Fridays show is not seated and so a programme seems inappropriate however it is nice to know, to credit and to thank, so there will be one on display and one here!
Ladders and Footprints
Performers
Brian Ackland
Toby Bridge
Lauren Bryant
Tina Butler
Eddie Callis
Colin Curbishley
Ben Dunstan
Katherine Giddings
Kerry Jackson
Peter Kirby
Jonathan Knowles
Jo Lumber
Pep Mogas
Debbie O’Nyons
Debbie O’Nyons
Anna Penhaligon
Demelza Rouncefield
Elaine Stammers
Molly Smith
Star
Joseph Wheeler
Katie Wheeler
Zo Wheeler
Sam While
Marjorie Wilton
Zoe Wilton
We wish Trevor Hill a speedy recovery.
Not with us today are: Lydia Smith, Kerry Tomlinson and Delpha Hudson
Shallal’s improvising musician - George Bradley Peer
Technical support by Jacob Wheeler
New Music
Passmore’s New Hat by Roger Pinsent
Climbing the Ladder by Eddie and Jacqui Callis
You Make Me written and performed by Skye Mackay accompanied by Zian and Jem Mackay
Poems and spoken word by Elaine Stammers, Toby Bridge, Debbie O’Nyons, Jo Lumber and Star
Music credits
Unknown found by Terri Stevens
Apiskidu & The rigged ship played by Delpha Hudson
Tilted by Christine and the Queens
Bethana Concert waltz by Scott Joplin
Distant Past by Everything Everything
Distant Past by Everything Everything
Backstage and support - Nigel Pooley, Annis Popovski- Smith, Anna Willis
Doorways project co-ordinator - Victoria Hodgkinson
Costume - Victoria Hodgkinson and company
(with thanks to Miracle Theatre and Sean O Donohoe)
Facilitation and Artistic support, Travel and staging co-ordination and much more! - Colin Curbishley
Poster design - Michael Willis
Business manager - Matt Leach
Creative director - Jo Willis
Creative director - Jo Willis
Executive Producers - Barbara Santi and Lou Brett
ART
Painting inspired by Passmore Edwards life and philosophy
by Toby Bridge,
Banners by Tony Minion with art work by Shallal artists
Exhibition of art inspired by Passmore Edwards and his buildings in Cornwall and beyond
by Shallal artists and performers in Falmouth Art Gallery community space, which is in the foyer and on the stairs.
Many thanks to the projects visiting artists:
Patrick Mcwilliam - carving, Victoria Hodgkinson and Amanda Slade - hats, Harry Theaker - creative direction.
Thank to The Arts Council and Jane and Patrick Lowry at Back Lane West for Footprints residency November 2016, which enabled research for aspects of the show.
Back Lane West Footprints residency research
Colin Curbishley, Pep Mogas, Kerry Jackson - ladder with music by Delpha Hudson, Nigel Bispham, Jo Lumber - writing, Lou Brett - film
Thanks to:
Dean Evans who brought Passmore Edwards life and legacy back into the foreground and wrote ‘Funding the Ladder’.
St Peters Hall, Newlyn, Jacob, Glen and Aaron Wheeler, Jacqui Callis, Emily Dobson, Belinda Whiting, Steve Tanner, Barbara Santi, Lou Brett, Martha Dixon (film editing), Miracle Theatre wardrobe, staff and volunteers at Falmouth Art Gallery and Library, Trustees, Donors, our friends and families.
In grateful memory to Bee Duxbury.
Exhibition of photographs from Doorways research Godolphin Show 2016 by Belinda Whiting is at Gyllyngdune Gardens foyer for July.
Films made during the R&D give insight into behind the scenes at Shallal Dance Theatre:
‘Inclusive Dance’ by Lou Brett, Martha Dixon, Barbara Santi
‘As we get older’ by Barbara Santi
Grateful thanks to our funders and to donors, patrons and friends.
Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Garfield and Weston.
The
John Passmore Edwards Life Ladder
John Passmore Edwards was born in the village of
Blackwater, in Cornwall on 24 March 1823.
He grew up alongside three brothers. His father was a carpenter and his
mother was the daughter of a saddle maker.
Neither rich nor poor, the Passmore
Edwards were typical, hardworking Cornish folk, doing whatever work was
necessary to raise the family.
An enthusiastic reader from a young age, John read his
father’s copies of ‘The Penny’ magazine from cover to cover. He would save up his pennies and walk six
miles to Truro, to buy books from a second-hand bookshop. From childhood he wanted ‘to be useful’ and felt it
was ‘the duty of the wealthy
to help the poor.’
His first venture into journalism was as a freelance
writer for the West Briton. But with not enough work available, he took up a
position on the ‘The Sentinel’ paper in Manchester.
It took him 48 hours to travel there, by steamship and
train, and he carried his possessions in a large carpet bag, made by his
mother!
With hard work and determination, he became proprietor
of numerous newspapers and magazines including ‘The English Mechanic’ and
‘Building News’.
This formed the basis of his wealth, that he was to
later use for the benefit of the working classes.
He became a member of Parliament, as a Radical
Liberal. He was against capital
punishment and corporal punishment in schools and the military.
He campaigned for the abolition of slavery. He twice
refused a knighthood and opposed the Boer war.
At the age of 47 he married Eleanor Humphrey. They
lived in London and had a daughter named Ada, and a son, Harry.
He was teetotal for much of his life and had a period
of being vegetarian, long before it became fashionable.
He generously funded numerous buildings in Cornwall
and beyond including:
24 public libraries
17 hospitals and convalescent homes
12 homes for adults and children with epilepsy
5 schools of
art and science
4 art galleries
and museums
He died in 1911. Only weeks before his
death, with declining health, he was to say the words,
‘My work is not
yet done.’
Many thanks to Jo Lumber and Dean Evans, sources:
Funding the Ladder: The Passmore Edwards legacy by
Dean Evans
A Few Footprints John Passmore Edwards autobiography
The Cornish Doorways Project
The making of Shallal’s current show, ‘Ladders and
Footprints’, has been a collaborative process over the past year. The words ‘Passmore Edwards Free Library’ are
carved in stone above the entrance of so many of our public libraries, yet few
of us knew much about the meaning.
Shallal set about exploring the life of philanthropist John
Passmore Edwards, beginning with an informative talk from writer Dean Evans,
whose years of research went into his book, ‘Funding the Ladder; The Passmore
Edwards legacy’. We learned about the work, ethics and generosity of this
remarkable Cornish man, whom we believe must be remembered. In times before
free education and the National Health Service, he strived to make the health
and wellbeing of ordinary people better. Little known today, he was somewhat a
nineteenth century celebrity, which crowds gathering to see the opening of his
buildings and hear him speak.
So, in typical Shallal style, we celebrate his life and work
through dance, theatre, spoken word and visual artwork. ‘Ladders and Footprints’ has been created as
a site-specific show, both outside and inside Falmouth Library, which is indeed
a ‘Passmore Edwards Free Library’. We like to think that if he were alive
today, John Passmore Edwards would enjoy our somewhat abstract interpretation!
As part of the Cornish Doorways project, this has been our second
site-specific piece inspired by local history. In Spring 2016 we performed an
outdoor show, ‘Doorways’ at the National Trust property, Godolphin, at Helston.
This work drew inspiration from the remains of the building, the aristocracy
and their staff who lived and worked at the house and grounds, the connections
with the mining industry, and the link to world class racing horses. The horse racing history has been in the news
just recently, with an Arab sheik donating money to Godolphin Cross chapel, due
to the eighteenth century connection!
Both shows will be reworked and presented indoors in the
Autumn and Winter, at The Acorn Theatre in Penzance 1 December and AMATA at Falmouth
University 12 January .
by Jo Lumber
No comments:
Post a Comment