the arts
Celebrating our creative community The original theme for my All Across The Arts column in this edition was to be ‘WHAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO’! I had planned an upbeat preview of what the creative community were planning for Christmas and into the new year. However, a certain persistent, nasty virus continues to get in the way! So, I amended the theme to celebrating our creative community and how they have reacted to these trying times. Not surprisingly there is a lot to choose from, as the creative community continues to shine a light in our dark Covid-19 tunnel. M6 Theatre Company – ‘When We Started Singing’ Usually at this time of year, M6 would be getting ready to welcome hundreds of local school children for a performance and workshop as part of The Linking Network. A project that sees two different schools join together for special lessons to promote equality and community. This year they have had to do things a little differently. Instead of a theatre production, When We Started Singing is a brand new BSL-interpreted [sign language] film which will be available to thousands of KS2 pupils across the whole country. Classes taking part in Rochdale Schools Linking also have the bonus of a special online workshop with Participatory Director Caroline Kennedy. The film and activity package will then be available to all Rochdale school children. Written by Mike Peacock, When We Started Singing tells the story of Mr Popple (Declan Wilson), an elderly man whose acts of kindness bring his community together. The piece was then developed into a longer length film with a song and additional activities to support the recovery curriculum. M6 worked with film maker Nick Farrimond and a diverse group of professional artists and youth theatre members, who played the neighbours on Mr Popple’s street. M6's Artistic Director Gilly Baskeyfield said: "For the past 3 years, we have been involved with the Rochdale Schools Linking project and we didn’t want this year to be any different. Our film and activity package provides a safe space for children to reflect on a shared lockdown experience, reconnect with each other and most importantly, make new friends. We feel so immensely proud of When We Started Singing. It’s a unifying short celebration of everything that matters – friendship, community, diversity... and singing!” Visit: m6theatre.co.uk
Steve Cooke Arts Columnist
Lissah Hall’s Pottery Classes - building resistance and boosting wellbeing At AATA we are firm believers in the tremendous contribution that the creative arts can and do make to building resistance to the challenges we face and promoting well being. An outstanding example of this is the work of local potter Lissah Hall. Back in the not-so-rosy past, being ‘potty’ was one of many euphemisms for poor mental health, Lissah demonstrates how this has been turned on its head in these [hopefully] more enlightened times. 47-year-old student Andrea commented: "Lissah's pottery class has been a kind of therapy for me. Attending Lissah's relaxed and fun classes, meeting new people and tapping into my own and shared group creativity has had a hugely positive impact on my mental health and wellbeing." Contact Lissah: 07807644630 or lissah.hall@outlook.com
Local Publisher Andrew Moorhouse Andrew Moorhouse, from Rochdale, is a publisher of Fine Press Poetry books and is very much a part of our local creative community. Since the start of the COVID outbreak he has continued with his publishing efforts. Despite the difficulties of lack of events Andrew has published two books: TAKK - features the work of poet Michael Symmons Roberts and artist Jake Attree. A Short Story of Falling - features 8 poems by Alice Oswald who is the current Oxford Professor of Poetry complemented by metal engravings. Andrew has got two further projects on the go - ‘Homer’s Octopus’ a collection of Northern Irish poet Michael Longley’s Homeric poems complemented by pen and ink drawings by his daughter Sarah and ’Tract’ with text by Simon Armitage and artist Hughie O’Donoghue who was born in Manchester. Visit: www.finepresspoetry.com
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