PAST PROJECTS
Drugs Work
Top Gear (2006)
Top Gear was an interactive project exploreing the realities of drug use in East London. Developed by Immediate Theatre, Sub19 (Hackney's Young People's Substance Misuse Service) and Hackney's young people, Top Gear focuses on a cheesy entertainment show where taking risks is the name of the game; the bigger the risk the harder the fall. 20 performances took place in schools and youth settings across Hackney.
Mental Health Work
Being There (2006)
In partnership with Off Centre (Hackney Young People's Counselling Service) we developed a training package to help education professionals support vulnerable young people. This one day introductory training event raised awareness about the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable young people and provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences and identify best practice in a safe and confidential space.Thoughts Allowed (2006)
'Thoughts Allowed' was developed in partnership with Young Minds, the national charity for children's mental health, and The Mellow Campaign, an East London mental health organisation targeting BME groups.
This peer-led project explored mental health with young people in East London. Young people took part in 2 days of intensive training in facilitation and drama skills enabling them to deliver workshops around mental health issues. The young people were then supported to deliver workshops in youth settings across Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
Immediate Theatre was presented with a Community Care Award for its mental health work in October 2002.
Cracked (1998)
An exhibition using visual art, photography, installations, sound collages and sculpture. The work was used as an environment to help workers from health, social services and youth teams to reconsider their attitude to people with mental health and drug problems. Workers attended a day long training session that included spending time in the exhibition, meeting workers from other services, exploring attitudes and current practice and making suggestions for change.
Shows for Young People
The Gingerbread House by Louise Warren (2006-2007)
This production toured to Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets. 'The Gingerbread House' explored the challenges facing primary children and their families trying to live a healthy lifestyle and formed part of the wider agenda in East London to tackle childhood obesity.
The action is set in "The Gingerbread House", part of a play area in a shopping centre where parents can leave their children. All three children have issues around food and eating. Trapped together in the house they begin to play, exploring the different attitudes they and their families have about food. As the play develops the characters become aware of the problems facing them and become empowered to make the changes required in their lives.
Hoax by Louise Warren (2003-2004)
'Hoax' was commissioned by Camden Community Safety Partnership and The London Fire Brigade to help reduce the level of hoax calls. The play was developed with year 10 drama students at Hampstead School, five young people were then selected to spend their two-week work placement with a professional theatre team touring years 5-9 in Camden Schools. The production was later revived and seen by nearly 5000 young people.
A gang of young people have nothing to do but hang out on the street. They come up with the idea of making a hoax call to create some excitement but when the fire engines are delayed in reaching a real fire the consequences for the gang are serious.
Queensbridge Community Arts Partnership (2002-2004)
From 2002-2004 we worked in the Queensbridge Ward of Hackney providing drama and art activities for the local community. In partnership with the Queensbridge Trust and funded by the Regional Arts Lottery Programme and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The programme provided a wide range of activities for all ages ranging from 8-80 yr olds.
On 4th September 2004 the Partnership culminated in the Queensbridge Community Festival. Held in the Queensbridge Sports and Community Centre (E8) activities celebrated the diversity of the Queensbridge area and brought together over 1000 people.
Can You See Me? by Penny Cliff (2004)
Commissioned by Camden Council Public Safety Team, the play focuses on Alice who is looking forward to an actie and romantic retirement when her husband is killed in a car accident. She becomes increasingly frightened of going out until her grandson Kyle needs her help and she must face the challenge of the streets.
Tudor Hackney (2002)
Working in partnership with Hackney Archive, we used research material to create a play about the story of John and Jane Daniell who lived in a parsonage just off the Narrow Way in Hackney. The couple spent a lot of money on improving the property and buying rich furnishings and silver. They were not able to enjoy this luxury for long. John Daniell was arrested and sent to jail for black mailing Lord Essex. The house was taken and Jane and her children thrown out on the streets.
The play was toured to 17 junior schools in Hackney where the young people had the opportunity to ask the characters questions and see items from the house. We then went on to make a film of the story with Quark TV. This work along with an interactive version of the house can be seen at www.learningcurve.gov.uk/tudorhackney
Shows for Older People
We All Fall Down by Michele Celeste (1999)
The play looked at ways of preventing falls in the home and was developed in partnership with health professionals and older people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Sally believes that her falls are caused by the ghost of her husband Bobby who is jealous of her new romantic relationship with Yusuf, an elderly refugee. During the action she realises that her problems are of a more practical nature. This is a touching piece, which involves comedy tragedy, romance and lots of falling down. Developed in partnership with North London Mobile Repair Service, 'We All Fall Down' toured to great acclaim across London and South Buckinghamshire.
Who's That At The Door? by Jo Carter
The play follows the stories of two neighbours: Beryl is very trusting and fails to take precautions whilst her neighbour's fear prevents him from engaging with the community. The performance included a discussion session with a local Crime Prevention officer and the opportunity for the audience members to try out the prevention tactics through role play.