Overview
The Round Robin Theatre was formed in January 2000 to provide a platform for the talents of people with learning difficulties.
The company is currently engaged on a new Project exploring the environment through the senses. This involves working with other community groups and schools, and will result in a film depicting the findings and progress everyone has made over the year.
A highlight of 2006 so far has been the Redoubt Replay event, held in the parade ground of the military museum known as the Redoubt in Eastbourne. Members of Round Robin Theatre expressed their reactions to this unique space and its history, by creating a visually impressive live performance lasting twenty minutes.
The Round Robin Theatre was formed in January 2000 to provide a platform for the talents of people with learning difficulties.
The company is currently engaged on a new Project exploring the environment through the senses. This involves working with other community groups and schools, and will result in a film depicting the findings and progress everyone has made over the year.
A highlight of 2006 so far has been the Redoubt Replay event, held in the parade ground of the military museum known as the Redoubt in Eastbourne. Members of Round Robin Theatre expressed their reactions to this unique space and its history, by creating a visually impressive live performance lasting twenty minutes.
The Flying Ship - November / December 2003
This was our most popular production to date.
Based on a traditional Russian folk-tale, it told the story of Dourak, a
simple peasant boy who sets out to marry the Tsar's daughter. In order to
do so, he must arrive in St. Petersburg in a flying ship - a seemingly impossible
task, long before aeroplanes were invented.
However, with the help of a mysterious, magical stranger and some extraordinarily gifted people he meets on the way, Dourak succeeds in accomplishing all the tasks the Tsar throws at him, such as finding the Pearl of Wisdom at the bottom of the sea or retrieving the Flame of Everlasting Life from the depths of the volcano. In the end, the Tsar capitulates, Dourak marries the Tsarevna and inherits his own kingdom.
The Round Robin actors loved this story, and brought a great deal of charm and humour to the characters they played.
With original music composed by Kristian Steffes and dancers from the Sussex School of Dance, the Flying Ship was a most imaginative, colourful and delightful show for Christmas.
2004 was a year of transition and experiment, when visiting director Tom Cook introduced some new approaches and began work on
“On The Wing”.
There was no performance in 2004 as Tom moved on in December, and new director Matt Young took over in January 2005.
However, with the help of a mysterious, magical stranger and some extraordinarily gifted people he meets on the way, Dourak succeeds in accomplishing all the tasks the Tsar throws at him, such as finding the Pearl of Wisdom at the bottom of the sea or retrieving the Flame of Everlasting Life from the depths of the volcano. In the end, the Tsar capitulates, Dourak marries the Tsarevna and inherits his own kingdom.
The Round Robin actors loved this story, and brought a great deal of charm and humour to the characters they played.
With original music composed by Kristian Steffes and dancers from the Sussex School of Dance, the Flying Ship was a most imaginative, colourful and delightful show for Christmas.
2004 was a year of transition and experiment, when visiting director Tom Cook introduced some new approaches and began work on
“On The Wing”.
There was no performance in 2004 as Tom moved on in December, and new director Matt Young took over in January 2005.
Another development provides opportunities for
Round Robin members to lead workshops, passing on skills and experiences
to other groups.
This new confidence and leadership springs from the 2005 Project called “On The Wing” (directed by Matt Young) in which the members expressed their frustration and longing for more independence and autonomy.
This work resulted in a performance of very personal sketches which moved the audience deeply, as it really conveyed what is is like to have a learning disability.
This new confidence and leadership springs from the 2005 Project called “On The Wing” (directed by Matt Young) in which the members expressed their frustration and longing for more independence and autonomy.
This work resulted in a performance of very personal sketches which moved the audience deeply, as it really conveyed what is is like to have a learning disability.
The History of Round Robin Theatre
How it evolved from being a social group,The Robin Club, into a separate drama group and then a
semi-professional theatre company, producing a lively show every Christmas for a family audience.
How it evolved from being a social group,The Robin Club, into a separate drama group and then a
semi-professional theatre company, producing a lively show every Christmas for a family audience.
Supported by professional artists and drama students,
the group produced its first public performance of the Pied Piper and the
Willow Pattern story in December 2000.
Pow Wow, a collection of traditional tales from the North American Indiantradition, followed in 2001.
A major breakthrough came in 2002 when Pow Wow toured to a number of other public venues in the South East Region.
Pow Wow, a collection of traditional tales from the North American Indiantradition, followed in 2001.
A major breakthrough came in 2002 when Pow Wow toured to a number of other public venues in the South East Region.
“On The Wing” was performed in Willingdon
School Drama Studio on 14th/15th October 2005, and then toured to the Barn
Theatre Southwick, The Hawth Studio in Crawley, and The Orpheus Centre in
Godstone.
© Compass Community Arts 2004
