As part of Theatre Royal’s ongoing mission to make theatre accessible to everyone, Theatre Royal’s Bloom Festival (8-17 April) gives opportunities to all of the West Suffolk community to engage with theatre through two Youth Theatre productions and a variety of free workshops and activities for adults and young people hosted by skilled theatre professionals.
Whether you’re an aspiring actor seeking guidance, a curious novice hoping to dabble in the arts, or even a seasoned theatre veteran looking to expand your repertoire or pick up new tips and tricks, Bloom Festival has something for everyone this Spring. The festival’s inclusive ethos ensures that no one is excluded based on their experience level or monetary constraints and everyone, whatever age or background is welcome to take part. Bloom Festival is a true celebration of the power of the arts drawn from Theatre Royal’s skilled Creative Learning team and a wealth of industry experts.
Owen Introduction to Directing Photo Credit Tony Kelly
Performances:
Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre groups will perform a double bill of: Ginger Jones and The Sultan’s Eye performed by the 8-11 groups and Wellington 24 performed by the 12-16 groups, from the 8-12 April. Tickets for the shows start at £5 and are part of the theatre’s pay-what-you can scheme.
- Ginger Jones and The Sultan’s Eye by Nick Lane.
Performed by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds 8-11s group. A rip-roaring children’s adventure. It’s Indiana Jones meets Alice in Wonderland. . . with added silliness. Ginger Jones is a girl with a vivid imagination. Her stories are as wild as the hair on her head. So when her school enters a storytelling competition, there is no doubt as to whom they should turn for inspiration. . . except that Ginger Jones has lost her imagination! Join her best friend Stan West as he describes the extreme tale of their adventures during the summer holidays. Featuring talking camels, sultans and a possible ruby or two.
- Wellington 24 by Rachel Harper in association with Nick Hern Books.
Performed by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds 12-16s group. An upbeat and empowering wartime tale about teamwork, collaboration and beating the odds. It’s 1943, World War II rages on, and the men are gone. It’s left to the ‘women in the workmen’s boots’ to pick up the pieces in the factory. They’re being relied upon to build the planes that could win the war, and they take the responsibility seriously. On this particular day, they’re attempting to build a Wellington bomber in record-breaking time: under twenty-four hours. As temperatures rise and prejudices bubble up, will they be able to pull together in time?
Workshops:
Bloom Festival boasts a series of free workshops for adults and young people designed to ignite creativity, foster artistic growth, and encourage personal development. This year’s workshops offer an exciting range of disciplines including playwriting, Special Effects make-up, directing, songwriting, and loads more. Attendees will learn from seasoned professionals, exchange ideas with fellow theatre enthusiasts, and unleash their hidden talents in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
- Introduction to Puppetry with Grethe Mangala Jensen, 8th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/introduction-to-puppetry/
- SENsory Creative Play, 8th April. 6-12: https://theatreroyal.org/events/sensory-creative-play-6-12/ 13-18 https://theatreroyal.org/events/sensory-creative-play-13-18/
- Family Theatre Tour, 9th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/family-theatre-tour/
- Arts and Crafts with Art Branches, 10th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/arts-crafts/
- Improv for Adults with Harry Kershaw (The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong), 10th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/improv-masterclass-for-adults/
- Stage and Film Makeup Masterclass with Lorna Garside, 11th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/stage-film-makeup-masterclass/
- Directing Masterclass with Adults with Owen Calvert-Lyons, 14th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/directing-masterclass-for-adults/
- Improv Masterclass for Young People with Harry Kershaw (The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong), 14th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/improv-masterclass-for-young-people/
- Morning Storytime with Lynn Whitehead, 15th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/morning-storytime/
- Playwriting Masterclass for Adults with Eilish Mullane, 15th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/playwriting-masterclass-for-adults/
- Playwriting Masterclass for Young People with Eilish Mullane, 16th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/playwriting-masterclass-for-young-people/
- Dance Masterclass for Young People with Grace Harris, 16th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/dance-masterclass-for-young-people/
- Family Choir Workshop with Tom Appleton, 17th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/family-singing-workshop/
- Songwriting Masterclass with Kitty Morgan, 17th April: https://theatreroyal.org/events/songwriting-masterclass/
Theatre Royal welcomes all members of the community to join in this extraordinary celebration of performing arts. Mark your calendars for 8th April – 17th April and prepare to immerse yourself in a world of imagination, expression, and endless possibilities!
Bloom is supported by Arts Council England, Ridley Godfrey Foundation, West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Gee Wizz Charity.
To find out more visit the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Website
SUFFOLK THEATRE 