p. 06-09 PERFORMANCE:Layout 1 12/12/09 17:18 Page 5
theWord on Somerset PERFORMANCE|09
The Rise & Rise of Rural Touring
2
6
g
e
t
i
n
g
s
p
a
L
i
s
e
.
S
e
i
l
y
m
F
a
e
a
t
r
e
:
T
h
T
h
e
e
R
o
g
u
‘Rural touring is about more than just performances... it plays an important part
in the social life of small communities… it involves people of all ages and
backgrounds… it can be a catalyst for community development, because it always
requires people to become active partners.’
akeArt,anartsdevelopment villagehall.TakeArtfindsappropriate theworkisdiverseandedgy.Itiswholly
T
agencyforSomerset,works companiesthroughlocal,nationaland rewardingwhenaudiencesletyouknow
intheareasofperformance, internationalnetworks.Forexample,they thatithasbeenoneofthemostcreative
participationand attendfestivalsasfarandwideasBristol, andmemorablenightstheycanremember.’
professionaldevelopment. EdinburghandBrightontoPrague,Spain
Setupin1987,itwasestablishedtoserve andNewfoundland.Morelocally,TakeArt ‘Ourfirstruraltouringexperiencewasin
theruralpartsofthecountywherethere organisesthebiennial‘MadeinSomerset’ 2003whenTheGreatLittleTilleywas
waslittleornoartsprovision.Thiswas eventwhereworkisshowcasedfrom bookedbyTakeArtforfiveperformances
achievedthroughtheLiveprogramme:the companieswhoarelivingandmaking acrossSomerset,takinginIlminster,
VillagePerformanceScheme.TodayTake performanceworkinSomerset.AtMade Minehead,BishopsLydeard,Chardand
Arthasgrowntobesignificantlymorethan inSomerset2009workwasshownby NorthCurry.Wordofourworksoonspread
thevillageperformancescheme.Itworks 30companiesandattendedbyover100 outsideourhomecountyofSomerset
acrossSomerset,forexamplewithchildren promotersanddelegateswhocamefrom bringinginbookingsfromruraltouring
&familiesandyoungpeoplethroughits acrosstheUK. schemesupanddownthecountry.Allof
StartService,providingopportunitiesfor ourproductionshavesinceplayedto
groupstoparticipateinthearts.Italsoruns Oneofthecompaniespresentingworkat Somersetruralcommunitiesbeforegoing
acomprehensiveTheatre&DanceService, MadeinSomersetwasPrettyGoodGirl ontoextensivetoursofvillagehallsand
helpingtobringtheverybestperformersin DanceTheatrewiththeirnewshowElvis smalltheatresacrosstheUK.Ourlatest
theworldofcontemporarydancetosome StillMyHeart,whichpremieredinJuly09, showElvisStillMyHearthas,forexample,
ofthecounty’stheatresandartscentresas throughTakeArt,atvillagehallsinMendip justcompletedatourtoover60different
wellasencouragingbothyouthdanceand aspartofFromeFestival.ArtisticDirector, venuesfromEdinburghFestivaltoNorfolk,
theatrework. LouiseBarrett,says’Takingaproduction toNottinghamtoLeighonMendipand
onaruraltourbringsoutthemagicof Crewkerne.It’sagreatnetworkfortheatre
However,theLiveprogramme,theVillage theatricaltransformationthatwecanoften companiesandlongmayitlast.’
PerformanceScheme,remainsatthevery takeforgrantedinaformaltheatrespace– Sarah Peterkin
heartofTakeArt’swork.Inanutshellit toenteravillagehallonacoldandwintery
deliversartisticexcellencebutwitha nightandsetabouttransformingthevenue SarahPeterkinisDirectorofLiveand
strongcommunityfocus.Eachyearthe intoasmalltheatrefortheeveningisajoy.’ TheatreCo-Director,TakeArt
Liveprogrammebringsprofessional
top-qualitytouringperformancecompanies ‘Tobepartofthewholeevent,whether TheTakeArt:LivenewSeason(January
totheruralcommunitiesofSomerset. itbethepost-showdrinks,theraffle, –June2010)isabouttobeginanddetails
Effectiveandstrongrelationshipsare meetingthepromotersandaudience ofallshows
formedwithanetworkof75-80volunteer membersistrulyrewardingforatheatre acrossSomerset
villagepromoters.Theyareprovidedwith companywhotourweekafterweek.Itis canbefoundat
amenuof30differentcompaniesinorder personalwhensometheatreexperiences 01460 249450,
tochooseashowortwotopromoteintheir canfeeldetached.Itischallengingwhen www.takeart.org
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44