Community Drama

Our Community Drama Group has met regularly in the Dingle for several years and put on productions in the locality. “Florrie Daly”, a play set in the Dingle in the aftermath of the 2nd World War, was funded by the Neighbourhood Community Chest and performed in the United Services Club to a healthy local audience. The play was written by Gerald Howkins.

Our Community Drama Festival was supported by the Capital of Culture Company and the Neighbourhood Community Chest. Among other Dingle related subjects, produced dramas about Billy Fury, one of the Dingle’s most famous sons. It also saw us again back at the Ancient Chapel of Toxteth, one of the oldest buildings in Liverpool.

This project was one of our biggest undertakings to date. It involved several community productions at Merseyside theatres as well as a Schools tour of Liverpool junior schools to co-inside with Poppy day 2007.

Here's what some schools who were visited said:

All our KS2 children, and staff, were captivated by the story line, the acting and the use of sound. At a deeper level many children were able to see behind the storyline and reflect on the consequences of war and conditions at the time - concepts which may have taken considerable curriculum time to awaken.

Mrs R Bibby - Headteacher, St Finbars

"I think it's an idea that deserves consideration. Many areas have seen the benefit of having a Theatre on their doorstep, so why not The Dingle! Community Theatres can be used for a whole range of Community Performance events, not just plays…although it's always nice to see local actors and writers given encouragement as well."

Louise Ellman, MP for Riverside, and patron of Dingle Community Theatre.

As a group, we have always felt that the Dingle is long overdue a cultural venue to serve the Arts aspirations of young and old alike in the area as well as attracting outside theatre and performance groups into the Dingle and L8 neighbourhood.

"It would raise the cultural profile of the area considerably, but more importantly give local people, including the Youth of the area, a positive channel for their energies," as our secretary, Alan Bower, has put it.

A campaign Group has been set up after a well-attended public meeting. We have investigated several possible locations as well as raising public awareness with a Community Theatre weekend.

The play looked at the lives of British people from the Caribbean Islands and some of their experiences in the British armed forces, merchant navy and life after the war - the highs the lows of their hopes and aspirations and how they saw the future.

CAST OF ‘MY MOTHER’S CHILDREN DON’T LIKE ME’

JOHNSON - Adam Baird
JAMAICAN MOTHER - Cherise Weaver
OFFICER - Ed Barret
MATRON - Jacqueline Boylan
JAMAICAN FATHER - Patrick Graham
WINSOME - Stacy Chuku
NURSE - Susan Phillips
THOMAS - Temi Moore
OLIVER - Winston Branche
GLADSTONE - Winston Yip

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Cherise Weaver
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY Patrick Graham

Performed for the Diversity Arts Week, November 25th, 26th & 27th at Mt Carmel Catholic Social Club, The Caribbean Centre and Parklands CLC Speke.

Our Community Group looked at the issues around age stereotypes, young old and in between…some interesting ideas came out, which were acted out in ensemble style. Only days later, a demonstration of “hoodies” marched in protest…not about our play though…about stereotyping!

CAST OF ‘HOODIES & ZIMMERS’AN ENSEMBLE PLAY DEVISED
& PERFORMED BY THE CAST ACTORS

Andrew Senneck - Neil Wainwright - Justine Woodward - Bob Lentle
Dianne Dodd - Jeff Connell - Rosalie Priday - Ron Entwistle
June Doyle - Laura Foulkes - Eileen Burrows - Tsitsi Monodawafa
Margaret Lloyd – Bob Moyler - Sabrina Longo (singer)
••• DIRECTED BY Tom McLennan •••