Share this:

Aisha Bellamy reaching for the stars

Great News! Good luck to Aisha Bellamy who was the wonderful soloist for Taunton Theatre Association’s production of Hansel and Gretel in December 2013 

Hansel and Gretel under the Witch’s Spell

Amidst the gloom and doom of winter (and the occasional 65mph gust of wind and rain) we saw a production of Hansel and Gretel on Castle Green. The show was the brainwave of Beccy Armory (one of TTA’s founder members) who wrote directed and produced the piece.

Over 500 people enjoyed the show which was supported by a wider range of local organisations and individuals. Huge thanks to TDBC, Somerset Museum and the Knights Rest for helping us with the venue (and free food too!). Lights by Bright, Sound and staging by Liv’nUp. Dancing by the Nicky Jenks Dance School. The Stagecoach and Trull Primary School choir. Okoko’s Firestarter mix. Taunton Thespians, The Space and CiciCic for rehearsal space. Live music from Big Noise and Taunton Ukulele Strummers Club, the witches cottage animation by Alex Lovegrove. Zeralynx for print and ADK for posters and design work. Added to that a brilliant cast who enthralled us with the musical tale of Hansel and Gretel (who lived happily ever after of course). Not to forget over 30 volunteer stewards and 30 production support staff to keep the wheels going round.

We hope that if you came you enjoyed the show, we raised over £250 towards the theatre funds too!

Share this:

Hansel and Gretel, Taunton, 19, 20 &21 December

Wood, sweets, breadcrumbs, wood cutter, two children (and a witch) what could be better… Last chance to audition – register now! Are you a budding Hansel, Gretel, Father or (ahem) a witch? #takepart #Christmasshow

 

Hansel and Gretel is a specially commissioned promenade performance produced in conjunction with Taunton Theatre Association Ltd, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Somerset Museums, Taunton Town Centre Company and many other local performers and local businesses. 

Local Filmakers need support to finish documentary about regional theatre …

Making The Cut seeking your help #RegionalTheatre!

Local filmakers Emma & Sumo are at a crucial stage of production and need our help to finish the documentary and get it seen.

They’ve taken great care in putting a #Kickstarter campaign together so you can help from just £1.

Can you be a hero and donate a single £1?

Can you be a superhero and give the full £2500?

This is a time limted offer, you only have until July 17th to make a difference!

Donate Now!

Please #help to bring this vital piece of research to the public domain. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1404324829/making-the-cut-regional-theatre-arts-and-culture-d?ref=email 

Taunton Theatre Association – NEWS

Taunton Deane Borough Council is currently negotiating with the administrator of the Brewhouse to buy the remaining lease of the building. TDBC owns the land and, due to Arts Council England placing an initial condition on capital funding, the Brewhouse can only be leased, if it is managed as a theatre and arts venue. However, this is only until 2016. Structural problems are also being assessed and will inevitably be a factor in negotiations.

Meanwhile, Taunton Theatre Association has been formed as an umbrella group representing many different societies and approaches, including the Taunton Association of Performing Arts, the Royal Society of Arts, the Somerset ArtGallery Trust and the Civic Society. The TTA is working with Cllr John Meikle,well known for his leadership in establishing the Brewhouse Theatre and his ongoing support for the arts, and Cllr Eddie Gaines, who has been active in leading the campaign to re-open the theatre.

The Association submitted a community-led bid to the administrator in April. This proposed a pluralistic business model, with the building run by a small team of professionals and a wide volunteer base. It is intended to produce a balanced programme of internationaland national touring companies, alongside local productions and a mix of visualarts and other art forms. Education and outreach work are also critical.

The Association intends to raise its profile and seek acting trustees to overseethe process of setting up a charitable trust or a Community Interest Company, starting with a stand outside the Brewhouse at Somerfest on Saturday 15 June.