Welcome to Community Drama

E-mail me

Please be prepared to confirm your e-mail is not span when asked automatically or you message may not get to me.

 Mixed Media

                                            (Dance Drama Art Music) or the                                       

    Amazing Adventures of Algernon Farquart Livingston Smith

I have often worked with community artists from different disciplines as I believe it to be of great creative benefit to all involved. In the summer of 2002 I ran the fifth summer school for Open Stage - Learning Disability drama group. Four artists collaborated on this amazing adventure.

Chris Grocutt - community musician, Tim Jarvis- community artist, Laura Simmons -  community dance worker, and myself Clive Holmwood -community drama worker; all worked with the group on Algernon's amazing adventure which produced original drama, dance, music and visual art in a dungeons and dragons style adventure!   

Above Open Stage members dance their way through Algernon's adventures.

We used a unique interactive style to create and develop the story of Algernon the intrepid Victorian adventurer -lost in the deepest jungle. His only hope of escape was  through the help of the group members. He sent a series of parchment letters to the group asking for their help. His letters were delivered by the caretaker and had a audio delivery too. 

 His letters asked the group to help him to escape from the deepest jungle where he faced great peril. Throughout the two days the group    had to:

Create maps of the jungle

Make weapons, tools props and other equipment to take on the jungle journey.

Learn dances to communicate with the native peoples of the jungle.

Prepare & train themselves to go on an incredible adventure!

The two days were amazing group members had a wonderful time and the structure allowed all to add things to the adventure as they were able. The final improvised adventure lasted almost an hour! 

Above a picture of Algernon in earlier days

                 Artist Tim Jarvis.

'My dearest friends I request of you to partake in the grandest adventure!'

Algernon Farquart Livingston Smith (aged 86)