Local Heroes at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

Review for Silver Arts Award

I went to see a live show at Hartlepool Town Hall theatre called Local Heroes. The Reason I went to see Local Heroes is because it was hosted and developed by young people.

The play was about the Bombardment of Hartlepool. The bombardment of Hartlepool was a tragic moment in Hartlepool’s history. On the 16th of December 1914, the German Navy bombed the town on a misty morning as children were getting up for school and adults getting up for work.

The play was split into two acts. On set in a local cafe in Hartlepool just before the bombs hit, the second was set in the trenches to show how the soldiers felt and what the war was like.

I quite enjoyed the play “Local Heroes” because it made me think about how the soldiers may have felt during war. I felt like I understood how they felt thanks to the characters and the storylines. I also liked the costumes; they seemed so realistic and interesting.

The whole play was scripted and acted by young people which was very impressive given how serious a subject war is.

I would recommend the play to anyone because it was good and for anyone in school who is studying history as it’s a good way to learn about the war.

By Lizzie 

Arts Award Part B Discussion

Young people who’ve been taking part in The Exchanging Notes music project went to The Sage Gateshead to see an Afro Beat band called Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80.

The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the young musicians and group discussions after the visit were full of positive and interesting comments.

“The atmosphere was very loud and full of excitement and energy. I liked seeing the live band because it was very full on.”

 “I would recommend it to others because they enjoyed themselves and stuck to the African tradition in a unique way.”

When I asked what people thought about The Sage Gateshead they said it was amazing, class, impressive and beautiful.

The young people described the performance as fun, energetic and vibrant they said “they were enthusiastic and it kept you interested. It was a great performance with lots of skill.” They also said “It was political, talking about racism, there were reasons behind all the songs.”

I asked the young musicians what the band was like and they told me;

“The band had a jazzy side to it because there were saxophones and instruments like that. They also had traditional African instruments.”

“All of the musicians had an equal part to play to create the sound. You could tell that they thought this was important because they introduced each of the band members at the start of the performance.”

What the young people liked best;

“I liked the dancers because they had really interesting costumes, jewellery and face paint. They were celebrating the fact that they were African.”

“The music because you could hear each musician; it was well balanced.”

“I liked how they had a reason for each song they made.”

“I liked the percussionists; it was a really synchronised performance.”

“I liked how they were all enjoying themselves and dancing about.”

Community Musician Liz Corney has been leading workshops with the young people joined in the discussion, she said “They sounded like they really enjoyed it; a completely different musical experience to what they usually have.”

Exchanging Notes aims to broaden young people’s horizons; the visit has certainly achieved this.

Tim Coyte Exchanging Notes Project Co-ordinator

Inspire by Michelle Castles @Hartlepool Art Gallery

Theatre review- Gatecrash- Hartlepool Town Hall

Review of Gatecrash at Hartlepool Town Hall

The event we went to was Gatecrash at Hartlepool Town Hall.

Gatecrash was a surprise party for Sam that didn’t exactly work out.

I had expected to watch a play but instead I was actually involved in the set. This was not what I expected due to Gatecrash being at the theatre. We were given a set of headphones to listen to the main characters conversations as well as listening to the party music. This kept you updated with what was happening in the set.

Gatecrash had 5 main characters. These were, Jazz (Melissa Grace), Imogen (Lydia Lakemoore), Jonno (Luke Vernon), Sam (Alex Harvey Sporle) and Rachael (Amy Forde).  All of the actors were really good and very convincining.

Jazz is Sam’s sister who organised the surprise party. Jazz really likes Jonno. Imogen has feelings for Jonno. Jonno is a big headed guy who liked to cheat and flirt with girls. Sam is the birthday boy whose birthday was ruined by what happened at the party.

Overall, I think that Gatecrash was a very enjoyable event that portrayed really well what would happen at a party if the wrong people were invited.

I would rate this performance as 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to everyone.

Jess

Review of Gatecrash at Hartlepool Town Hall

Gatecrash

20^th October 2014 at Hartlepool Town Hall

Me and my friends attended an interactive theatre performance by Zest Theatre.

It was based around a boy’s house party, and the consequences that come with teenagers and alcohol are not good.

I went to the event not really knowing what was going to happen- I thought I was going to the theatre and sitting down to watch a show, but I was very wrong!

The production was fully interactive, the characters and actors involved you fully, it was a good time!

-Aimee

Town Hall Theatre -Gatecrash review

Review of Gatecrash @ Hartlepool Town Hall

Review of Gatecrash @ Hartlepool Town Hall

We went to a theatre and thought we were going to watch a play. We were led through a door and spoke to a member of the crew and then we were handed a pair of wireless headphones.

This was my introduction to GATECRASH.

It was an interactive play. As soon as we entered the house we were part of the story.

The headphones were used to listen to different characters and follow their different conversations around the room.

The character I listened to was Sam, who was the main character and whose birthday we were supposed to be celebrating, however, Sam wasn’t happy!

I tried to listen more around Sam but I kept getting distracted by a loud, flirty and apparently drunk character called Jonno.

His idea of being at a party had been chatting up as many girls as possible. He was quite aggressive and full-on!

I thought I was going to be quiet and not take part but it didn’t turn out that way and everyone was involved in some way,

I was busy switching between conversations...Jonno with different female characters or Sam and Jazz having brother and sister arguments.

I thought it was unique, entertaining and energetic. It had more drama than an episode of Hollyoaks.

I definitely think that other people should go to take part in Sam’s house party if they get the chance.

-          By Naomi

Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre hosts Sam's house party!

Review of ‘Gatecrash’

Monday 20^th October 2014  at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

I thought I was going to see a sit down theatre production. This was not the case!!

This was a unique, creative, action-packed experience!

Created by Zest Theatre; Gatecrash is about Sam’s house party and it kicks off by inviting you as a guest. You enter the set by knocking on Sam’s door and are given headsets.

The headsets allowed you to choose which characters conversations and storylines you listened to. For example; Sam’s hamster, two-timing arguments and everything that can go wrong when alcohol is at a house party and everyone is invited.

I was thrown in at the deep end as I was encouraged to participate in party games by the actors. There were lots of twists and turns and even a game of Twister!

I t was delivered in a realistic way- this could have been a real party!

Everyone around me was enjoying it. Zest Theatre says that theatre is meant to be accessible and excitable for young people. Judging by this show- they are succeeding.

If you get the chance and the show comes locally to you, you should definitely see this!

-          Steph

Times of our Lives preview

Young people’s private viewing of “Lives of our Time” photography exhibition

Friday 5^th September saw the opening of the brand new exhibition “Lives of our Times” at Hartlepool Art Gallery.

The exhibition which features the work of three female photographers and asks the question; “what is it like to be a teenage girl?”

Karen Robinson is a London based photographer who has worked all over the world on humanitarian projects for organisations such as Amnesty International as well as commercial work for Vogue, The times among others

http://www.karenrobinson.co.uk/projects.php

Her work in this exhibition; “All Dressed up” was commissioned by Side Gallery in Newcastle in 2006 and focuses on the lives of teenage girls in former mining villages of the North East. The photographs document the daily lives and highlights issues that the young women are facing, often as a result

Harriet currently studies at Cleveland College of Arts and Design. You can read more on her blog; http://harrietautonphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

Lucinda Grange’s exhibition “Everyone” portrays deeply personal stories by young women, their problems and how they have overcame them.

http://www.lucindagrange.com/

Also exhibited was an amazing installation of photography by young women from Throston Youth Centre who worked on their project alongside Lucinda Grange. Hung by wires across the walls, photographs and snapshots narrated the three month photography project and showed their personal and photographic journeys.

Young people helped organise and gave input for the private view. The lights were dimmed the DJ played and we opened the doors to over 90 people! 16 year old Aiden Stephenson provided the soundtrack to the evening with a mix of contemporary and classic House music.

Amazing cocktail were mixed and served from Mr Browne’s Vintage style temperance bar. Queues lined up for traditional tastes like Elder and Sarsaparilla to go with the buffet of pizza and fruit bowls.

Steph’s review of the event;

“I really enjoyed the evening- viewing the work in the exhibition, while eating pizza, enjoying the fabulous DJ, and trying the different varieties of cocktails. My idea is to tell schools and colleges to put any arts/cultural events on the log-on message on school computers, to persuade young teenagers to get involved with the arts and events like these.”
With special thanks to our amazing volunteers Ella, Josh and Steph!

The Ramona Flowers @ Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre welcomed the Ramona Flowers & Broken Symmetry to the town last month and what amazing bands!!

Young people from Red Dreams went along to review the gig...

 

Trench Art Project at Throston Youth Centre

Young People at Throston Youth Centre are the first to use Remembering Our War resource boxes.

Designed by Hartlepool Cultural Services, A Soldiers Life and The Home Front resource boxes provide a wealth of objects connected to the First World War inspiring curiosity and discussion for young people at Throston Youth Centre.

The group are the first to access the boxes and have been taking part in a Mail Art Project using Trench Art and local WWl heritage research, such as visiting the Heugh Gun Battery at the Headland and Beamish Museum.

Special Preview of "Lives of our Times" exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery

The Young Cultural Ambassador project is holding a special private viewing of “Lives of our Times” at Hartlepool Art Gallery for young people age 13-19

What’s it like to be a teenage girl?

“Lives of Our Times’ brings together Karen Robinson’s exhibition ‘ All Dressed Up’: The Lives of Teenage Girls in East Durham, a photography project by young women from Throston Youth Centre and local photographers Lucinda Grange and Harriett Auton. All showing a fascinating and honest portrayal of the lives of teenage girls and young women in the North East.

Music for the evening will be provided by an awesomely talented young DJ and food and drink is free and come in the shape of a temperance bar and pizzas!

The private view is open to young people 13-19 so RSVP to yca@hartlepool.gov.uk to make sure you secure a place and we’ll see you there.x

Warships to Friendships - a joint art exhibition

Young Cultural Ambassadors event at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

The Young Cultural Ambassadors event at Hartlepool Town Hall theatre on June 16^th was a fantastic night and we hope everyone who attended enjoyed it as much as we did!

Virtual Gallery Tour of New Exhibition coming soon!



Generations:

Warships into Friendships

Works by artists Dieter Löchle & Gavin Mayhew

Saturday 12th July to Saturday 30th August 2014

This is a joint exhibition of English artist Gavin Mayhew

and German artist Dieter Löchle, as part of a wider

programme that is taking place in Hartlepool to

commemorate the First World War.

For two decades the artists have exhibited together and they

can be seen as a symbol of a special relationship that has

developed between the two countries.

Gavin and Dieter are showing separately and collectively,

both new work and past collaborations. Their new work has

been inspired by the theme of ‘Reconciliation’.



High Tunstall exhibition in Emerge@ Hartlepool Art Gallery



Detail of work on display



Check out some amazing work by students of High Tunstall at Hartlepool Art Gallery.

The exhibition will be there until the end of May so get yourself there and show some love by leaving some great comments about the work...

Face to Face @ Hartlepool Art Gallery

This beautiful painting is a self portrait by Doris Zinkeisen as one of the portraits exhibited in the Face to Face exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery.

Painter and stage designer; with her sister Anna, Doris Zinkeisen was a familiar figure on the artistic scene from the 1920s. Best known for society portraits, horse paintings and murals of regency scenes, she was also an official war artist for the St John Ambulance Brigade and her drawings of Belsen are held in the Imperial War Museum. This self-portrait was made while the artist was on a world tour, and was mostly painted in her hotel bedroom in Sydney.

Read the rest of the blog to see self portraits created at our young people’s art session.

Votes for Women in the 21^st Century

Saturday 8^th March, just like any other day in Hartlepool. Dark. Abysmal. A bit on the chilly side. And yet, the day would be entirely different to the constant pattern of modern life, all in the hands of 10 youths.
Dressed up to the nines, only in the wrong era, the teenagers ranging from ages 11 to 17 congregate to re enact a debated suffragette march in commemoration of  the efforts from World Wars 1 and 2. Being 100 years since the war, Hartlepool Borough Council had conducted leaders to host a series of meetings leading up to the event where the group would rehearse the authentic characteristics and the encouraging speeches of which were performed at the Cenotaph within the Town Centre’s Victory Square.
During the morning session, workshops were held in costume where local children could be educated of the Suffragette movement and produce flags to join in the parade. After hats were pinned securely and sashes were fastened tightly, the group of six girls set out in the gusts of wind reciting the verses from the Suffragette song of a classic Disney film, Mary Poppins. Followed by the small group of boys, also dressed authentically, the boys (some being soldiers, some being the typical man of business) would retaliate with counter arguments against women gaining the vote and the occasional hurl of verbal abuse, all staged to the satisfaction of performance.
Family members and curious locals gathered around the barriers of the performing area as spectators, showing their support and respect for the past.
After a few speeches were given by the Suffragette girls, a debate, a photo shoot and a repeat of the event, a brief summary was given by two members of the performance group when a bell rang and a minutes silence was initiated.
Then, to follow, the girls, in their great state of relief marched back to the Grand Hotel, of which they commenced at, chanting more verses and lyrics from the Mary Poppins song and, naturally, ‘Votes for Women’.

-Post by Annabelle

Seeds of Change – International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8^th March 2014 the Seeds of Change project offered an opportunity for young people to take part in a variety of creative activities at The Grand Hotel.

The Seeds of Change group hosted a special workshop based on the theme of The Suffragettes to mark International Women’s Day. The activities included making suffragette flags, sashes and Votes for Women Banners.  This was then followed by a re-enactment of a Suffragette March from The Grand Hotel to Victory Square which will be led by the Seeds of Change Young People, who then performed a short play to the public.

The event is part of a two-year project called ‘Seeds of Change’ to encourage youngsters aged 13-19 to explore the heritage of World War One.

The project has been developed by the Arts For Teens Group – young people working with Hartlepool Council’s Youth Support Service and Museums Service to develop better cultural opportunities for youngsters in the town - and is being funded by a £34,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

@ Hartlepool Art Gallery...

Our evening gallery sessions for young people at Hartlepool Art Gallery have been a massive success so far. Each exhibition we hold is accompanied by an evening session which gives a chance for young people to see the latest exhibition, snack on some pizza and get creative! What’s not to like?

Local artist Bob Watson got people’s creative juices flowing with pastels, inks and charcoal and very shortly we’ll be joined by another local artist Denise Heanes who will be exploring portraiture to link with the current Face to Face exhibition which includes some amazing work from Hartlepool’s collection as well as loans from the National Portrait Gallery.  We’ll be posting some pics from the night to show what we get up to...

The next evening session is with artist Gavin Mayhew and will be part of the programme for his exhibition in collaboration with German artist Dieter Löchle titled “Elements”

Watch this video to get an idea of what’s in store at the gallery;