Tour Dates September 2011 2/3rd September, Ammanford Miner’s Theatre, 7.30pm 5th September, Swansea Grand Theatre, 7.30pm 6th September, Carmarthen Lyric Theatre, 7.30pm 8th September, The Melville Theatre Abergavenny, 7.30pm 10th September, Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, 2.30pm & 7.30pm 13th September, Ammanford Miners Theatre, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
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WHAT IS STRANGERS 2 AND CLICK?
Strangers2 is an
within has made for some creative challenges
international script writing and
that have gradually shaped the project.
performance project involving collaboration
between young people and professional
in Hong Kong enabled us to find a method
artists from Wales, New Zealand, Australia
of working that meant it was possible
and Hong Kong. Using multi-media and
to work collaboratively but in line with
communications technology, young people
organisations differing needs. It was at
have connected on a global scale, exploring
this camp that we devised a series of on-
their cultural landscapes and celebrating
line creative challenges designed to inspire
diversity through theatre. The project
the dramatic content for two very different
has been led by Mess Up The Mess Theatre
final productions. Each group was asked to
Company LTD in Wales with delivery
respond to the projects theme with poetry,
partnerships through Australian Theatre
characters, video, movement and song. The work
for Young People, Hong Kong Academy of
created was showcased on a project blog and
Performing Arts and Inspired Productions
has inspired the full length English language
in New Zealand.
script written ‘Click’ by Dafydd James and an
The journey began the moment
The initial project camp
abstract performance piece performed by the
the Strangers project curtains closed in
young people in Hong Kong. The productions
Feb 2008 and we at Mess Up The Mess Theatre
are inspired by the same source material and
Company, inspired by an initial attempt
feature multi-media art that has been created
at international collaboration over the
collaboratively between all 4 groups.
internet, began looking for new partners to create a new Strangers2 programme. What
INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE CHALLENGES AND
wonderful and diverse partners we did find!
WORKSHOPS THAT INSPIRED CLICK:
Hong Kong Academy of Theatre Arts is such an
Poetry
amazing and dynamic organisation providing
Character development
first class higher education and reaching
Filmmaking
out to the community by engaging in cutting
Song writing
edge programmes. When we visited in April
Script development
2010 with our Peer Leaders we were blown
Rehearsal technique
away by their resources, wonderful staff
Multimedia
and committed and talented young people.
Blogging/Skyping
Around our Strangers table we also have the
Technical theatre
Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney
Stage management
who provide a very real training ground for
Costume design
the Australian theatre industry and Inspired Productions, a small but pioneering youth arts organisations based in Nelson, New Zealand.
All the organisations
differences including the languages we work
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG AT http://messupthemess.co.uk/strangers2
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NOTES FROM THE WRITER
On reflection, I can honestly
Everything that we developed
say that this has been one of the most
together was uploaded onto the project’s
stimulating devising processes I have ever
blog (created by Carolina Vasquez, who’s
been part of. It has certainly been one of the
wizard-like skills in film and projection
craziest, but that, as the young people of Mess
have certainly extended the creative
up the Mess well know, is not necessarily a bad
horizons of the play). Click has evolved
thing: the mess that such craziness brings can
directly from that blog but the play is
often be creative. It all began with a trip to
equally about the process which led to its
Hong Kong, followed by a series of workshops
creation: the international relationships
in music, film, character creation, poetry and
that were forged, the problems and
movement across three continents, and countless
advantages which come with communicating
e mail/Skype/MSN interactions with the young
via the Internet, the highs and lows
people in Australia, Hong Kong, Wales and New
of negotiating cultural similarities
Zealand. We even interacted in ‘character’ via
and differences. It is both created and
chat, developing scenes across space and time
inspired by the young people that I have
zones. In Wales, I had the honour of working
encountered over the last two years; it
with a variety of groups: the Ethnic Youth
is very much their play. Finally, I am
Support Team, the Carmarthenshire Barnados
sure all the young people involved in the
Young Carers group, the Rising Stars Theatre
project won’t mind me turning the spotlight
Company, 2active8 and the Monkton Priory
for a moment onto Sarah Jones and Peri
Project. It was always going to be a challenge
Thomas, without whom Mess up the Mess nor
to creatively represent such a wide-spectrum of
Click would have existed. It is a privilege
communities, whilst avoiding the didacticism
to know you and though you do not want it,
that might accompany any play that engages with
you never get the praise you deserve.
youth issues. If the play succeeds to strike
I’m glad that when we encountered each
that balance I have my young teachers to thank,
other, we ‘Clicked’
if it fails, the fault is all mine!
Dafydd James Writer
"As a Latin American living in Wales it has been fantastic for me to get the opportunity to work on 'Click' with such a diversity of cultures, languages and ethnicities. Mess Up The Mess have, once again, managed to create a production where young people get the opportunity to learn new skills and discover what they're good at. I have definitely learnt lots creating the digital media for 'Click'. The biggest challenge for me was to use, create and treat social networks in a way that was realistic for young people- spelling mistakes and all! Social media is such an important part of our lives and I'm very excited to see how it all comes together on stage." CAROLINA VASQUES Multi-Media Artist
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MESS UP THE MESS
SARAH JONES
Artistic Director
Mess Up The Mess & Strangers 2 Project
South West Wales
Tonight has been a long time
have encountered on our journey and it is a
coming! What started life as the Strangers2
huge honour to present this production this
project a creative collaboration with young
evening
people and professional artists from around the
world has, as intended, finally given birth to
weeks before opening night, my mind is a
a play that is being performed over the next
little bit blown away by the concept that
month in 3 countries around the world!
three other wonderful youth theatres around
the world are sharing the same journey as us
The aim of this project
was to write, rehearse and perform one play inspired by a collective process (previous MUTM international collaborations have led to sharing the process but not the full final product) and this was a big enough challenge without the added pressure of making it entertaining, relevant and engaging for young people and audiences around the world. Dafydd has super-exceeded these expectations, including those of the young people engaged in the project, and created a play that is honest, relevant, funny and challenging. I hope that our play, while presenting the reality of the world in which young people live, celebrates the tenacity of youth, at a time when society is in danger of marginalising young people further, particularly those most at risk of slipping through the net.
It is both refreshing and
scary to direct a play that so clearly explores youth culture. This reality is not often one which adults are invited to be part of, so while I hope our young people in the audience connect with the play I also challenge adults to listen, watch and be open with what they have to share. Dafydd has grasped the voices of the young people we
As I write this note two
right about now!
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CREW LIST
CAST LIST
Natasha Nicholls /// Stage Manager
Dan Morgan /// Isaac
Katy Stephenson /// Lighting Mentor
Russ Beer /// Sam
Charlotte Neville /// Designer Mentor
Lucy Tootle /// Ellie
Jess Hughes /// Deputy Stage Manager
May Auyeung /// George
William Harley /// Sound
Llyr Williams /// James /// Welsh Ninja
Robyn Elias /// Sound
Katie Searl /// Vicky
Jacob Thomas /// Lighting Tech
Kieren Jones /// Abe
Cei Jordan /// Lighting Tech
Taylor Spencer /// David
Cerian Wilshere /// Costume
Lynsey Rees /// Kerry
Jade Lewis /// Costume
Tashy Tylka /// Cathy /// Alexandria
Ellis Davies /// Projection
Cerain Fitzgerald /// Robert
Amy Davies /// Props /// Set
Sam Dighton /// Craig
STRANGERS 2 PEER LEADERS: Alex Griffiths India Marsh Jacob Thomas Natasha Tylka
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ATYP
CHRIS TOMKINSON
Director
ATYP
Sydney — Australia
Click has been an amazing
journey of exploration and discovery. It has been very challenging on an artistic and technical level and very rewarding too. We’ve learnt a lot and also learnt how much more there is to learn.
The core of the experience,
as always at ATYP, has been the cast who have thrown themselves with enthusiasm at everything that has been thrown at them. To be a part of a group of people getting to know each other and bravely exploring worlds with details simultaneously both far from and close to their own has been an honour.
This touching of worlds
with people on the other side of the globe, in South Wales from New South Wales, and closer yet just as far away, in Hong Kong and New Zealand, has opened up new perspectives on things we share and the small things that mark us out as Australian. It’s always good to know yourself more clearly in the reflection of other people’s lives.
We are only a click away
from everyone — and that has brought us closer together too.
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CAST LIST Julia /// McNamara Sydney /// Nicholas Jimmy /// Pucci Jake /// Bayssom Isabel /// Griffin Naomi /// Hastings Daniel /// Tauber Sami /// Tauber Billy /// Coulthurst Andrew /// McGregor Tanisha /// Sundaram Director /// Chris Tomkinson Production /// Manager: Liam Kennedyw
“It is one of the most exciting new plays for young adults that I’ve read in the past 18 months.” FRASIER CORFIELD Artistic Director for Australia Theatre for Young People
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HKAPA
TSANG MAN TUNG
ESTELLA WONG
Co-Director
Co-Director
HKAPA
HKAPA
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The world is like a matrix,
When I first learnt that
all things are connected by ley lines,
“Strangers 2” was an international devising
while subtle energies awaken people’s
project involving young people from four very
collective sub-conscious.
different countries, I couldn’t actually
visualize how it’s going to be like.
which teenagers understand and experience
Nevertheless, I was exactly excited by this
their life through collective creativities.
unknown! During Easter 2010, representatives of
In the process, participants’ awareness has
MUTM (Wales) and HKAPA (HK) met for the first
been activated; they are not only knowing
time in the intensive day-camp, where artists
but understanding life.
and youngsters of both sides worked closely
together to set the common “point of departure”
like “butterfly effect,” evolves from one
for our wonderful devising journey.
small movement to a huge consequence.
Here, I hope this Strangers effect will
In the past one and a half
years, “Strangers 2” teams from Wales, Sydney, New Zealand and HK kept each other updated through skype, facebook, youtube, blog etc, sharing and celebrating the bits and pieces of our creative work-in-progress. The exchange trip to Sydney ATYP in June 2011 was also a highlight to me. To be able to visit the rehearsals and discuss the project in-person with Fraser Corfield (artistic director) and Christopher Tomkinson (director of “Click” production) was extremely valuable and enjoyable! The enthusiasm and liveliness of the Sydney young people are also remarkable….they are such a wonderful group of young artists!
The HK Strangers team is
entering the final stage of our creative work in July 2011. I am confident to say that we have all gone through a transformative journey – we are all transformed in some ways. The English word “Click” has different meanings: it can be a small action done by a finger on a mouse, but it can also be the big action happens in a man’s brain – the sudden realization of something.
“Strangers” is a project
Strangers effect is just
continue in the future.
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CREW LIST
CAST LIST
Producer /// Anna Chan
Chang Fai Wing /// Catbi
Project Coordinator /// Ritchie Law
Cheuk Hiu Fung /// Satan
Co-directors /// Estella Wong/Tsang Man tung
Chiu Tsz Ying /// Hedy
Assistant to Director/ Kelvin Tsang
Chu Pun Tung /// Chor
Stage Manager /// Luby Lam
Kong Wing Chi /// Billy
Sound Designer /// Swing Leung
Kwan Chun Cheung /// Ero
Sound Operator /// Brian Chan
Kwan Ka Lam /// Tracy
Lighting Designer /// Zoe Cheung
Lam Cheuk Fung /// Xavier
Lighting Operator /// Fong Ka Yin
Lam Yuen Chun /// Crystal
Deputy Stage Manager /// Joanna Ko
Ng Tsz Ying /// Sophia
Assistant Stage Manager /// Yu Wai Lam
Ng Wing Yan /// Vienne
Stage Crew /// Victor Sham
Shek Wing Chi /// Trista Sze wei /// Cecilia
ARTISTS
Tam On Ki /// Angel
Dance /// Felix Ke
To Ching Man /// Do
Videograpy /// Kiwi Chow
Tsang Yuen Yuen /// Kennis
Photograpy /// Leo Yuenww
Tse Tsz Kwan /// Chris Tse Yuen Mei /// Domin Wong Chun Yin /// Sam Wong Ho Yin /// Thomas
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INSPIRED PRODUCTIONS
TABITHA BESLEY Age 19
Co-Director
Inspired Productions
New Zealand
It has been amazing for me to watch this project grow and still be here now to see it flourish. I was in the first Strangers play in 2008 so it's really cool to be involved in Strangers 2. It was hard work to pull everything together and make it happen in NZ so I'm pretty proud of what we've accomplishded! I think Click is such an awesome script which is really relevant to a lot of young people around the world and I'm so happy to be sharing it with them. TABITHA BESLEY Age 19
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CAST AND CREW LIST Directors /// Jasmine Turner, Tabitha Besley Stage Manager /// Pollyanna Besley Technician /// James Walton Isaac /// Jordan Paenga Cullen Sam /// Jack Knowles Ellie /// Caitlin Lee Gladstone George /// Kate James /// Harry Coutts Robert /// Peter Croft Vicky /// Leah Jacksties Abe /// Dali McDonald David /// Hayden de Jong Craig /// James Tanner Kerry ///
Adele Tunnicliff
Alexandria/Cathy /// Ellora Virtue
It's amazing to see how
It's a really cool and
It's been really exciting
the initial draft script
interesting play... I"m
and fun, it's been great
has developed into
nervous but so excited
to work with all these
something like this
because it's the first
awesome people and be
[ Adele ]
real production I've been
part of a big production
involved in
[ Harry ]Â
[ Kate ]
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OUR JOURNEY
"What I love is that i can play a gay character without the play being focussed on gay issues. The play is not afraid of being controversial, which will make it awesome to perform." DANIEL MORGAN, aged 18
A STRANGER FROM MY LIFE
STRANGERS NO MORE
Her life is a patchwork of stories
Gazing through the windows of the world:
From many times and many places,
Fleeting intimacies,
And though she speaks mostly of glories
So far, and yet so near.
Photographs tell of missing faces.
By young people involved in Strangers Wales
Several languages, multiple lands She was supported by work of her hands. BY E.M., Australia
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STRANGER TO MYSELF It was time to peer through, the secret windows of the soul. The secrets that lost its curtain for protection. For the veil had been removed. All that was left was the core. The heart, the soul. There was an aura of emotions, a rainbow pallet of emotions…. Like an onion, life is a constant discovery. It has its layers gradually peeling, peeling and peeling away. ‘Till the heart and innermost core is discovered.’ It add taste, zest and a sharp and sweet quality that enriches our lives. I now know the truth. I am all of these things – I am complex, unique and am constantly changing and evolving. Who am I? Where is my true self? What stranger lies within…. BY SAMI TAUBER aged 15 "When I first read the script I was worried that audiences may be offended by particular scenes, but it's important to show people the reality of situations young people face in life and make them more aware of them." LYNDSAY REES, aged 17
Thankyou to all the people we worked with during stranger2 to develop ideas: —Monkton Priory Project —Ethnic Youth Support Team —Rising Stars Theatre Company —African Community Centre —Barnardo's Carmarthenshire Young Carers Project —2Activ8 —YMCA Swansea —Carmarthenshire Theatres —Australia Theatre for Young People —Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts —Inspired Productions —MUTM Youth Members
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Coming soon
PANTO
This Christmas 'mess up the mess' brings you their most sensational
panto ever! Join Aladdin on his magic carpet ride to a world of sorcery, illusion, fun & frolics. Help Aladdin win the heart of his beloved princess. Laugh out loud at the amazing antics of the genie of the lamp. Get up close to Widow Twanky's dirty laundry. And if you want to avoid the Evil Abanazer you'd better look behind you!
Audition Date: Wednesday 7th September 6pm Pantyffynnon Social Club Show Dates: 9th,10th and 11th December 2011 at Ammanford Miners' Theatre
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MUTM successfully uses theatre creatively to inspire and engage disadvantaged and hard to reach young people through transformative learning experiences. We empower them to:
Express themselves, have their voices heard and celebrated
Develop key transferable personal and social skills
Play an active part in their communities
Make informed choices about the issues that affect their lives
Reach their potential
Have fun in a healthy environment
Projects include:
Weekly youth theatre sessions
DVD and music projects
Peer Leader Training
Apprentice Theatre
Accredited Performing Arts Training
Issue based workshops and productions
Ready for work courses
ork placements
Mentoring schemes
Design: w w w.matthewtyson.co.uk
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Get In Touch
Mess Up The Mess are currently recruiting both young and old people for volunteering placements. If you’d like to find out more about this or any of our events/projects, please; Call:07966 294188 Email:messupthemess@hotmail.co.uk
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