After a short break for May bank holiday, all of the groups were back yesterday for a SpaceWorks filled evening.

First came the Cadets. Once the group had settled down and shared their news (there was a lot as it had been two whole weeks!), Sean set about dividing the Cadets into 3 groups and asking them to create an advert for an imaginary robo-product. This provided some excellent results including robo-toilet (comes with an X-box and toothbrush, available for £99 from Argos) and robo-slave (a clone that will go to school and do your chores for you and the best bit? It’s buy one get one free!). After a short break from a successful first half, Sean then told the Cadets that they would begin work on a dance to ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’ from the amazing Bugsy Malone. Although it was a very quick dance, the kids soon got the hang of it and Tevin’s cartwheels and Melissa’s splits took centre stage as the group showed off their best prohibition dancing.

Next up; the SYD. Sean had previously asked the group to bring in some script ideas for the term, resulting in readings of Billy Elliot and Blood Brothers for the first half of the session. Although the group seemed to really enjoy this (with Blood Brothers being the favourite…maybe due to the Scouse accents?!), Kirsty then came up with the inspired idea of creating a music video. This was incredibly well received and the SYDs set about deciding upon a song and some ideas for a dance. Watch this space as an SYD video could be gracing your screens very shortly! 

Last night’s WorkSpace was directed by Space volunteer, actress and all round wonder woman, Kaye Conway. She had decided that she would like to explore Commedia Dell’Arte with the group and maybe teach the gang a thing or two about this in the process. After a quick induction (every one seemed to be pretty clued up on the art form already which was a plus), Kaye began with a couple of warm-up exercises and then moved on to getting the group to portray animals, status greed and intention in their movement and conversation. Kaye introduced some mask work and tried to get WorkSpace members to be really exaggerated and over the top in their approach to these characters. After creating a short scene based mainly on death and master/servant relationships, the group were thoroughly worn out. We cannot wait for next week’s master class with Kaye again! 

Last Monday’s WorkSpace session, ran by the Space’s very own Adam Hemming had somewhat of a Shakespearean theme to it. After a few quick warm-ups and name games, Adam handed out a script (haven’t seen one of those in a while!) with a couple of Romeo and Juliet and King Lear extracts on it, getting the group slightly nervous but excited.

We began by looking at different ways which we could use movement and gestures in that oh so famous ‘Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?’ scene from the classic romantic tragedy. It’s very interesting to note how this impacts the comedy or drama of the scene as the slightest movement can have a great influence. We then looked at a balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and the storm scene in King Lear, practicing various ways in which to say the lines and how this effects that audiences’ interpretation of the piece. 

Overall, last Monday proved to be a highly successful session for WorkSpace and fantastic to see the group prove that the challenge of Shakespeare can not phase them!

Yesterday marked the second installment of the Docklands Youth Forum event management training for young people. This week, Justine was leading the group and talking them in to organising their first event, getting their creative juices flowing! 

The session was great. The group had come up with some really strong ideas for a venue and we had some great conversations about what kind of event would work and when…it all seems to be coming into place! With a summer fete, family day event decided upon and some  homework into researching venue and price to be done over the next coming week, this July event promises to be incredibly successful.

Next Monday will be the first of the SYD training sessions, however the group will be meeting at the earlier time of 5pm to get the ball rolling and work on their action points from yesterday. Cannot wait!

Last Monday was the first WorkSpace session back after Easter and the big SpaceWorks changeover….but how did the group cope?!

Everyone has been aware for a while now that last month marked the end of the SpaceWorks phase one, Alex’s position and as a result, the funding :( This, however didn’t phase the WorkSpace gang as they were all back with a vengeance last Monday to get stuck in to some drama! After a lovely reunion with everyone and a big welcome to new-commer, Heidi, Adam Hemming revealed himself as the new WorkSpace tutor.

The group kicked off with some warm-up exercises and games, reminding us of everyone’s names and easing the gang into the swing of things here at the Space. Adam worked on some concentration exercises in which a few apples were thrown around the room, making sure that WorkSpace members were on the ball at all times! He then laid out some objects around the room (ranging from a French flag to a toy spider) which the group had to react to and create short improvisations based on these reactions. This proved to be a very funny exercise, and Antonella’s argument with Andy about his deceased wife’s fan was a particular highlight. Adam then encouraged the team to make three smaller groups and chose three objects in which to base a devised piece of drama on. This was a great success! Steven’s representation of a woman was amazing as was Christine’s teddy bear voice! Once the team had created their scenes, we played around with the inclusion and exclusion of props to highlight the fact that they shouldn’t be relied upon so much and then it was time to part!

What a great session back Monday was and a fantastic way to start the new WorkSpace term. 

Yesterday marked the first in a series of Event Management Training sessions for our Space teenagers. This training promises to teach the young people how to create an event; making them think of the smallest of details (legal fees, informing emergency services etc) and telling them NOT to leave anything to chance. After the end of the course they will have (successfully) put on three separate events of their choice, whilst working as a team in order to do so. 

The session proved to be a great success! We had a fantastic turn out, including quite a few new faces which was lovely. The group had some amazing ideas for events that they would be interested in producing (a summer fete for families, music evening and sports day) and got really stuck in with their ideas. After they had been taught the basics, they let their imaginations run away with them and discussed having branded ponchos for an outdoors event and security if the party was in a public place….all very clever! They then worked on planning timings and when certain things should be done by (deciding upon the venue by next week!) and everything seemed a bit more real.

Overall, the event management training proved to be a great session. The teenagers were engaged and really seemed to enjoy the planning and negotiating. With pizza in the break (Kirsty shotgunned the garlic sauce) and sweets being munched throughout, the group had a fantastic time and we look forward to seeing how their plans will develop in the following weeks. 

Last Saturday was the first performance of the SpaceWorks Triple Decker; a chance for all SpaceWorks members to perform on the same date in between Space Production’s two part performances of Nicholas Nickleby. This was the first time EVER that this had occurred and all SpaceWorks members were very excited by the proposition. Everyone arrived promptly at 5.45pm, in costume, ready to perform. After a stressful few moments of getting people seated, collecting money for tickets and preparing the groups, we were ready to perform!

Kicking the evening off began the Cadets and their rendition of Smike songs plus some devised scenes created by the groups. This was fantastic! The children provided us with some excellent entertainment and did not disappoint. Singing, dancing and acting was all top notch and the performance went on without a hitch. Special recognition should be given to Space Cadet Tevin Edwards who stood in for Bailey at the last minute and delivered both his and her lines without flaw. Well done, Tevin, top banana! 

Next up was the WorkSpace gang who were performing a cut scene from David Edgar’s adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby. This went down a storm and once again, the group wowed the audience with their tremendously humorous and over the top scene detailing the goings-on of a corrupt political system. Last but by no means least, was the SYD performance. During this show, the group performed a few scenes for a couple of plays including ‘That Face’ and ‘You Can See the Hills’. This proved to be wildly entertaining for the audience and despite having a few members missing, the SYDs provided the audience with a fantastically entertaining show.

All in all, a massive congratulations and well done should be said to all SpaceWorks members who performed last Saturday. For those who missed out, the Cadets have only ONE more performance left whereas WorkSpace and SYD have two over the course of the next couple of Saturdays. For more information and how to book tickets, please visit out website here http://space.org.uk/?p=6551 or call 020 7515 7799

Name: Charlotte

Age: 10 this year but now I’m 9 and a half

Born: I think North London or Central London but I can’t remember. It was in a hospital though.

Live: Limehouse with my Mum and Dad.

School: Cubit Town Junior, I’m in year 5.

Do You Like School? It’s alright, as long as I don’t get bullied. We are learning about rivers at the moment. My favourite thing to do is Art, I like drawing, painting and making sculptures.

What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up? I want to work in a pet shop and a zoo and be a song writer.

Do You Like Animals Then? Yes, I’ve got a cat and a dog and I volunteer on a farm. My dog’s called Annabella, it had 11 puppies and my cat’s called Fluffy.

What Do You Do After School? Usually I have clubs. On a Monday I go to Cadets, on a Tuesday I go swimming, on a Wednesday I go to Cub Scouts, on a Thursday I just go home and on Friday I go to hula hoop club and then I watch ‘Tracey Beaker Returns’.

What Do You Do on the Weekends? I do a lot of trips and go to a lot of places. In June I’m going to Normandy in France with Cubs.

How Long Have You Been Coming to the Space? Since the Super Hero play.

What Do You Like About it Here? You get to wear costumes, perform, get over your fears.

Does Anyone From Your School Go Here? Two people; Sebastian and Zoe.

Have You Got Anymore Thoughts That You’d Like to Share? It’s cool.

 Thank you, Charlotte. We are looking forward to seeing you perform tomorrow at the SpaceWorks Triple Decker.

Last Monday WorkSpace set about furiously rehearsing their Nicholas Nickleby scene in preparation for their performance this Saturday. The group will be performing one of the edited scenes of Space Productions ‘The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby’ staring Sir Matthew Pupker and Mr Bonney (corrupt politicians who just don’t have a clue!). Due to member’s availability over the Easter period, each three performances will star different actors from the group, giving everyone who wanted a leading role their chance in the spotlight. 

Alex decided that after a quick few warm up games, last Monday’s session would be dedicated to running the scenes in time for Saturday’s performances. This proved to be great and WorkSpace produced some fantastic results. Each performance will be very different due to the chance in characters however this is only a good thing and WorkSpace members promise to rise to the challenge.

Tickets are on sale now for the SpaceWorks Triple Decker that WorkSpace are performing in. Check out the event page on the Space website for more information and a chance to buy those bargain £2 tickets. http://space.org.uk/?p=6551

Last Monday, again marked the SYD final rehearsals before their performance this Saturday. Again, this meant that the group had a great deal to rehearse before curtain up. Sean immediately set about discussing the SYD’s availability for the shows and re-working some of the scenes based on who couldn’t be there due to school exams. This turned out fine in the end and we (hopefully) have a full cast for the scenes on each Saturday. We then got down to business and rehearsed all of the scenes that the group will be performing on the day. 

The SYD’s have improved dramatically over the course of this term and their scenes are shaping up to be fantastic. A mixture of comedy, drama and poignancy will be presented this Saturday and the portrayal of teenage talent should not be missed. The group will be performing from 6pm with tickets costing only £2. To find out more information, check out the event page on the Space website. http://space.org.uk/?p=6551