Eden Ballantyne created Stories Alive as a way of getting his head full of crazy historical characters into the world. This year Rochdale Central Library celebrated with two interactive stories from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and also Romeo and Juliet. The storytelling performances left the audiences spell bound, wanting to know more about Shakespeare and his wonderful characters from his plays. Part of the day included craft workshop, enabling children to create their own heart shaped mobile.
Additionally, we commissioned M6 Theatre Company to work with three groups to look at the themes within Romeo and Juliet. They share what they had learnt and expressed their feelings about Shakespeare’s greatest love story through their own drama!
Award winning playwright Ian Townsend (Manchester Theatre Award – All The Bens; Kings Cross New Writing Award – The House in Sofia with a Map of its Surroundings; BBC Alfred Bradley Bursary Special Award – The Lonely Walk Home) hosted an informative and interactive workshop on writing for the stage. The workshop gave plenty of practical advice on getting your plays finished, sent off and read, followed by discussion on how best to get your plays seen.
The workshop culminated with professional actors reading out the newly formed scripts.
World Book Night was celebrated at Touchstones Gallery with award winning author Michael Stewart. He spoke about his latest novel CAFE ASSASSIN. It was an informative night with lots of discussion around inspiration and books.
World Book Night books were also available for distribution to non-reading friends on this notable night.