Viva Brighton Issue #81 November 2019

WE TRY...
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Brighton People’s Theatre
Theatre workshop
I haven’t performed
in front of people
since I was at school
and the very thought
of it fills me with
dread. But I keep
hearing that it’s
good to do things
that scare you, so
I’ve signed up for
a workshop with
Brighton People’s Theatre.
Now I’m stood in a circle with 20 perfect
strangers, at the Brighthelm Centre. I’d say
the youngest of us is around 20 and the oldest
somewhere close to 70. We all shift a little
nervously.
Facilitators Luan and Tanushka set out the
rules of engagement: Be kind, be brave and
be yourself. This is a safe space to play. Yikes.
Holding eye contact with strangers and
pretending to be chewing gum are outside
of my normal comfort zone but we’re all in it
together and the fun soon outweighs the fear.
We play Grandma’s Footsteps, pass imaginary
objects and cackle like witches. We weave
around the room, responding to unspoken
cues, sometimes moving in unison, sometimes
not, falling into line, gathering together and
splitting apart, moving in silent co-operation.
I’m aware this all sounds pretty peculiar, but I
recommend that you experience it for yourself.
“We’re moving like starlings” someone
observes, reminded of the seafront
murmurations. I know what they mean. I think
of my awkward morning ritual on the busy
station concourse, eyes down, jostling and
sidestepping the crowds. Watching this group,
I’m struck by how beautiful the random flow
of movement looks and how quickly it seems
to tell a story. This
group of strangers is
starting to look like an
ensemble.
The workshops are part
of a new programme
for Brighton People’s
Theatre: the brainchild
of Naomi Alexander
who started BPT in
2015 with the intention
of creating an inclusive and representative
theatre company for the city. The programme
– which includes play reading and writing
sessions and a show-going theatre club – is
open to anyone aged 18+ living in the BN
postcode area who’s not a professional artist.
And with a ‘pay as you can afford’ price scale
and assistance with travel expenses on offer, it’s
accessible to anyone with an interest in theatre.
For the final exercise of the evening, we break
into smaller groups and share stories from
our lives. Then, together, we tell one of the
stories to the wider group, taking it in turns
to speak in the first person with the intention
of carrying it off as our own. We’re not telling
my story, so I find I’m far less nervous than
I expected to be. In fact, I’m really enjoying
telling someone else’s tale, feeling that I need
to do it justice, to recall the detail and add
nuance to make it more believable. There’s an
exhilarating freedom in being someone else
for a while but it also feels a little deceitful –
trying really hard to pass for someone I’ve only
just met. Then I realise that’s the whole point.
Doing my best to be convincing is part of the
gig. I’m acting. And it’s really good fun.
Lizzie Lower
Visit brightonpeoplestheatre.org for the full
programme of events.
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