Bill Hamblett's Posts - National Theatre Wales Community2024-03-29T04:48:15ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHambletthttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2986222935?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blog/feed?user=37ek4xy56o96g&xn_auth=nothe Sea Empresstag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2021-11-19:3152760:BlogPost:3388502021-11-19T18:24:11.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>Just watched Gavin Porter, Di Ford & Naomi Chiffi's Sea Empress film and remember the smell of the oil on the wind flowing over the mountain and being able to smell it in Ceredigion. What a lovely put together film. Good to capture these memories.</p>
<p>It invoked memories of that era. Ann and I had been working on environmental, ecological theatre for about 16 years at that time in 1996 so we put an artist response together to it, harnessing the outrage and anger that the huge scale…</p>
<p>Just watched Gavin Porter, Di Ford & Naomi Chiffi's Sea Empress film and remember the smell of the oil on the wind flowing over the mountain and being able to smell it in Ceredigion. What a lovely put together film. Good to capture these memories.</p>
<p>It invoked memories of that era. Ann and I had been working on environmental, ecological theatre for about 16 years at that time in 1996 so we put an artist response together to it, harnessing the outrage and anger that the huge scale destruction the spill caused in a performance piece using poetry and puppetry. The community response to the spill was fiery and as volatile as the polluted air.<br/><br/></p>
<p></p>
<p>The piece was titled Bankers in Tankers but with early co-creating instincts engaged with audiences the performance included references to Wankers in Tankers.</p>
<p>There was a small backlash, not for using Wankers in the performance piece but from the port workers fearing for their jobs. In those days we had no phones that could take videos and we were too engaged performing it to get it filmed.</p>
<p>So now with the commitment to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables how will Milford respond to the challenge?</p>
<p>Will the thousands of green jobs materialize that are needed to respond to the inevitable closing of the oil port, the petrol cracking plant, bitumen industry and gas terminal based there ? Milford Haven is a valuable west facing deep port (except for a few tricky rocks) Will the new fleet of huge multi masted cargo sailing boats be launched from there in years to come? Will the solar collecting sails be manufactured in Wales at all?</p>
<p>At the moment as soon as many big ships and ferries get 12 miles out you can see the diesel fuel change over to heavy oil as pillars of dirty black smoke billow out in the first hundred yards of international waters just over the horizon.</p>
<p>Creative thinking is needed now, well it was needed 40 years ago but there you go big industry was and still is great at not listening.</p>
<p></p>Surely the weight must be lifted soontag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2021-06-21:3152760:BlogPost:3361082021-06-21T13:57:55.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>The weight of a cromlech capstone in Newport, Pembrokeshire, feels heavy and monumentally permanent. The sunset at Tresaith glorious and hopeful offering something better soon. If only this stasis would bend and release resetting this temporal freeze. </p>
<p>One can dream while looking to the west at the solstice time.…<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9121206068?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9121206068?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>The weight of a cromlech capstone in Newport, Pembrokeshire, feels heavy and monumentally permanent. The sunset at Tresaith glorious and hopeful offering something better soon. If only this stasis would bend and release resetting this temporal freeze. </p>
<p>One can dream while looking to the west at the solstice time.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9121206068?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9121206068?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Bill</p>As Festival UK *2022 is being called the Brexit Festival who will partake?tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2020-09-27:3152760:BlogPost:2917222020-09-27T17:12:17.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>It seems the Arts Council Wales has launched the application process for the Festival UK*2022 but is this not B Johnson's BREXIT FESTIVAL? ? </p>
<p>As 95% of the creative industries did not vote for Brexit who wants this Festival?</p>
<p>By the time this festival happens, if it goes ahead, we may well find that touring in Europe will be very difficult and very expensive. Admin will increase and extra expenses for the carnet system will make it almost impossible for small companies to make a…</p>
<p>It seems the Arts Council Wales has launched the application process for the Festival UK*2022 but is this not B Johnson's BREXIT FESTIVAL? ? </p>
<p>As 95% of the creative industries did not vote for Brexit who wants this Festival?</p>
<p>By the time this festival happens, if it goes ahead, we may well find that touring in Europe will be very difficult and very expensive. Admin will increase and extra expenses for the carnet system will make it almost impossible for small companies to make a tour pay. Also European bookers will be discouraged from using UK / Welsh companies and won't want to afford absorbing these extra costs. It will also be harder for European companies and individual artists to apply to perform here. As well as paying the extra fees for an individual performers licences. So what is there to celebrate.</p>
<p>There are some critics saying that the UK's aesthetic standards are very low as a result of continued cuts in funding and the uk governments latent hostility to the arts because of our critical voice. This does not bode well for presenting "The best of Britain" with Wales tacked on the side too.</p>
<p>Of course in this time of anxiety and genuine fear of imminent demise of theatre companies, and associated artists, technicians, freelancers and musicians the pressure to take part in this festival must tempt many to apply to take the £100,000 and survive while trying to dissociate from the clustered flack that leaving Europe without grown up arrangements in place will leave us dodging.</p>
<p>Not having looked at the application process I'm unsure what UK government really want to promote with this festival, but as they are prime promoters of chaos they may well like to support content that is critical of their acknowledged incompetence, who knows? (not likely)</p>
<p>I am wondering what, if any, other theatre companies, directors, performers are thinking about this BREXIT festival as it is already being characterised as. I can only imagine the multi clauses in the contracts and the restrictions and compliance mechanisms that need adhering to, and the reams of paper one must sign to take part in corporate UK's expression of the STATE of the Nation would be exhausting. We also have to consider the designated role that Wales will be obliged to play in these 10 expressions of creativity.</p>
<p>As you can see I am not impressed with the concept and do not wish to be dangling on a zip wire waving the union jack but others may have a different take on FESTIVAL UK * 2022</p>
<p>The organisers are already saying<span> this.."this is going to be a great and valuable world-beating project.” so we can guess where this may be heading. ............... And the contract for security goes to..... Serco</span></p>
<p><span>Why on earth would you hold the best of Britain festival...in Britain.. the only proof of this pudding is if it were to staged in 10 European capitals. That may actually show how well Brexit is working. Too br</span>ave?</p>
<p>ps . I believe the asterisk after UK* indicates that have no idea what they want from it artistically.</p>
<p> Who do you think will get a look in?</p>Theatres in shutdowntag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2020-03-18:3152760:BlogPost:2886612020-03-18T10:06:02.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>We at Small World Theatre have closed to the public, Not only have visiting acts cancelled decimating a great programme of shows and events, a straw poll of audience members and event providers concur that as Government advice is to avoid theatres there will be no audience to buy tickets. A predictable response. As we are not ACW supported, have no core funds to sustain us we face a very uncertain period. We really wish to carry on and get back up running when this virus is under control. As…</p>
<p>We at Small World Theatre have closed to the public, Not only have visiting acts cancelled decimating a great programme of shows and events, a straw poll of audience members and event providers concur that as Government advice is to avoid theatres there will be no audience to buy tickets. A predictable response. As we are not ACW supported, have no core funds to sustain us we face a very uncertain period. We really wish to carry on and get back up running when this virus is under control. As with most of you who work in the arts we are worried that the future of theatre in Wales and UK will need help to reboot. The ACW investment review is postponed for a year, one supposes so they can see who emerges in tact. Is there need for a forum or a collective response to ensure Wales Government can deliver stabilisation and clearer paths for arts companies to survive this period of deep uncertainty. UK Government plans for support are not yet clear, detailed, nor a clear path to accessing them available. Guidance is needed. </p>
<p>Will this be an ugly competitive scramble for funds to survive or will the arts sector respond with a shared purpose.</p>
<p>Time will tell, but we need to start a sector dialogue to see if we can gather strength to turn this crisis into a rational plan </p>
<p>In the meantime I hope we can generate a positive movement even if movement seems restricted</p>
<p></p>
<p>Bill</p>
<p></p>Ironictag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2019-10-24:3152760:BlogPost:2875032019-10-24T17:03:13.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>Ironic that being a theatre director , performer and maker it all gets too busy, all at once, and it is hard to get to actually see other pieces of theatre, events and shows. Managed to catch On Bear Ridge at the Sherman but that is a 4 hour round trip. Wanting to see Monolith at the Principality Stadium but booked and working on those days.</p>
<p> i should post up our events as we have 3 or even 4 lantern parades ending up with the 4th Cardigan lantern parade that attracted over 10,000…</p>
<p>Ironic that being a theatre director , performer and maker it all gets too busy, all at once, and it is hard to get to actually see other pieces of theatre, events and shows. Managed to catch On Bear Ridge at the Sherman but that is a 4 hour round trip. Wanting to see Monolith at the Principality Stadium but booked and working on those days.</p>
<p> i should post up our events as we have 3 or even 4 lantern parades ending up with the 4th Cardigan lantern parade that attracted over 10,000 people last year</p>
<p></p>
<p>Also we are one of the open Voices festival of music in Cardigan and host about six acts and a live screen of other venues with food and drink available till late on Nov 1 and 2. I wish there was some £in it but should be an interesting town full of people again.</p>Cragentag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2018-08-30:3152760:BlogPost:2784982018-08-30T11:44:48.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1434068936?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1434068936?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> The Cragen lands.</p>
<p>From inside the belly of the beast:</p>
<p>Making a monster.</p>
<p>Small World had an idea, let’s make a monster that comes from the deep, a mysterious big presence that arrives on a Welsh beach and drops off a load of ocean plastic. Somehow communicating that this stuff is new to the ocean environment and not wanted. For millennia the creatures of…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1434068936?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1434068936?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center" width="750"/></a>The Cragen lands.</p>
<p>From inside the belly of the beast:</p>
<p>Making a monster.</p>
<p>Small World had an idea, let’s make a monster that comes from the deep, a mysterious big presence that arrives on a Welsh beach and drops off a load of ocean plastic. Somehow communicating that this stuff is new to the ocean environment and not wanted. For millennia the creatures of the deep did not have to deal with this new element. And now You humans can have it back.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We will build a floating platform and use recycled materials, ocean plastic and the flotsam and jetsam that drifts in the sea and a wealth of other recycled materials found, saved and sourced to construct this work of art.</p>
<p>Small World Theatre has made shows featuring floating plastic islands and talking turtles choking on plastic. From inception and have been a theatre company with environmental themes and sustainability at our core since it founded in 1979. Imagine how David Attenborough’s Blue Planet upped the tempo after we have put in our bid with Visit Wales to tour this in the Year of the sea.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the time we had the go ahead the beaches in West Wales were spotless and visible plastic free due to a fantastic community response. Great but we will have to go to the yard where they dump it all to sift through for suitable plastic. In the meantime, build the floating platform.</p>
<p>Off for advice to Nick Newland of Swallow Boats. Sure enough great advice and what is this in a hedge a long thin hull and at a crazy angle and another hull. Its an old catamaran in pieces with a tree pining it to the sandy bank. Unearthing this discarded boat on the edge of the estuary, we had found a perfect platform to assemble and build upon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Soon donated kayaks appeared from a Facebook call out. And with a bit of mending and adding old plastic 25lite drums on to them as out riggers we had a hump and a tale. All this inspired by the 16<sup>th</sup> centuary illustrations we viewed in the archive at the Lampeter universities s library.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The blue water pipe left over from the replacing off our villages mains water was perfect recycled plastic with which to draw in 3 dimensions creating the shape and a very old thin donated tarpaulin was found to cover the shapes of the head, hump and tail. This unified it, and a scaly paint job helped too. Underground drainage pipe for lips and other detail pulled the design together. Hours of washing and flattening big plastic milk cartons covered the end of rolls underfloor heating pipe that made up the snapping claws and we were ready to cast it afloat for a test run.</p>
<p>Lighten the load, balance the boat, shift the transom and deploy a person in the tail with an electric outboard and an anchor and the next sea trial will have it working to performance standard. After 4 page risk assessment and contacting the commander of a missile base to make sure it was not going to be a target we sought high and low for insurance cover.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As we strike land the beach-based performance is in full swing. The sounds of the deep echo across the bay the monster’s the gills flap, the claws snap and antennae search out the dry land. The Crypto Zoologist and a strange aquatic creature meet the Cragen the audience greet her in the newly learnt Cragenish language. The tongue is the mechanism whereby the ocean plastic and other plastic waste is delivered almost vomiting it back to the beach.</p>
<p>First contact has been made with this sentient species who know the world as planet water as dry land only comprises 29% of the planet. 4,000 people at the last show.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thoughts on concept and some Influences</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Illustrations from 16<sup>th</sup> century book of sea creatures</p>
<p>Close encounters of the third kind</p>
<p>This is the next show on from “The Lightning Path” with plastic island and choking turtle</p>
<p>A life of body surfing globally (62 years)</p>
<p>Countless shows in Africa, Asia & the middle East about subjects leading to behavioural change.</p>
<p>Street shows and spectaculars</p>
<p>The beach as a performance space</p>
<p>The strand as no mans land, liminal and un owned.</p>
<p>Our arts and sustainability ethos</p>
<p>Other Artists and writers focussing on the deep</p>
<p>Is this an anthropomorphic representation of the deep a creature representing all the sea life? NO - The arts community would reel in horror. How tasteless how direct how tacky.</p>
<p>It is however exploring the idea if the ocean were to evolve a creature to communicate what would it be like ? made of/ Say? waste . it would have to speak of pollution. It would want us to grow up and take responsibility for our shit and be manufactured from recycled non bio-degradeables. Stop the unthinking heating up of oceans mindlessly. Care about fish stocks , Cofio Pysgotta etc. or is that just us ? of course it is just us. We are Small World Theatre after all. One makes work addressing interconnected issues for 4 decades so yes this is what we shall do. The work is not a sledgehammer if anything it is fairly soft and has a wide appeal. It has been described as a spark in the dark but as the world may seem to make great leaps backwards there is still hope when our beaches are so clean and crisp bag manufacture is in the public arena.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Into 2018tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2017-11-10:3152760:BlogPost:2718562017-11-10T16:36:22.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>Our Massive 7.6M Bendigaidfran giant is sitting in an exhibition about Legends with 2 Hockneys in Aberystwyth. as well as a new legend Plastigwealod rendered as an animated short made over 2 days with 14 participants. Exhibiting till mid January. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>Next : Public workshops and groups are now joining us At Small World Theatre in Cardigan to make the most wonderful Lantern…</p>
<p>Our Massive 7.6M Bendigaidfran giant is sitting in an exhibition about Legends with 2 Hockneys in Aberystwyth. as well as a new legend Plastigwealod rendered as an animated short made over 2 days with 14 participants. Exhibiting till mid January. <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p>Next : Public workshops and groups are now joining us At Small World Theatre in Cardigan to make the most wonderful Lantern parade ready to roll on December 8th. Legendary figures filled with light are being constructed by hundreds of participants.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439316?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439316?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>street loads of people .light and music ending up in the Castle</p>
<p></p>
<p>We have a great programme of activities happening so check these out smallworld.org.uk. great bands, events, The wonderful 'Black is the Colour of my Voice theatre presentation</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439368?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439368?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>With us November 24 don't miss this</p>
<p>Our Theatre has been rigged for Flying" and Dea is running ropes, silk,s trapeeze workshops Fantastic stuff</p>
<p>Our new extension a flexible space is being built so look out for new opportunities to fill it</p>
<p></p>Into 2018tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2017-11-10:3152760:BlogPost:2719612017-11-10T16:34:58.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>Our Massive 7.6M Bendigaidfran giant is sitting in an exhibition about Legends with 2 Hockneys in Aberystwyth. as well as a new legend Plastigwealod rendered as an animated short made over 2 days with 14 participants. Exhibiting till mid January. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>Next : Public workshops and groups are now joining us At Small World Theatre in Cardigan to make the most wonderful Lantern…</p>
<p>Our Massive 7.6M Bendigaidfran giant is sitting in an exhibition about Legends with 2 Hockneys in Aberystwyth. as well as a new legend Plastigwealod rendered as an animated short made over 2 days with 14 participants. Exhibiting till mid January. <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439156?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p>Next : Public workshops and groups are now joining us At Small World Theatre in Cardigan to make the most wonderful Lantern parade ready to roll on December 8th. Legendary figures filled with light are being constructed by hundreds of participants.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439316?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439316?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>street loads of people .light and music ending up in the Castle</p>
<p></p>
<p>We have a great programme of activities happening so check these out smallworld.org.uk. great bands, events, The wonderful 'Black is the Colour of my Voice theatre presentation</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439368?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999439368?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>With us November 24 don't miss this</p>
<p>Our Theatre has been rigged for Flying" and Dea is running ropes, silk,s trapeeze workshops Fantastic stuff</p>
<p>Our new extension a flexible space is being built so look out for new opportunities to fill it</p>
<p></p>Performance opportunity with Small World Theatre
We are looking for an actor / puppeteer
Essential Skills:
Confident performer
Desirable Skills:
Experience of working with puppetry
Experience of work…tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2017-03-28:3152760:BlogPost:2644932017-03-28T15:46:59.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p><b><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999440354?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999440354?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> Performance opportunity with Small World Theatre<br></br></b></p>
<p>We are looking for an actor / puppeteer</p>
<p><b>Essential Skills:</b></p>
<p>Confident performer</p>
<p><b>Desirable Skills:</b></p>
<p>Experience of working with puppetry</p>
<p>Experience of working in English and Welsh languages</p>
<p>Experience running workshops with young…</p>
<p><b><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999440354?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999440354?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Performance opportunity with Small World Theatre<br/></b></p>
<p>We are looking for an actor / puppeteer</p>
<p><b>Essential Skills:</b></p>
<p>Confident performer</p>
<p><b>Desirable Skills:</b></p>
<p>Experience of working with puppetry</p>
<p>Experience of working in English and Welsh languages</p>
<p>Experience running workshops with young people</p>
<p>Sings</p>
<p>Has some experience with theatre tech and the rigors of touring</p>
<p>We will hold auditions for the part in our show “The Lightning Path” at Small World Theatre in Cardigan during April</p>
<p>You will be asked to manipulate puppets and deliver lines for that character</p>
<p><em><strong>It would especially suit a performer who is based in West Wales</strong></em></p>
<p><b>Please send your CV for shortlisting to arrive with us before April 4th</b></p>
<p>email to <a href="mailto:ann@smallworld.org.uk">ann@smallworld.org.uk</a> </p>
<p>or by post to:</p>
<p>Ann Shrosbree</p>
<p>Small World Theatre,</p>
<p> Bath House Road,</p>
<p> Cardigan,</p>
<p> Ceredigion.</p>
<p> SA431JY.</p>
<p>There may be other opportunities for actor / puppeteers for other work with us so keep checking <a href="http://www.smallworld.org.uk">www.smallworld.org.uk</a></p>Who controls the drones in my skytag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2014-02-19:3152760:BlogPost:1876282014-02-19T13:22:13.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>So here we are in west Wales and occasionally there is the strange sound of a lawn mower above your head. What? ! Who’s trimming the clouds today? Ahh it’s another DRONE test. A few months ago one fell out of the sky and landed in a field “NOT IN MY BACK YARD” But of course this is not just a N I M B Y subject, drones could get everywhere. We need the space for our community to creatively discuss this controversial subject and share different views.</p>
<p>Is it just a distraction that…</p>
<p>So here we are in west Wales and occasionally there is the strange sound of a lawn mower above your head. What? ! Who’s trimming the clouds today? Ahh it’s another DRONE test. A few months ago one fell out of the sky and landed in a field “NOT IN MY BACK YARD” But of course this is not just a N I M B Y subject, drones could get everywhere. We need the space for our community to creatively discuss this controversial subject and share different views.</p>
<p>Is it just a distraction that Amazon (why are they called Amazon when they cut down so many forests to wrap their trinkets.). I digress. When Amazon gets more media time when it only suggests it may deliver stuff with DRONES. If I digress more and will soon be accused of droning on.</p>
<p>In <u>our</u> community these “Unmanned surveillance and weapons equipped aerial devices” are a reality. Not in the same way as a community in, lets say, Afghanistan is affected by them. For a start, we are told they don’t carry weapons in Wales but is west Wales part of a programme that assists surveillance and remote killing?</p>
<p>We have no say and are told it is this a vital multi billion pound industry for Wales?</p>
<p>The title of our proposed project is “So who controls the drones in my sky” So who is asking this question? Not just us in Cardigan and Aberporth but should all of Wales just ignore it. Whose remit is it? This is a private company testing these things but it was funded from Europe and how is it supported from elsewhere? Who controls the drones in my sky? Just how do we work out how many lives are taken and how many lives are saved?</p>
<p>There are a myriad of questions, a wide range of opinions and surely a discussion and exploration with theatre is needed to focus this important subject</p>
<p>My sky is what I breathe; it begins at my feet and stretches all around my small world. I don’t have to recognise national airspace, drones don’t, (although testing here is limited to 500 square miles.) I share my sky with people in the Middle East, Russia, the Amazon, the USA, North Korea, Cardiff and more.</p>
<p>This airspace affects us all. It pays us back for our efforts with climate changes. It’s hard to stop myself from digressing again but Small World Theatre has been professionally explaining “The interconnectedness of everything” for longer than any other theatre company. We would really like to work with National Theatre Wales to explore the impact of the use of drones locally, nationally and internationally. This is a subject that needs the flexibility of theatre to do it justice</p>
<p>Please VOTE for us by going to this link <a href="http://nationaltheatrewales.org/assembly/assembly-vote-2014">http://nationaltheatrewales.org/assembly/assembly-vote-2014</a></p>
<p>Thanks Bill</p>A new paradigm can be created with theatre.tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2011-06-28:3152760:BlogPost:622102011-06-28T12:00:07.000ZBill Hambletthttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/BillHamblett
<p>A new paradigm can be created with theatre. We've done it, you may have done it too.</p>
<p>Recently Small World Theatre has been touring Wales and Ireland with The Healing of Bran an out door performance event using one of the biggest , if not the biggest human powered, Human shaped animate (puppet / Giant) 25ft walking, 90 kilo dry weight</p>
<p>Until now the story of Brân was alive only in an old Welsh classic tucked safely away in the Mabinogion. Missing for over a millennium, Brân’s…</p>
<p>A new paradigm can be created with theatre. We've done it, you may have done it too.</p>
<p>Recently Small World Theatre has been touring Wales and Ireland with The Healing of Bran an out door performance event using one of the biggest , if not the biggest human powered, Human shaped animate (puppet / Giant) 25ft walking, 90 kilo dry weight</p>
<p>Until now the story of Brân was alive only in an old Welsh classic tucked safely away in the Mabinogion. Missing for over a millennium, Brân’s scattered body has been discovered by Small World Theatre’s ‘Society of Brân’. </p>
<p>Brân’s HQ is set up on the waterfront, marina or riverbank. It is the crucible, the melting pot of history and myth. The old story reinterpreted, the new myth emerging. </p>
<p>Bendigeidfran is brought to life by the harmonic sounds of choir, and intensely focused retro-engineered ritual, conducted by giant tricycle riding necromancers. Fresh from the boat his head is the last to arrive – still talking. "There is no leader who is not a bridge"</p>
<img class="align-center" style="padding: 2px;" width="333" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2999360163?profile=original"/><br />
<p>THE HEALING OF BRÂN THE BLESSED takes up the story in the present day, the performers re-assemble the giant, bringing him to life, helping him stand and walk. </p>
<p>This is a very magical and people have said emotional moment for the audience. The healing of Brân represents the healing of his people and in turn the healing of the Celtic nations. As Brân speaks, his voice, deep and sonorous, recites in the Welsh language. The performers’ English commentary helps the audience understand the tale. </p>
<p>Brân is a hero, a King and a Bridge to his people. The nature of that bridge to the ancient Celtic-Brythonic-Welsh mind must have been multi-layered This seems to have been what audiences especially in Ireland have picked up on. The discussion in Wales was focussed more on the frailties of the sound bite masquerading as a policy called the Big Society. The ambition of the show to heal the Celtic nations Ambitious? Yes, achievable ? well yes, in small ways for those who came to speak to the performers post show. They talk about ways to look at where people can a bridge to each other especially when world politics and economics are failing them. This is not by any means a discussion about Royalty or hierarchy. it seems to develop on the lines of people realising their connection with each other. In societies that are more and more screen based this seems to offer a rare shared space, a shared experience that is as sophisticated as it is emotional. </p>
<p>Bran is coming to Newport (gwent) on the 9th of October see for yourself</p>
<p>Bill Hamblett June 2011</p>
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