TRADING LOCAL

Show of Strength Theatre Company ran workshops for writers living in the BS3 postcode area. The sessions were held at the Southville Centre in November and December 2008.
Writers developed five minute monologues (approx 1000 words) with a focus on local, independent shops and retail experiences. A selection of these works were professionally produced in a series of exciting performances in the shops themselves on February 21st 2009.

TRADE IT

Writing Workshops OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007
OUR STORIES MAKE WAVES and SOS worked with Bristol’s BME communities to create short pieces of drama, Rob Mitchell’s piece went on to full production in 2008 alongside the work of well-known professionals.

We also produced a CD of the participants work. This is available by sending a stamped addressed A5 envelope to Show of Strength at 74 Chessel Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 3DN

The workshops began with guided visits for information gathering at Temple Church followed by free workshops in St Pauls and St Werburghs.
We showcased some of the writing, performed by Kelsey Brookfield and Nadia Williams at Malcolm X Community Centre on February 18th 2007 ‘fantastic’ ‘very powerful’ ‘entertaining’ ‘well performed’ ‘gave me the confidence to hear different voices’ ‘some moving pieces’ ‘great opportunity to hear thoughtful work’ ‘it was great to see the elders work performed’ ‘I enjoyed the spontaneity of the audience joining in with songs and acknowledging similar experiences, it felt really good to be part of that audience’ ‘an inspiring evening’ ‘living in the area I hadn’t yet been to any events involving the elders – I was glad to catch the last two stories’ ‘emotional’

Show of Strength have previously run writing workshops at The Southville Centre for groups of young people and for the over 60’s some of the work written was produced as rehearsed readings in an evening at Paintworks, Bocabar. Bedminster Library hosted a further series of workshops for older people.