Final draft. Descriptive peice

As the sun sets on a normal Saturday afternoon I sit outside the caravan at the very top of my favourite hill, alone with my thoughts. I like this time of day most, it’s very peaceful and the sun is warm on my face, the wind brushes my hair pleasantly.

I can see most of our tiny town from my here; it seems everyone has come out to watch my father play cards at a table with a young stranger. It looks as though he has brought his troop with him. Two troops are surrounding this little table. My father’s gypsy troop on one side and the handsome strangers on the other. Everyone seems very sombre. Father, King of the Gypsy’s looks up at me, he holds my gaze for no more than a second before looking back down at the table. I can see he feels ashamed about something? It all seems very rude not to call me down to be introduced. The stranger looks up at me for what seems a lifetime.

As whispers of the name Max fills the air I breathe I feel suffocated not knowing who this man is playing what appears to be the last game of poker my father will ever play. I’m trying to fight the temptation to run down and demand answers, who is this man everyone seems so cautious of? Why does my father look so worried? I run down the hill and make it near the table, something stops me going all the way and I turn to the gaze of the Phui-Dae, father’s most loyal group of friends. My questions painted all over my face. Without words we exchanged a thousand, we cannot answer these questions for you Jenny.

Then I hear “you lose!” lose? Max has just won against my father, Max’s troop look extremely pleased and awfully smug. I approach the table and I can hear everything Max’s troop are saying. “That silly girl hasn’t a clue what her father has done. Maya would be spinning in her grave.” I look to them pleadingly and they laugh in my face. I feel sick I don’t know where this is going to take us but right now it doesn’t feel right. My father looks old and weak compared to this young man, I have never seen him look that way.I reach the table and without realizing it, night has fallen and we are all standing in darkness, the crowds are glowing by candle light. It’s turned cold now. I place my hands on my father’s back. He is sweating. Max asks for a girl as his prize for winning the game. Me and my father exchange looks, Max’s eyes meet mine and I feel butterflies racing not only in my belly but through my veins. He wants me. He points and says “just your girl will do me fine” objection forced from my father makes him stand tall and he towers in front of me. Max edges closer and whispers.“I gave you time to pay your debt, for thirty years I cried your name I will not give you one more hour I cannot save you from your shame” and then I understand they know each other, but how? From thirty years ago. My heart is asking my brain the questions and I seem to be getting them right.

Before I can speak to myself any more I hear “ you left her sir to weep alone, you left her sir to face the knife” gasps from every angle of hearing, it seems time has stood still. Father tries to explain he loved this woman and with that Max glances at me and then leaves in a rage. Leaving me alone with my father sitting at a table. It’s just us now, all is still and people are leaving. I cannot control myself, question after question is being fired at him, “who is he? What happened thirty years ago? Who died? Who do you love? You never told me you loved anyone.” I’m not even giving him a chance to answer. I’m shaking his arm but he seems so heavy. I beg for answers. “Leave me be jenny”. I carry on. “Answer my questions, don’t shut me out, let me help” he ignores me and turns his head away. “I just want to help” and with that he roars at me “GO!” and suddenly I realize it’s not that the night that has brought darkness.

academic peice draft 1

Does Auditioning Children boost or crush confidence?

It’s a theory that people tend to be involved in the performing arts world more so when they are younger and have nudging parents behind them edging them to do well in something that is such a booming industry for children.

Does this gentle nudge crush confidence or plant the seeds for what could be a promising career?
“Many actors' careers are short-lived, and this is also true of child actors. Peter Ostrum , for example, is now a successful large-animal veterinarian after a starring role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”.[1]
On the other hand Daniel Radcliff who played Harry Potter thinks that British Child Stars are more grounded than American Child actors because of the way they are treated. Because the people around me that I love are great, normal and down to earth, they never let me get above myself. The difference between England and America is that in America if you start acting from a youngage you're treated as a star first and then a child second. And inEngland you're treated very much as a child first and an actor second,which I think is the way it should be. And that is why I think there isa difference between kids who act in England and act in America.” [2]

A prime example of a child star being worked and auditioned too much by his parents is the late Michael Jackson. He claims not to not have had a childhood, was this the reason for his “weird” behavior as an adult? Kay pierre expresses his views in the American magazine People. Michael Jackson’s story about his childhood is a perfect example of why children dont grow up healthy if you dont aloow then to be a kid. Michael Jackson mentioned on the News that hes like Peter Pan.He believes that he's a kid that never grows up and he never wamyed to leave his childhood because hes not done with it yet.[3]

That is an extreme case of what damage can be done if childhood is not allowed, which potentially can damage the next generation of entertainers.

Some people also criticize the parents of child actors for allowing their children to work, believing that more “normal” activities should be the staple during the childhood years. Others observe that competition is present in all areas of a child’s life from sports to orchestra and believe that the work ethic instilled, or the talent developed accrues to the child’s benefit. [4] Stemming from this what other options are there? We get adults to play children like the current West End production Blood Brothers, this may look pleasing to the eye on stage with its comical feel but will it work for television? “I'm not convince that an adult can satisfactorily replace a good child performance. Whatever the strengths of the grownup, the physical vulnerability of a child on a stage full of adult bodies is impossible to recreate, and can be hugely powerful” [5]

‘We live in an age now where 25 millions people do not tune in to watch the generation game (Hence it is not aired anymore) but where reality television is watched by millions every Saturday night. On channel 4, 7 out of 10 most viewed programmes of the decade where reality television’ [6] In 2008 the BBC launched “I’d Do Anything” an open talent search across the country on the prowl for children, searching for the next Oliver Twist. Is this the next step for parents who have dreams for their child performers? Is reality television also the quickest and easiest step into the business not only now for adults but children too? Are we giving parents a new angle to exploit their children?

These open audition shows are pulling in millions of audience members and with these shows being shown on prime time television, children make up a large chunk of viewers. We now accept as a society that it is ok to laugh at those making “fools” of themselves at these auditions for our viewer entertainment. Imagine you are an11 year old who likes to sing but not sure if you are good enough for a West End production, your parents tell you to go for it. But the chance of being shown on television as “rubbish” is maybe a risk to great.

The world of performing arts can only develop and benefit from fresh raw talent, and in majority of cases it Is children. As long as children are not exploited and are free to make their own decisions alongside the help of their guardians and parents. Children should be able to explore performing arts if they so wish to. It some ways it can be seen as a hobby just like Karate or playing an instrument which can then later on develop into a career

[1] Effects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_actor. [Accessed 3rd January 2010]

[2] I’m Not Obsessed. May 15th 2009
http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2009/05/15/Daniel Radcliff says its better to be a British child actor. [Accessed 3rd January 2010]

[3] People Magazine. Written by Pierre Kay
http://socyberty.com/people/michael-jackson-and-a-painful-childhood/

[4] Wikipedia. Competitive pressure http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_actor [Accessed 3rd January 2010]

[5] Think Children should be played by Adult actors? Must be kidding. Tuesday 17th March 2009. posted by Peter Kirwan.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2009/mar/17/children-adult-actors [Accessed 3rd January 2010)

[6] BBC news, 2009. Entertainment review of the decade.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8424597.stm [Accessed: 3rd of January 2010]

marketing peice draft 3

"You lose!... but sir I cannot pay you… "

But who lost that game of poker that will determine Hals fate? What will Max make him pay with? His beloved and only daughter Jenny? This spring if you wish to see theatre truly come alive then see Chickens Sheds original story of “The Attraction” running from Wednesday 18th of March to Saturday 4th of April.

Based in the heart of a booming Gypsy community it will take you on a journey full of love, sorrow and retribution. Showing at the Chicken Shed theatre in north London, Southgate. This is the second time The Attraction has been brought back to audiences since 1990 due to public demand. A fantastic opportunity for you, you’re family and friends to be entertained whilst educated on the culture and magic from some of the early groups of gypsy’s.Our journey begins with Maya a young woman seeking acceptance in a gypsy group with her young son Max, as she makes a new life for herself and sets up a beautiful home for her son, all is grand as she soon falls in love with the king of the gypsy’s, Hal. They are to married! But all blissful happiness is soon disrupted as tragedy sets in with revenge tailing not far behind. The existence of the gypsy community will hang in the balance if Hal and Max cannot agree to leave the past behind them.

This is a show rich in colour and excitement with legend and culture oozing from every corner you look in; and with a cast of over a 150 there is never a moment to miss! Chicken Shed is proud to present The Attraction to celebrate the work of its inclusive theatre for the past 35 years. We guarantee to win over your heart with our story of loss and love with our visually stunning cast and heart racing music. The Attraction has been sponsored by one of the biggest high street names of fashion, River Island. So every costume looks authentically stunning as no stops have been made in the attention to detail. Chicken Shed have indeed captivated audiences on a new level as they have put you right in the heart of the action with the performance happening all around you.Celebrate with us this wonderful collaboration of cultures as you tuck into a traditional ploughman’s meal for only £6 per person whilst enjoying the show. A truly beautiful story that is worth anybody’s time who is seeking magic that they can take home with them. A show suitable for all the family.

Daily showings at 7.30pmSaturdays at 3.30pmThursdays at 1pm

Call Chicken Shed box office on 020 8292 9222 to reserve and buy your tickets for this year’s must see musical The Attraction.

Tickets: £14 (£9 conc.)

schools matinees: £8

Sign interoperated performancesThursday 26th March, 7.30pm & Thursday 2nd April, Captioned Performances: Thursday 2nd April 1.00pm & Friday 3rd April 7.30pm.

Touch tours available please contact Box office to pre book.

Www.chickenshed.org.uk

email: bookings@chickenshed.org.uk

(This show has been performed from Wednesday 18th of March to Saturday 4th April 2009)

descriptive style draft 2

As the sun sets on a normal Saturday afternoon I sit outside the caravan at the very top of my favorite hill, alone with my thoughts. I like this time of day most, it’s very peaceful and the sun is warm on my face, the wind brushes my hair pleasantly.

I can see most of the our tiny town from my here; it seems everyone has come out to watch my father play cards at a table with a young stranger. It looks as though he has brought his troop with him. Two troops are surrounding this little table. My father’s gypsy troop on one side and the handsome strangers on the other. I watch for a while, everyone seems very somber. Father, King of the Gypsy’s looks up at me, he holds my gaze for no more than a second before looking back down at the table. I can see he feels ashamed about something? It all seems very rude not to call me down to be introduced. This draws the attention of the stranger. He looks at me for what seems a lifetime.

As whispers of the name Max fills the air I breathe I feel suffocated not knowing who this man is playing what appears to be the last game of poker my father will ever play. I’m trying to fight the temptation to run down and demand answers, who is this man everyone seems so cautious of? Why does my father look so worried? So I do, I run down the hill and make it near the table, something stops me going all the way and I turn to the gaze of the Phui-Dae, father’s most loyal group of friends. My questions painted all over my face. Without words we exchanged a thousand, we cannot answer these questions for you Jenny.

Then I hear “you lose!” lose? Max has just won against my father, Max’s troop look extremely pleased and awfully smug. I approach the table and I can hear everything Max’s troop are saying. “That silly girl hasn’t a clue what her father has done. Bow down and let the true king come home. Maya would be spinning in her grave.” I look to them with a pleading gesture and they laugh in my face. I feel sick I don’t know where this is going to take us but right now it doesn’t feel right. My father looks old and weak compared to this young man, I have never seen him look that way. I soon realize there’s more to this than meets the eye.
I reach the table and without realizing it, night has fallen and we are all standing in darkness, the crowds are glowing by candle light. It’s starting to turn cold now. I place my hands on my father’s back. He is sweating. Max asks for a girl as his prize for winning the game. Me and my father exchange looks, Max’s eyes meet mine and I feel butterflies racing not only in my belly but through my veins. He wants me. He points and says “just your girl will do me fine” objection forced from my father makes him stand tall and he towers in front of me. Max edges closer and whispers..“I gave you time to pay your debt, for thirty years I cried your name I will not give you one more hour I cannot save you from your shame” and then I understand they know each other, but how? From thirty years ago. My heart is asking my brain the questions and I seem to be getting them right.

Before I can speak to myself any more I hear “ you left her sir to weep alone, you left her sir to face the knife” gasps from every angle of hearing, it seems time has stood still. Father tries to explain he loved this woman and with that Max glances at me and then leaves in a rage. Leaving me alone with my father sitting at a table. It is just us now, all is still and people are leaving. I cannot control myself, question after question is being fired at him, “who is he? What happened thirty years ago? Who died? Who do you love? You never told me you loved anyone.” I’m not even giving him a chance to answer. I’m shaking his arm but he seems so heavy. I beg for answers. “Leave me be jenny” I will not. “Answer my questions, I love you don’t shut me out, let me help” he ignores me and turns his head away. “I just want to help” and with that he roars at me “GO!” and suddenly I realize it’s not that the night that has brought darkness.