Connections on a wider scale...

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I was at the St George’s AGM on Wednesday (that surprised some of you didn’t it…assuming I’d be all about connections this week) it was a glorious event.  There’s something so very special about a community coming together to celebrate the obstacles they’ve overcome over the year and celebrating their triumphs.  Our youth music singers performed at the event which was joyous in itself…ten of the group sang their signature song, “Under my Hedge” and then added in their stick song from New Zealand as a delightful extra.  Proud doesn’t come close to how I felt when I watched them. 

There was, however, another performance on the agenda.  A group of dancers with additional needs showed us what they have been working on this year and in so doing made an unforgettable impression on me.  The reason?  The final dance they did was in pairs, as oppose to the other numbers they had performed when they’d been dancing individually.  Something truly magical happened when the dancers started interacting with their partners.   In the connections they made with each other as they moved there was a tangible beauty and for a moment the only thing that mattered in their world was their waltz, the music, their dancing and the privilege of being part of it.  It had a profound impact on the audience who instinctively cheered when it was over which again had an impact on the dancers who reacted with delight to the warm response they were getting.  The ability that art has to create bridges between people in this way, a way that nothing else can, never gets old.

Which brings me to our performances this week of “Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy,” (you knew I’d get there eventually.)  The ultimate example of the power art has to connect.  We performed this difficult, hard hitting play to over 100 audience members over a three performance run and got feedback like:  “This is important, hundreds more people should see it,” and “Dark but brilliant.”  Ex YTYT members came from as far afield as Kent to see it, families who had never seen their children perform watched it.  We connected people of all generations not just with the act of watching a play and seeing the wonderful talent of the young people they knew in it but also with the issue at the centre of it.  The idea that as a result of ignorance and violence tragedy occurs and that the only end to hate is destruction was illustrated with heartbreaking clarity.  In addition 13 very talented young people made something by working together that they could never have achieved on their own and have become more knowledgeable, understanding and empathetic people in the process.  There really is nothing else like it…

Didn’t get to see it? Do not despair just be at Pontefract New College at 6.30 on Wednesday and get to see if for free! 

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