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Delighted to share Helena's end of half term blog with you!

The first term of the year always brings an air of excitement with it. Christmas shows are over, and in Black company that means it’s time to decide what our next project is going to be. This is one of my favourite times of the year because it’s a time where anything is possible! New people move into the group, new voices and opinions appear and together, you begin to find the voice of the company. In Black, we’ve been doing a lot of exploring; trying to find the next play we would perform. In Sarah’s words we were looking for ‘a classic that isn’t Shakespeare’. After weeks of workshops, trying different styles, eras and playwrights out, we decided on Brecht’s ‘Fear and Misery in the Third Reich’. The play explores the lives of people living under Hitler’s reign during the Second World War. Having an episodic style means every scene brings completely unique challenges and potential. We’ve only just started so it’s too soon to say but between you and me, I think it’ll be something special.
As well as Black company, we also have the Connections cast working on The Ceasefire Babies by Fiona Doyle. This play is split between scenes set in 1979 Ireland, during the Ballymurphy Massacre, and a modern day cast experiencing the repercussions of what the massacre caused. The play explores the relationship between war and young people. It hones in on groups of teenagers trying to live their lives in the shadow of war, and explores how that influences their journey through life. It’s intelligent, witty, and heartbreaking all at once. On the 5th and 6th of March we will be performing at CAPA college. If you’re free those evenings I urge you to come and watch. It is not a show to be missed.  I’ve had the honour of helping out during the rehearsal period ,watching this play come to life and I have to say I am wowed by the amount of talent, maturity and passion the cast have brought. In the cast there are people of all ages, all with experience levels. From the younger ones just starting their Connections journey to the old regulars, the level of commitment and bravery is equal all round and it is a joy to watch.
Regardless of what company you’re in, I hope the beginning of the year brought you nothing but inspiration and happiness! There’s so much potential for greatness and I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.
Helena x

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