The latest drama and music project from BFMT. Children from Bollington whose family moves to Czechia find Christmas is very different. They must satisfy the scary Lucia Witches, write to Baby Jesus about presents instead of Santa, take part in Nativity and Three Kings Parades and keep a live carp in the bath ready for Christmas dinner.
The Taster that starts every Music Theatre project welcomes anyone aged 7-13. The story is explained, the script is read through, songs tried out and drama/music activities sampled. Knowing what it involves, anyone can decide to join the cast without audition and free of charge. Parents and any audience are asked to donate on the day of the performance in order to cover the costs and any surplus is contributed to the Arts Centre which kindly supports the group.
Participants aged 7-13 are asked to attend with a parent/carer who can provide contact details. Parents can stay throughout the session or until they and their child are happy. Those who enjoy it (and most do!) can return over the following weeks.
After the Taster, Sunday afternoon rehearsals will be at the same times every week until a performance at the same time on Sunday 24 November. The performance may be public, or private for families, depending on numbers, confidence and progress. But in any case, the cast will experience being on stage with costumes, action, lighting, blackout, sound tech and live musical accompaniment. Solo speaking or singing parts are allocated as part of the rehearsal process rather than by formal audition.
The production style aims to keep the
whole cast engaged in the action as much as possible. An interesting and unique feature of this project is that some of the scenes will be mime and movement accompanied by members of Bollington Festival Choir singing extracts from an 18th century Czech Christmas Folk Mass. Other scenes will have dialogue and songs for the children based on traditional Czech folk music, mostly in English and maybe one or two in Czech.
If any cast members play musical instruments it may be possible to incorporate them, as well as providing parts for classroom percussion.
Since 1986, Bollington Festival Music Theatre has staged some unusual and original drama at its home in the Arts Centre and at every Bollington Festival. In its almost 40-year history, you won’t find versions of commercial shows, books or films, but folk tales from the UK, Europe and further afield; “human interest” stories of unusual – and true – childhoods; and imaginary happenings often set in Bollington, several involving the exploits of the remarkable “Nancy White.”
More information about BFMT is on their members page.
The images show BFMT members as Pirates in Buccaneers of the Bollin (2019), a Live Nativity Scene in Czechia in December 2023, both photos © Donald Judge, and the poster / flyer for the Taster
