THE DREAMER AWAKES:
A JOURNEY THROUGH STORY, MUSIC AND MEMORIES
For those of you who missed the broadcast of The Dreamer Awakes on 8th March.
‘The Dreamer Awakes,’ is an ongoing project bringing traditional storytelling to new audiences to harness and access its healing properties (i.e. generating community, holding, as well as entertainment) while acting as a vehicle to encourage discussion and remembering. One of its early aims was to gather the older residents of Haddenham, (a rural village in Buckinghamshire) together after the isolation of lockdown, and make contact with some of the more vulnerable members in their homes. On a personal level the research is an ongoing exploration into linking traditional oral storytelling with technology, i.e. sound and moving imagery. The first part of ‘The Dreamer Awakes’ culminated in an i) open rehearsal at Wycombe Arts Centre, High Wycombe in October 2022 for an invited local audience, ii) and an interactive memory workshop with the older residents of Haddenham in November 2022. The second part of the project is an edited version of ‘The 7 Wild Geese’, layered with music, and recorded memories, to be broadcast on SoundArt Radio March 8th @ 1pm to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The Dreamer Awakes was created by Anna Walker, PhD, with musical composition by Ben Park, percussion by JT. The performance was directed by Michael Harvey, and the radio broadcast was produced by Lucinda Guy.
Funded by Farnham Maltings + The Rothschild Foundation, with support from Wycombe Arts, and The Public Engagement fund, Plymouth University.
The Dreamer Awakes was created by Anna Walker, PhD, with musical composition by Ben Park, percussion by JT. The performance was directed by Michael Harvey, and the radio broadcast was produced by Lucinda Guy.
Funded by Farnham Maltings + The Rothschild Foundation, with support from Wycombe Arts, and The Public Engagement fund, Plymouth University.
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PERFORMANCE: October 8th 2022, 7.30pm @ Wycombe Arts Centre
A heart-warming telling of a Unique Tale: 'The 7 Wild Geese.' Together, Michael, Anna, Ben and JT weave a tale that grew from the stories of the elders of Haddenham. The quartet will take you on an exciting journey of wonder, enchantment and magic.
Q&A after the performance.
Q&A after the performance.
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"Good luck, you re the best, most enchanting storyteller I have ever come across, I just love the way you tell and enchant me." Caro, 2022
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"Impulses of abandonment are punctuated with moments of reflection, all intimately entwined with Ben Park’s rhythmic score. A complex and arresting journey of discovery." Candoco
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"James Taylor is the best percussionist I have ever worked with. The creative thinking he’s got while playing is incredible." Martino Scovacricchi
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"We loved the stories. So brightly told and I was gripped from the beginning. The feedback from the visitors was really great. Jasper loved it." Turn End Trust, 2022
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'The Dreamer Awakes,' Alice Kane 1995
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS: "FIND YOUR STORY"
For actors, storytellers, movers, performers and the curious
In this introductory workshop we will enter the world of folktales, establish community and renew our connections to the earth. Together we will explore pathways into the stories of our past, creating space to re/discover the journeys and tales of our ancestors. Through music, words, and movement, we will develop techniques to build confidence, expand our creative insights and honour our lineage, inspiring stories to mark the changing times.
Workshops: Anna has been running workshops independently and in collaboration for over 15 years. She is a practising artist with a background in psychotherapy and a love of storytelling. Ben is motivated by the desire to make new discoveries and share them with audiences and workshop participants alike. JT is passionate about music’s role in wellbeing and ways of exploring this through music workshops with disadvantaged groups.
Through music, words, and movement the experienced trio will introduce you to the magic of storytelling, and techniques to build your confidence and expand your creative insights.
Through music, words, and movement the experienced trio will introduce you to the magic of storytelling, and techniques to build your confidence and expand your creative insights.
“Anna created a safe space for us and guided us gently explaining the archetypes and taking us through fun exercises that gave me a lot of insights into my inner world. I left the workshop feeling lighter, more comfortable in my own skin and a new trusting relation with my intuition. I really loved it! it was a fun relaxing insightful weekend." 2020
Storyteller: Anna Walker
Anna Walker, PhD is a storyteller, artist and writer. She works in mixed media and has been exploring trauma in her arts practice research for many years. Over the past couple of years, Anna has been incorporating performance into her arts-practice, bridging technology with traditional oral storytelling. Recent performances, exhibitions, presentations include: 'Tales from the Trees', Turn End Trust, July 2022; ‘Becoming Bird, I:Spring’ (2022); ‘We Are The Granddaughters of Those Who Didn’t Burn’ (2021-2022); ‘Indra’s Horse’ a tale from the Mahabharata (2021) in collaboration with Ojapali performer: Nayanjyoti Nath for @folklog + @brtitishcouncil; ‘Red is the Colour of Pomegranates’: 4 videos, (1.9.20 - 31.12.20). Performance ‘Macha’s Body in Pain’, 2020.
anna-walker-research.com |
Composer and Muscician: Ben Park
Ben Park has an extensive track record as a composer, producer, collaborator, director, performer and educator. He has written and performed for film, television and theatre, notably: 70 Hill Lane with Improbable Theatre, and triple BAFTA winning, and Oscar Nominated S4C production: The Canterbury Tales. He was associate artist at the Royal Opera House with long time collaborator, choreographer/director Fin Walker, and composed the sound track for the British comedy Film, Downhill. Recently, he completed a cello suite for orchestra, a reinvention of the works of Ignatius Sancho, and an animated stage tale 'Our Father' with libretto by Ian McMillan. Ben is currently collaborating with Fin Walker, on a new Macbeth. https://parkmusic.me/
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Percussionist: JT
‘JT’ has a natural love for drums and percussion and enjoys sharing this with others. He has been teaching for almost as long as he has been playing.
He learned his trade as a classical musician and has played for prestigious ensembles such as the Halle and National Youth Orchestras at venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House. JT is a session player for bands across various genres, with recent appearances at Glastonbury, the Barbican and in European Tours. He is also highly passionate about music’s role in wellbeing and is currently exploring this through music workshops with disadvantaged groups in London. https://www.jt-drums.com/ |
Director: Michael Harvey
Michael has told stories both as a solo performer and with other artists throughout the UK and Europe as well festivals in North and South America. Most of his work is in either English or Welsh and occasionally both at the same time! He is a familiar performer in the UK festival and club scene and draws particular inspiration from the Welsh oral heritage and landscape. He combines depth of material with lightness of delivery which is timed and paced to perfection and minted fresh for every audience.
He has devised and toured collaborative work with Adverser Cambe, was awarded a Major Creative Wales Award, took part in the the 3rd Labo at La Maison du Conte in Paris and was a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. A new collaborative show based on the Lady of the Lake legend will be on tour soon. www.michaelharvey.org |
