John Ford Project
(Click here to visit the young people's pages)
The performance of John Ford's Story took place in the dramatic setting of Buckland Abbey's barn on Saturday September 24th. It opened with a colourful and lively Elizabethan style fair involving plate spinning, scarf juggling, dance and balancing acts, accompanied by musicians such as Wren Music's Roots A Cappella group and MED Theatre young people.
The play about the life and works of Dartmoor's very own 17th century playwright then took the stage introduced by a film, set in the 1920s. All elements of the production were created by the talented 13-19 year olds, from the writing of the script, the shooting of the film, the making of the masks, the choreographing of the dance, the composing and playing of the music, the lighting operation, to the acting and direction of the production.
The young cast performed the play for a final time in the attractive setting of Burrator Reservoir, very relevant to the local heritage as the ruins of the house of one of the characters in the play, John Elford of Sheepstor, provided a dramatic backdrop. Congratulations to Wild Nights Young Company for producing what was labelled a "polished and professional" performance.
A residential was held at Pixie's Holt Training Centre as part of the larger project, to give them some more inspiration for the play that they created.
 |
|
 |
 |
John Ford Workshops
There had also been a number of workshops such as mask-making, 17th century dance and music and various outings. In these workshops, the young people discovered the era and made masks which they thoroughly used in their play.
 |
 |