you strangers WORLDWIDE!!!

Right must sleep soon so Ciao for now!! Bella Pasta Bellissimo!!! Yay!!!!

Peri/

missing you all!!!!!

hi guys!!!
i just wanted to say how mush i am missing the stangers project i can garantee that we were all having loads of fun.
maybe we could talk to u on skype soon.
or come and visit on a trip! hint hint peri!

Hiia everyone

Hope everyone had fun in the shows.

I cant wait to see the films!!!

Its going to be so funky!!! lol

Well i hope everyone is having fun in whatever your doing!!!!

See you soon.

Love

Laura

xxxxx

Dear New Zealand Post Show Skypers

Guys, thanks soooo much for getting up early on Saturday to share the buzzy moment of having just opened our Strangers Slough show.

With your help and support over the past chunk of a year, we told a great story with some wonderful characters and our audience were wowed by what WE have created together.

I must apologise though to you all if at all you felt that we somehow bulldozed your beautiful Maori song by singing along with the tune at the end of your rendition.

It was meant to show you that we too knew it in our hearts and that it has become an anthem for us these past few months. Of course, what it must have come across as was a load of excited teenagers laa - ing away in a hyper sort of way. We were hyper, yes!

When we used your song in our show we used it in sync with a physical theatre boat, gently swaying as the settlers arrive on the shores of New Zealand to hear this beautiful melody. Our actors then sang it in Maori, then hummed it quietly whilst signing and speaking the words, 'If I were a bird on the wing etc.' It was definitely one of our favourite elements in rehearsal.

It highlighted for us the effects of colonialisation, how often the real beauty of a people is overlooked in favour of one's own blind intentions and desires. And it has happened all throughout history all over the world.

What I am trying to say is sorry if we offended in any way and that truly, truly, we are so grateful that you shared your folk music with us and we now carry it in our hearts for ever.

Thank you.

Looking forward to seeing all three plays together on DVD now and sending big love v ibes to you all.

Peace n love all ,

Lizzie x

Happy St David's Day Strangers

I've just seen Peri off in her little green car, back down the M4 on her way from seeing the Slough Opening night.

It was great to have her around last night to help rush around getting things sorted and to greet audiences and manage the skype with New Zealand. We all felt very connected with our pals across the globe.

But alas, for me, Peri has to return to you lovely Edders to get you all ready for your next showcase of your fab story.

So, I hope it goes swimmingly and that you have a wonderful day in honour of strangers and your homeland's celebration day.

Daffodils all round.

Lizzie x

St 'Fangans'

Hello all

Just eating my breakfast and getting ready to drive to St Fagins for the last (scheduled) appearence of Wales' 'Strangers' at our national museum. Went there yesterday to look at the set up and it is going to be brilliant. The sun is shining and i can't wait to see all the Strangers again (two weeks seems like FOREVER!) Good luck everybody and again WELL DONE to Strangers World Wide for all your hard work and creativity. I think you'll all agree it's been well worth it.

naTasha (Wales SM)

Post-show Slough Skype

Skype between Nelson and Wales after Slough's opening night!
Strangers Magical Nelson T-Shirts!

Pre-Slough Skype Blogging

We are so organised we have finished setting up for our post-Slough show skype early! I'm here with Charlotte now waiting for the others to show up. We are so excited and hope that the Slough group will have as much fun post-show skyping as we did with Wales! We've got questions to ask but if they are as crazy as we were post show then not much chat will happen! Instead maybe we'll just sing eachother a tune or two!
Jess has just got here and is not sure if he is up for the day. Hopefully we can persuade him to enjoy the moment! By for bnow Mr Bloggg-talk soon!

Mel's Video

Hey Mel, I'm Tess :)

*Waves*

I Go To Strangers In Wales..

You Asked For People To Let You Know What We Think Of Your Video, Tis Very Awesome!

I Love Evanescence, This Is a Drawing Of Amy Lee..

Well Done And Keep It Up!

Hope You're Okay, And Enjoying :)

X x x <3

strangers!!!!!!!!

heyyy its tash from wales!! just wana say that our play was awesome and evrything went smoothly!!!!!!! i felt guilty cause all our rehearsals was takin up our half term and i started 2 complain but wen we did the play everythin was sooooo worth it and i wud definately do it again!!!!!!

anyway the first night was amazing and we wer all really xcited 2 finally get 2 do our play which has taken ages 2 do........ so it was awesome nd our set was AMAZIN!!!!! nd the mime film was def 1 of the best parts of it( :'( i cudnt do it) ....... but the second night we werent as xcited nd it didnt feel as good but aftr a while we all felt awesum again nd wer in a way relieved it was ovr but upset at the same time!!!!!!


So soon wer gna start writing a new 1 cant wait!!!!!!!!!!! lol its bn awesum 6 months met loads of new ppl nd learnt loads!!! oh ye nd me nd peter went on the radio advertising lol twas funny but missed out on breakfast :( ................. cant wait 4 next play sooooooo xcited!!!!!



tash xXx

A "Jesy" View on the Strangers experience

Tena Koutou Katoa (a modern protical from me 2 u bloggers right?)
good to c this thing still going strong and buzi fof the past month. (my absence).

now, the "view", haha
The perfomances got a good feedbacks from the audiances, which is what i rated the over allshows on, oh, and how our actor/ess performed.. I, personaly, not to bragg or anything got lots of unexpected positive feedback from teachers and other persons on the nelson streets that i strugled to remeber their names....whoopz,

before shows the others would get real nervous, but I felt kynda out of the group cause I was fine. almost not into it. how RUDE!!!

oh well,
PIZZA is here now

Ka kite ano koutou!!!

Jesy

hey guys this is the strangers crew from nelson nz
Our performance was OFF DA HOOK, CHOICE AND PRIMO
we enjoyed the summer rehearsing. strangers was an unbelievable
experience we will never forget. we liked meeting new people and liked being involved in an unique production. We learned alot more acting skillz, how to connect with our characters, and the History of different places. We cried when it ended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! big shout outz to da slough krew good luck, and well done wales.

my video :D haha

Hey,
Just thought I would share this video of me playing guitar...
I've been taking guitar lessons at school and thought I would
make a video :D Playing guitar took up most of my time after
DRAMA CLASSES WERE CUT!!!

Hope you all like it and let me know what you think...
Mel
xoxo

IM BACK!!!!

Hey everyone!

Just thought I'd stop in and say HI as I havent been on in a while...
Just trying to get myself together and become a regular teen again!
Woohoo... but being normal kinda sucks... atleast I think it does!
Heck! Everyone involved in Drama has to have a wierd side :D
(Especially Peri and Lizzy!) only joking :D

Anyway, It looks like two of the productions went REALLY well! I cant believe
that its already performance time.. it seems like only yesterday that
we were told about the project and we weren't really sure how well
it was going to go.. or if there would even be a final production!

Anyway, enough of memory lane! ... I just wanted to say CONGRATS to everyone involved in the
project and good luck to the Slough team who should be performing
soon! Its going to be great... I wish I could be there in person to see it
but unfortunately I'm 11 hours away :( But I suppose everything happens
for a reason and HOPEFULLY there will be more performances?!

Anyhoo..
Luv ya all and wish everyone the best!
Mel
xx

PS. My school dropped drama and music from our school curriculum so I'm
not the happiest person at the moment... :( I even started learning to play
piano and my guitar skills are WAY better now.. I even performed on stage
doing singing and guitar playing with a friend... and now its all over :( it sucks!

ur pictures!

hello fellow chums :)

hope u r all well :) i am thankooo!

jus had to say, this may sound wellll sad, but i have everyone's pictures stuck to my corkboard in my room!

but i'm not so sad as to like say hello to them every morning nd gud nite every nite haha wel.. maybe the morning but that's all i swear!

anywayyy, haha..

i'm very bored and very very sad that the production's over, but hey it's not entirely over!

check out my profile or whatever it is u call it on this thing..

keep in touchie!

love, tessss xxxxxxx<3

deslie message

hi wales new zealand i play mum and gwen ive had so much fun with both charaters we just done the mountin in a very spiritual way and me and talent who plays julie hav done peeping tom.were having so much fun and i hope we still stay in contact.

hey guys :)

hey guys!

wow i cant believe we've actually done the perfoormances, it was so quick!

i've got to say, this has been the best thing i've ever done.

i've met so many great people, and all with the same hobby as me, being a drama queen!

*cough* peter *cough* ;)

well done to everyone, and thank you.

you're the best!

x x x x x tess<3>

WOW!

Just wanted to say a MASSIVE congratulations to the Brynaman team. Came to see the show on Saturday night and it was amazing! So much focus and concentration onstage, everyone pulling together and helping each other. I shed a little tear when the two Gwen's climbed the mountain - Peri shed a whole bucketful. The music and lighting and the script made it beautiful, as did the two Gwens, but most of all it was because everyone was working together so brilliantly. I could probably spend the next half hour or so boring the pants off everyone with all of my favourite bits....but I won't. It is enough to say that you were all fantastic...every single one of you....you really pulled together as an ensemble and it absolutely worked. I wanted to give you a standing ovation at the end because I was so impressed.... and I'm not easily impressed! Well done to everyone involved, onstage and off! Eloise :-)

My first .... Blog ( is that the write way to put it )

heya everyone!!

i hav found out how to use it!

i suppose now most of our shows hav finished this will be the only way to talk to u guys.

well i got to go

bye bye

xxxxx

Polly

Morning Wales and Slough, Good evening Nelson

It is now Tuesday morning here beneath Y Mynydd Du and the sun is just rising. Three days after our performacnces in Wales, the land of song, and I am still excited by the buzz in the air around our achievements. Today I head west to the sea in Pembroke, where my actual roots really really are and take part in a Global Youth Networking Event where I have been specially invited to do a presentation on our project - Strangers across the Globe.

How cool are we?!? Very.

Tonight, however I shall return and meet with Criw Cymru for an evaluative debriefing session at the Pensioners Hall and I'm really excited about that too!

What have we really learnt from this project? We know how much fun it has been over the last 6 months but what will we actually take away with us? One thing I've learnt, asna I'm sure many others, is to simply write on a blog for the fist time in my life! I remember asking the Wales group in September whether anyone had ever used a webcam for a conversation with someone elsewhere and noboday in the room ever had. Now that seems strange as its so normal to us to get up at 8 in the morning and roll out of bed for tea and toast with Strangers Nelson!

I have also learnt that in Brynaman people really are "kind" like Stranger tells Gwen on the Mountain. So many volunteers pulled together on Friday and Saturday night - not to mention all the staff who had no choice!!! People were packing folders full with info on the project and selling programmes and collecting feedback forms and stopping some audience members from leaving at the interval when they thought it was the end! Jess from Siop Laria (the shop used in the Miming film!) was there and loved the line about the tic tac! Staff from the centre loved the show and all the local references, epecially "This is Brynaman Public Hall" - thank you Brian for allowing us to use the cinema for the film and supporting our ideas.

The whole of our play was founded on the cinema in Brynaman still being used today as in 1926 and I think that we should arrange an group outing to celebrate it soon! Even though some people have already started this trend with Elmo in Grouchland! ;)

Anyway, I think I should probably be getting ready to drive now and preparing my thoughts for the presentation but I really just wanted to say - Thank you to everyone and I'm really looking forward to seeing Criw Cymru tonight and Slough Massive on Thursday. Nelson, perhaps we can catch up on the webcam when Sarah's back in Wales - I'm sure we'll all be missing each other by then, won't we?!

Wish me presentation luck! xxx

Hey guys!

Just wanted to say that I had a real awesome time with everyone. I had so much fun, even though it was hard work somtimes and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. I think we all did a good job. I'm actually missing you already...

Congratulations to Wales, sounds like you had great performances!
Good luck, and enjoy the rest of your time to Slough!

Thanks to everyone,
Charlotte

Strangers Review

Six months work is a long time for what is essentially a small youth project, most average scale tours would take less time. But then this hasn’t been your usual ‘small’ project. A piece of theatre, devised by 3 separate youth groups, directed by 3 directors, designed by 3 designers, all merged to make one play performed by the different parties in, Brynamman, Wales, Slough, England and Nelson, New Zealand. No, certainly not the usual thing you see in theatres, anywhere!

I’d first like to say a massive well done and thanks to everyone involved, it really has been a collaborative effort, and there in lies the ‘something’ that has made this project very different indeed. Collaboration’s.

Theatre is by its nature a collective and a highly collaborative experience, where different people with different ideas come together to produce a play/performance/piece of art, for an audience in a live situation. But with Strangers, how the play was made, the very sharing of ideas and melding of cultures, personalities, and the journeys taken, were the celebrated basis for the performance, rather than a component hidden form the audiences attention.

This is all unique to Strangers, and because it is unique, it has to be seen as a grand experiment. For me it was ultimately rewarding, even if the path was at times unclear. Communication was key in this, as it would be in any theatre show, but because of the nature of the project it was vital, and a lack of it would have been catastrophic. So the Blog is brilliant, an almost uncharted venue with which to show and explore ideas. It really helped when you needed to check you were going in the same direction as everyone else. Also, the 8pm/9am Wales - New Zealand production meetings, yet another unique aspect to this project. If anything, there could have been more sharing, but saying this, when do you stop sharing and start actually doing?

So, going into this not really knowing what to expect, meant it was easier to take it as it comes, trying to ground the design in the ideas of my group, as well as respecting what was happening in the other camps, this was a personal challenge for me, and one that attracted me to the project. I did have reservations however, over what we could achieve; not forgetting that this was an experiment. An experiment with a new youth theatre comprised of young people, most of whom had never devised or acted in theatre before. But I was to learn, the journey and the process was just as important to the projects ethos as the performance itself. Because as said before, the process was celebrated not kept in the theatre wings.

In fact what we created was of excellent quality. I love working with young people, you often find that they uncomplicated things and come up with amazingly clear ideas. Multiple that by three youth companies and something special happens. In particular the scene with Lt. Charles on a bench, (on the projection screen, in New Zealand) talking to Julie sat on a bench on stage (in Wales), while the ghosts of who they are discussing Waltz around stage. A scene not only symbolic of journeys and strangers, but describing perfectly the power in the collaboration. If you were to witness this done by a National Theatre, it would be celebrated and talked about for years. This just one moment of many; not forgetting ghosts coming through the cinema screen and the physical theatre creation of the black mountain, moments all worthy of a larger stage.

I learnt a lot on Strangers as I hope did all involved. With the Slough end of the project still to go, it will interesting to see in months to come how this project is viewed. But one thing is clear, ‘the experiment‘, whether successful or not, this time or next. It’s very process and collaboration has given young people an insight into different worlds and opened up the arts in a very unpretentious and non-school-type way. Long may learning like this continue.

Alex Robertson

Well Done Wales!

Hi all,

I just want to say a huge well done to Wales! It was a fantastic performance and you all did a great job! It left wanting to see more :) I also want to say a big well done to Peri and all the others who have been running around behind the scenes for months, you've done an excellent job with Strangers! I know you won't rest much Per, especially with St. Fagans coming up but just wanted to say great job!

Juls

WOW!

Hey Guys

The title kind of says it all for me, wow. I can't think of another way to describe it, looking back at all of the work that has gone into this performance and all of the weird and wonderful ideas that made the performances so great! I would like to say a MASSIVE thanks to everyone who helped with this project, the writers, the actors, the crew, the volunteers and the randomers who got roped in, without each and every one of you this project wouldn't have been so great! so thank you! and of course without Peri, Lizzie and Sarah this wouldn't have even happened, so absolutely massive thanks to you!
*New Zealand, well done! your photos look great and i can't wait to see how you adapted it all together!
*Wales, you're all fab! well done! love u loads!
*Slough, i cannot wait to see how your play goes! the best of luck! you'll all be GREAT!

Anyway before i burst into floods of emotional tears i had better shut up! Speak to you all soon! and enjoy the buzz!

Pete xxx

Last Night

Hey everyone!
Thought I'd blog here for the first time and tell everyone how last night went as the last show in Wales.
It was so much fun =] although Alex R needs to stop waving his stick around and stop calling me plain odd. LOL. Everything went smoothly and the audience loved the play (Y)
Here's hoping everything goes well in Slough!!

Lots of Luck and Love <33
Lubbi xox

IMAGES FROM STRANGERS-MAGICAL NELSON!

Opening number Strangers
Opening Number Strangers
The boat to NZ
Gwen on the Black Mountain
Mr Sillar song

Julie and Settlers

Mr Sillar travels to Slough

Settlers
Mr Sillar
Percival runs away

These photos were taken by Anita Peters and Murray Hedwig.

Wow!

Hey Everybody.

I wish had time to sit here all evening and write about all my feelings on the performance last night in great detail but I will aim to do that tomorrow as there is somewhere very important I need to be this evening. Its called our Ammanford Miners Theatre and our final performance and I can't wait!

I was absolutely blown away by the perfromance in Wales last night and I can assure you that our audience felt the same. Lizzie absolutely loved the show and is really ecxcited about the final countdown to their show.

Everyone was focussed and told our stories with pride and dignity. The audience clapped and cheered and whistled and whooped for ages and ages because they knew what a massive achievement has taken place and they could tell how much energy has gone into this project over 6 whole months and more.

Tonight we just need to enjoy telling our story one more time as although we are lucky enough to be able to do an extra performance in Cardiff in 2 weeks time (YAY!) it will be an abridged version and we won't have the lights and special effects in the same way. Tonight really is our shining moment so lets get out there and blow this new audience into the cosmos with our magnificent beautiful and very speacial show.

I have added a photo of Tasha Moore as Anahera to show Anita the costume designer in NZ. Anita, thank you for making our show extra special with your hard work, and of course that same messgae goes out to everyone in SLough NZ and Wales - WOW, what a global team effort!

Break legs guys and see you tonight.

xxxxx

BIG congrats

Just wanted to say a TREMENDOUS congratualtions to Nelson Strangers who have now finished their section of the project, an ENORMOUS well done to Wales Strangers for a terrific opening night and a MASSIVE good luck to Slough Strangers who have another two weeks. It's come around so quickly but i think everybody will agree it was definitly worth the hard work and blood spilled!

Wales- Keep up the energy and focus for tonight's performance and we will (as alex says) ROCK THIS TOWN! (and i may even try not to screw up another sound effect- we'll see....!!!)

Love and lots of respect to all companies

naTasha (Wales)

STRANGERS BECOME FRIENDS

After a final performance the Nelson Strangers group said goodbye through songs, prayer, group hugs and all other manner of things. Over the last 8 months we have become friends rather than Strangers not only with eachother but in sprit across the globe. It was with great joy that we received news by text today that Strangers Brynamman blew the audience away! Myself, L'hibou(SM) and Anita(Costume designer) did a standing ovation on the street for all you Welsh crew!
Last night and today are a little sad for us post-show Nelsonians but it is so exciting to hear all about your Welsh journey as you take Strangers on its next leg. Thankyou for telling our story for us! Can't wait to hear about Slough's live on skype.
Nelson lot get on this blog and share your thoughts on the show, project and any other related themes. Say hi to the other Strangers overseas and make the most of the magic while the vibrations of our play still linger.
Big thanks to all of you, staff, actors, crew, cast in Slough, Wales and Nelson for making this crazy idea I had over 18months ago the beautiful beast it has become today. Mess Up The Mess could not have done it without any of you.
Enjoy your last show Wales! Spread the Strangers vibe!

Sarah-Nelson

OM DAISIES

Well that was our first performance of three lol and it went better than most rehearsals with a few cleverly hidden line mistakes the play was TREMENDOUS. Everyone acted to their upmost ability telling the story and improvising bits that made it even better. Im so exicited about tomorrows performance.! COME ON PEEPS WE CAN ROCK THIS TOWN!

Alex

(Happy Valentines day for thursday) And break a leg to all in Slough. And congrats to New Zealand for achieving this splendiforous task of Strangers.

First night of performance

hihihi peeps!

just got home from the miners theatre and im so hyper. Instead of talking my parents to death I thought I'd post a comment on the blog and share ma feelings.

IT WAS AMAZING !!!!! it was really, really koolio! I cant wait to do it again tomorrow. Its gonna be soooo sad after the last performance.

I hope it all went really well and koolio and amzingly for everyone in New Zealand, and I hope all will go really well and koolio and amazingly for everyone is Slough. yayayayay to everybody!!!!!

lurv
Haddy

Here we go Wales - Lets have fun!!!!

Hello everyone across the strangers globe,

This will have to be very quick!

This is a special message to you all but especially to the Wales Criw who are about to go up in 5 hours time.

BREAK LEGS!!! TYNNWCH COESAU!!!

Our play is such a beautiful thing and you've all worked extremely hard for 6 months - tonight is the fun bit we've all been waiting for and working so hard to bring together across the world. And guess what? Its not over yet as you get to play it all over again tomorrow AND you all get a copy of the show filmed by Roger and Paz to keep. And we're also going to do a mini performance of it in St Fagans in 2 weeks time...YAY!

Tonight, lets tell our wonderful stories loud and proud and show Ammanford that the Amman and Swansea Valley (and Pontarddulais!) youth here are extremely talented and amazing.

ENJOY THE SHOW!!!!

Peri xxx

GO FOR IT BRYNAMMAN!

We are 2 nights in with only one to go and I woke up this morning thinking of you guys on the other side of the world. I'm so excited for you Brynamman crew because you are going to have a wonderful time telling all our stories.
Everybody over here is so excited about us all getting together in a month or two for a Strangers movie night to watch each groups version of our play and the project doco too. I hear you have inventive ways of showing the battle sequence and I'm intrigued to see how it all fits together. Now hears a funny thing most of my family can't watch the show as Nelson is a bit far to travel of a night however they are all coming to see your show in Wales instead! So remember to tell every single member of the audience your story as I'm hoping for excellent reviews from my mum when she rings on Sunday morning!
Nelson group I'd just like it noted on the blogg for prosperity that I am very proud and humbled by what all of you have acheived. It has been a very special summer and I'm sure you'll top it off with a final cresendo of a performance tonight!
So go do it Brynamman! Hang in there Slough-it'll be your turn too! Keep up the great work Nelson! Strangers rocks!

Sarah- Nelson Director

Hoping legs break all round

Greetings and the traditional wish to the Nelson crew for the big night - also really looking forward to seeing the Wales production this weekend. Sounds like everyone's doing brilliantly and I'm really pleased to have played a part in it. Remember, nerves are good - an actor's fuel!

The Tech is done...now onto the Welsh Dress(er..)

Hey Everyone,

Before I go to bed and dream of strangers and lights and suitcases and a huge wardrobe and masks and fog horns and Mr Sillar's HUMUNGOUS white rocker hairstyle, and cardboard recycled tubes and whistles and all my other favourite things, like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, I would like to post a short note.

I am incredibly excited about our project and our performances at the weekend.

The young people in Wales have given up (pretty much!) their entire half term holiday to dedicate their time, energy, enthusiasm and creative talents and to continue building up a truely magnificent youth theatre company with professionalism to be applauded.



This week is only halfway through but we have already achieved sooooo much.

The set and costumes are beautiful and practical and absolutely perfect to assist us in telling our magnificent stories from around the world. The miming in Brynaman film is AMAZING!!!! Sub real are our favourite film crew in the world and do excellent interviews as well as encouraging an appropriate amount of fun and games during break times including frisbee throwing in the park and bendy sword fighting - BUT NOT ON THE STAGE!!!!!!! The characters are growing larger than life by the minute and voices are getting louder as the days progress...thank heavens!!!!! And most of all, we have an incredibly beautiful and important story to tell that we created ourselves from 6 months of extremely hard work and a passion to pass it on to others.

Peri's grey hair is only growing at is normal rate, Natasha is building up her sound and lighting crew every day, Alex R is keeping the crew calm with coffee and the cast calm with a loud voice ;) We have discovered a saviour in Rhian, and Carrie's commitment and support is absolutley amazingly fabulous and we long to have them on board with all future productions!!!

The youth crew has dwindled slightly but India and Louisa are wicked and pulling the final seams together, literally.

This is a huge big massive shout out to all the strangers across the world - NZers break legs in 7 hours time! We in Wales will join you through the webcam at 8.45am here whilst we have our breakfast at the community centre and long to find out how your opening night goes....

Slough, now that this blog is easily accessible to all, please think of us whilst you bask in your wonderous extra 2 weeks!!!! We're only a teensy bit envious but soooo much more excited and we just can't wait to see Lizzie and Mikey and Dan on Friday and show them our version of your Slough Stories too.

Anyway, I really should probably go to sleep now as I need to get up bright and early for the NZ post show skype and then go great guns on the morning rehearsals pre Wales Dress.

NZers, we're all thinking of you as we go to sleep tonight and REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to talking to you after your show.


BREAK LEGS!!!!

Lots of Love from Peri xxx

THE FINAL WEEK

Wow.... when i looks back its been just under a year now that this idea was first announced with joy in peri's heart to the youth of brynaman (Not many people turned up on the first night now we have had loads of people come and go). The film crew asked me 2 questions today 'whats been your greatest moment' and 'whats been your worst'. Ive had so many great times to name them all and i honestly hand on my heart never ever had one bad moment.

Well im gonna stop before i get to emotional.
This was meant to be a *sob sob sob* message just to wish all they guys worldwide to break a leg!

Alex



(this was one highlight during the october halfterm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLJ5xPakCo4

Dress rehearsal is here!

Its the Nelson dress rehearsal today! Can't actually believe we are finally 36 hours away from show time. I'll keep this brief as I've got silly amounts to do. Do your self proud Nelson and tell our story with all the detail and excitement it requires. If you do this it will be a beautiful experience for the audience and you as performers too. I'm very proud of all of you and know that you will raise your games even higher tonight and further more tomorrow.

Brynamman enjoy the show! Peri has told me all about it. I'm so dissapointed that I don't get to see your show live as I'm particularly keen to see your version of our battle! I'm confident you'll do the Strangers project huge credit with energetic and inspired performances. Really looking forward to the video.

Slough make the most of this last week or so. Every rehearsal is precious!

Will let you all know how it goes on Thursday morning,

Go be a Stranger

Sarah

Break a Leg!!

A strange expression but meant with only the best intentions. Wending you all Edders and NZedders a big ,warm, smiley, squeezy hug to say good luck this week with last minute rehearsals and opening nights and exciting things like that.

I'm sure there are mixed feelings abound, from mild butterflies to downright jitters and crises of confidence; from quiet anticipation to hyper excitement.

All this is normal and where you will find solace is in the person standing right next to you, feeling the same, playing the game, telling the story with you.

I hope you really enjoy this dive for the line guys. You are amazing. Truly. You have been part of something totally unique and should be soooooo proud of yourselves. The committment, talent, friendship, warmth and imagination you have brought to this crazy venture has really paid off so far and has made Strangers what it is!

Keep up the pace, the focus and the fun! We here in Slough are right behind you, feeling it all with you (and quietly thankful that we have a few extra days rehearsal than you...mind you, we only achieved a full cast last week! AAGH!! But what a cast they are. Yes, you Slough ites. If any of you are reading this).

Big Big Love to all in Brynamman and Nelson.

From your pal in Slough, Lizzie xxxxx

P.s. Can't wait to see you guys in Wales on Friday afternoon. Give me lots of jobs!
Sarah and Co, wish too that I could physically be there to help out and enthuse with you all on Wednesday but we'll certainly be connected in spirit as you storm Nelson audiences.
xx

Very excited!!!

Hi Everyone!

Don't know if any of you will remember me? Worked on the 'Play in a Day' with the Wales branch of this ever growing dynasty. Just wanted to say that I came along to a rehearsal the other night and saw some outstanding acting going on - keep up the good work you talented bunch!

Been with Peri this week helping to get things ready.... all very exciting. Really looking forward to joining in next week with bits and pieces and can't wait for the final performances!!

Loving this blog. Some really interesting things going on here.

I've been doing my yoga (not really) to keep calm in the run up and I'll get Peri to do some too so that we don't have to experience 'Nasty Peri' next week! Good luck to everyone all over the world!!!! :-)

Eloise

Video welcome from Slough

One week to go!

There's only one week to go untill opening night here in Nelson! We spent yesterday working out costume changes which mainly happen live on stage for all 50 characters! It was our first time in the space too which was pretty exciting.

Today we have a run to show the tech team the shape of the show and I hope the cast just enjoy telling the story and work together to solve any problems that sneek up on them!

Am really excited to see how well everything is going in both Slough and Brynamman. Its been cool pulling together to make an international shared programme, sound scape and pre-show project video.

It would be great to hear all the thoughts and expectations of the cast and crew in each project. If you get a chance let us know which bits of the show your really enjoying and maybe what your finding challenging in rehearsals.

Keep up the fantastic work everybody!

Sarah- Nelson Director

Soooo Excited!

Here we are in Wales in rehearsal on the NZ school scene. This is Polly our Julie character and thats Tash our Stage manager in the background - working hard as usual! Unfortunatley Charlie, our Miss Kershaw in the photo on the right, has been poorly this last week and had to be rushed to hospital. However she is making a speedy recovery with a mind to get back into the swing and ready for production week. We all miss her very much though and can't wait to have her back! GET WELL SOON CHARLIE!!!

In the meanitime we have now started working on the chorus in betweeny sections to drive the story forward and things are coming along nicely...we have a half masked chorus as well as full masked shadow people of the Welsh villagers like the baker and librarian and Mine Owner. Our chorus has become very quirky and they're a bit like some of the aliens from Doctor Who!

Anyway, we've now received all of Dan Solo's tunes from Slough and can't wait to start putting everything together tonight. The Wales Film crew Subjective Realities are on the case in prep for the preshow introduction film and the sound bites of the actors introducing themselves - should be ariving the post v. soon!

Its all so exciting now but we must remember to stay focussed, look after ourselves - i.e. make sure we all get lots of sleep and plenty of vitamins and most of all ENJOY EVERY LAST MOMENT!

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well and looking forward to the ever looming performance (only 15 days here! EEEKK!) I know I can't wait to see any dress rehearsal videos or crazy stuff like that! Anyway I just popped on to let you know that I just looked on Carmarthenshire Connect (for those of you lovely people who don't know they're a small team who go round publicising community events like our wonderful project!) Strangers has officially taken over their homepage! there are two video's, one of Peri and one of Alex! (if you scroll down theirs also a picture of Peri from here former days, along with a collection of other randomers also known as BASE from our party on Friday!)

this is the link: Carmarthenshire Connect

(you have to scroll down a bit, past a bit about play areas to get to BASE's photo, but it is worth it!)

Hope your all well! and learning lines!

luvness. Pete xxx

thanks!

Julie's introduction