Keep Holding my Hand

Keep Holding my Hand

6-7 April 2017, Corpus Playroom Theatre, Cambridge.  

On Tour around Care Homes in Cambridgeshire during 2017-2018

Theatre shows often portray issues such as mental health challenges. But our play ‘Keep Holding my Hand’, premiered last week in Cambridge, has gone further by bringing in local people who have suffered with difficulties and portraying their stories realistically.

We were lucky enough to perform ‘Keep Holding My Hand’ in ADC Corpus Playroom theatre.  Given the amazing feedback from the audience and the repercussion of the play, now it seems quite common sense to show the piece from a “proper” stage with lighting and theatre facilities. But the truth is that is not easy to find an organisation ready to give an opportunity to an integrated theatre company like us. And this is why we are incredibly thankful to ADC theatre for trusting us and giving voice to whom often do not have one.

From both nights we had an audience of 70 people who left us amazing feedback such the one from Valerie:

This kind of theatre gives the actors a unique opportunity to be witnessed in their transformations. I feel it helps them acknowledge how far they have travelled, to be able to perform their stories in front of an audience, to be seen rather than to hide. To be part of, rather than excluded. It certainly helps them find confidence. Thank you for making such journeys possible!

Here is the video that That's Cambridge TV produced after attending the performance on the night of the premiere: 

 

 

A black and white poster showing a woman in a white shirt performing a play called: You, Me and the Spanish Civil War

You Me and the Spanish Civil War

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YOU ME AND THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Something a bit different!

Combining a deep educational background in Physical Theatre with our emphasis for social projects, Acting´s Now Artistic Director Marina Pallares-Elias has produced the solo performance ‘You, Me and the Spanish Civil War’.

The idea comes up from an irresistible desire for not letting her father’ story be forgotten, lost behind the shadows of information coming from established sources and not from the individuals.

“My father risked his life during Franco’s dictatorship. But individuals’ stories won’t fill history books. It is my duty to bring you his voice to keep it alive”.

Performance Details

The format of this show is very unique. It has been created to be performed in a very special place: your living room.  

If you are interested in hosting this theatre play at your house, drop us an email at info@actingnow.co.uk.  The only thing you will need to do is bring your friends for the night.

A poster for the community theatre project made by people with mental health challenges showing a drawing of a face with red

You Are Not Going To Stop Me

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A poster for the community theatre project made by people with mental health challenges showing a drawing of a face with red
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YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STOP ME

“You Are not Going to Stop me” is an original play devised by people with mental health challenges in partnership with the charity Make, Do and Mend which makes us face the uncertainty of living without hope, and experience the beauty of loving without being judged.

During the process of 50+ sessions, participants dared to exceed their creative limits and understand the issues they wanted to talk about. They were active creators of their own theatre play, coming up with ideas, writing the script and finally performing it.

 

Performance details

Venue: Methodist Church (Cambridge, UK)

Dates: 8 March 2016, 6 pm

A poster showing hand-drawn illustrations to promote a theatre performance made by people with learning disabilities

The Princess Castaway and Other Time Machine Stories

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A poster showing hand-drawn illustrations to promote a theatre performance made by people with learning disabilities
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THE PRINCESS CASTAWAY AND OTHER TIME MACHINE STORIES

“The Princesses Castaway and Other Time Machine Stories” is an inclusive theatre performance made by creative people with learning disabilities who take part in Acting Now´s drama group at  Rowan. With weekly sessions since 2015, the workshops aims to help people with learning disabilities to discover their talents, learn new skills and gain confidence.

For this project, the participants worked from a handful of tales and ideas that they individually suggested. As part of the creative process, the group selected and connected the stories into an individual piece, applying a physical theatre narrative to shape the final play.

The performance challenges audiences with issues such as the pressure of ageing and the inner power human beings have to change their lives when they feel trapped.

This was the first piece devised by the group, which was performed during Chesterton Community Festival in 2016.

Performance details

Venue: St Andrew´s Church (Cambridge, UK)

Dates: 18 June 2016, 4:15 pm