Prime Minister backs somewhereto_

Prime Minister, David Cameron, hopes to inspire more businesses to open spaces for young people after unlocking No.10 for young people to free run, perform and practice boxing.
Inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, somewhereto_ is a nationwide project to help young people find the space they need to do the things they love, within sport, culture and the arts.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, said, “somewhereto_ is a fantastic initiative to help young people to find the space they need to develop their passions. This is a great example of the Big Society – connecting the businesses that have space they can spare with people in their community who have a dream they can use it for.

“If Downing Street can open its doors to something as adventurous as free running I hope it will inspire other people to see what their building could be used for.”
The Mighty Creatives (TMC) is one of the organisations chosen to deliver somewhereto_ in the East Midlands.



The project is run by Livity, a youth engagement agency, in media partnership with Channel 4 Education and funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games across the UK.
TMC is the young people’s creative development agency for the East Midlands who use creativity to make positive change in the lives of young people and the communities.

Some of the spaces unlocked in the East Midlands so far include Pedestrian Arts Gallery in Leicester, Broadway Cinema in Nottingham, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and Quad in Derby. To see the some of the venues unlocked visit http://www.somewhereto.com/ if you're looking for a different space then get in touch with your regional coordinator.

If you’re aged 16-25 and need a space to do the things you love, or are a space-holder who has access to or influence over how a space is used, get in touch.
To get involved, or to chat about the project, contact daisy@somewhereto.com

For more information about The Mighty Creatives visit www.themightycreatives.com

"Don't be mad - come and see this play"

Michael Beckley playing Randle McMurphy. Photo by Pamela Raith

Interview with Michael Beckley and Thomas Renshaw

“Don’t be mad come and see this play.” Michael Beckley playing Randle McMurphy

Former Home and Away star, Michael Beckley and De Montfort University graduate, Tom Renshaw, spoke to freelance journalist, Jemma Crowston, about their upcoming roles in Curve’s new production of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey, which was later adapted for the 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson, Michael Buffong, award winning film, stage and television director, will bring his explosive adaptation of this cult classic alive in Leicester next week.

Synposis
Upon being sentenced to prison, Randle P. McMurphy hopes to avoid hard labour with a stint in a mental institution. However, his anti-authoritarian attitude and compassion for his fellow patients make him a prime target for the insanely fearsome Nurse Ratched, which leads to explosive results for everyone, including those caught in the cross-fire.

Beckley, who is most known for his role as Reece Sutherland in the Aussie soap – Home and Away, will play McMurphy for the first time whilst 25-year-old Renshaw will play The Chief for the second time.

The DMU theatre studies graduate first played The Chief as a student, he said, “The rehearsal process have been a lot more thorough and I’ve discovered a lot more about the chief.

“The Chief looks at the world in his own magic way. In the film he is a mute but in the play he acts as the narrator. McMurphy will eventually bring him out of his catatonic state.”

Beckley said that audience can expect more comedy than the novel and film. He said, “Of course there’s humour in a lunatic asylum. Our friends and families have their own little ticks and we do too. We use exaggerated versions of these to portray the characters mannerisms.”

He added, “The novel is so detailed and Buffong has had to cut it down but he doesn’t lose the story in any way. This is one of the best adaptations I have ever read. Each character goes through a journey and by the end of the play they have all transformed.”

The show, which will run for three weeks, uses a rake on set which acts as a sloped hill towards the audience. Beckley said, “The stage is designed to make the audience feel uncomfortable and to feel like they’re in an asylum.”

The pair will join 12 other cast members including Catherine Russell as Nurse Ratched.
Beckley said, “The relationship between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy is between equals. She likes order and calm and he’s all about freedom and freedom of spirit. The whole play will see this story unfold.

“People put on different masks whether it’s for work, when you’re with friends or in another scenario and these men don’t have masks but Nurse Ratched does. Some say that’s why Nurse Ratched is the maddest one in there and she’s running the joint.”

He added, “When all the cast met for the first read through we all just looked around at one another and thought Buffong has picked everyone perfectly for the roles. It went so smoothly and I’ve got a great feeling about this show.”

Renshaw, who grew up near Doncaster, said his favourite scene is the party scene because the cast get to be messy on stage.

Beckley said, “I know this isn’t the answer you’ll want but I love all the scenes. I do particular like the scene between McMurphy and The Chief in act two because it’s a beautiful moment. The rest of the play is full of good meaty stuff that actors love.”

Beckley and Renshaw both agreed that Buffong is a superb director to work for. Renshaw said, “He’s [Buffong] is an actors director. He lets us get on with whatever we want and whilst we’re rehearsing you’ll see him move around the room and make little suggestions by whispering to the cast and then we do the same scene again and it’s completely transformed and you think what did he say?

“I see him as an artist painting a picture. He sits back to look at the whole landscape and then tweaks it here and there.”

One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest is an American play and so UK born Renshaw and Aussie Beckley both have to act using an accent.

“When I played Lenny in Mice and Men I had to put on a mid-west accent and I’ve worked on mainly American plays so I’ve got used to how to use more vocal chords,” said Renshaw.

Beckley said, “Aussies seem to be really good at putting on an American accent. I’m fascinated with phonetics so I’m really interested in sounds and how to make sounds in different parts of your mouth.”

On their first visit to Leicester’s Curve theatre, the cast were given a personal tour of the state-of-the-art space.

“Wow”, said Renshaw. “It’s just stupidly impressive”, said Beckley.

Beckley, who was working as a dresser in London before auditions, added, “England has a lot of old buildings so theatre can tend to be quite small and pokey but Curve was built with a modern sense in mind and there’s tons of space.”

Renshaw said, “I used to work at the Haymarket as a student and I remember how much it felt like a family because everyone was to friendly and personally and Curve have got that too. It’s great to see these kind of traditions carried on.”

The show will run from Friday, October 14 to Saturday, November 5. Tickets cost from £7.25 - £24.50

To book your tickets phone 0116 242 3595 or visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/

Interview with Jason Wood

It’s been almost four months since Leicester’s De Montfort University set-up DMU Square Mile.
Ahead of the official launch and big volunteer day tomorrow (September 22), I caught up with DMU Square Mile Research Director, Jason Wood, to find out all about the innovative community initiative.
Mr Wood started his career as a youth worker 12 years ago. He was the youth and community researcher for DMU before taking on the Vice Chancellor’s Square Mile project.


Tell me about DMU Square Mile
Square Mile was an idea generated by our Vice Chancellor, Dominic Shellard, to see how the university could make a difference in the community with the support of the local authorities.
I’ve been involved in the set-up of investments and assessing the potential impact of the project.
We started in May (2011) by working with the community and speaking to residents for a period of consultation.


What will happen on the Big Volunteer Day?
We’re holding a big volunteer day as the official launch of the project. We will see students, stakeholders, board members and the community all pulling together to start 21 mini projects.
Some of the projects include planting a sensory garden and setting up a community café. They’ll be some volunteers litter picking too.
We’re encouraging anyone living in local area to get involved. The success relies on community involvement.

The Square Mile project work is around the university campus covering estates such as Fosse, Abbey and Western Park.

How can people get involved?
Email Mile2@dmu.ac.uk or call 0116 2577102 or follow @DMUsquaremile

Akram Khan's Desh

Tonight Curve will welcome audience members to the public dress rehearsal of Akram Khan's Desh.The internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, opens the autumn season at Curve with the World Premiere of his new dance productionthis week.

We last saw Khan at Curve with his successful co-productions with the theatre In-i and Vertical Road.
Inspired by his home country of Bangladesh, Desh, will explore the idea of transformation – of body, land, identity and memory, while examining the contradictions of Khan’s British-Asian identity. Created after a year of research both in the UK and Bangladesh and performed during the year Bangladesh celebrates the 40^th anniversary of its independence from Pakistan, DESH draws together multiple tales of land, nation and resistance.

Oscar and BAFTA winning Chinese designer Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) has created the set and costume designs.

Summer Sundae - Review

Leicester’s crown jewels of family entertainment, Summer Sundae, returned for its eleventh year at the weekend.
The city saw De Montfort Hall and Gardens transformed into a haven for music lovers of all tastes and creeds.
With dozens of acts across five stages (main stage, indoor stage, Last FM rising stage, The Musician stage and eFestivals Comedy Tent) I was certainly spoilt for choice.
Arriving at the gates early on the Saturday I took a quick whistle stop tour of the grounds via a free rickshaw ride. This quirky little eco-friendly taxi was perfect for the chilled vibe of the weekend.

To read the rest of my review visit The Public Reviews website.

Summer Sundae 2011

Today (Saturday, August 13) was my first festival experience - Summer Sundae @ De Montfort Hall. Some say it's quite odd that I'm 25 and only just having my first taste of festivals and others have said it's the perfect chilled festival for an introduction to a world of music, fast food, flip flops and hats. My highlights of the day include riding a rickshaw, having my palm read and soaking up the sounds of acts like Beth Jeans Houghton, Kissmet, Reef, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, The Jim Jones Revue and The Paradimes.

With dozens of acts across five stages (main stage, indoor stage, Last FM rising stage, The Musician stage and eFestivals Comedy Tent) I was certainly spoilt for choice. My day started off with a ride on the rickshaw to assess the lay of the land and then I went off for a browse through the marquee stores including a thorough hunt for gems in the vintage tents. This is where I discovered Geoff & Mildred Crank (finger puppets). This old knitted duo soon became the mascots for the days adventures (photos below).

Mildred & Geoff Crank

My full review will be uploaded to The Public Reviews website tomorrow but for now here's some opinions from other people at Summer Sundae.

First, I caught up with parents of a member of I am In Love. The couple from Milton Keynes had never been to a festival before.

I spoke to father, daughter, Cliff and Fiona about their highlights of the festival so far.

23-year-old Adam tells me his highlights so far.

In Pictures: Leicester Riots

Jacobs, Granby Street

Curve Side Cafe

Pound Stretcher, Granby Street

Exchange Bar - boarded up