1st September 2011

DORCHESTER: The final chapter of Combined Arts Week

By Anita Harries

Combined Arts Week at Dorchester Arts Centre combines singing, dancing, drama and comedy in a production that is put together in just one week, resulting in two full-length performances.

The directors have a draft script at the beginning of the week, but this has to be adapted to the number of participants, their age, experience and the subsequent roles they can fill.

As part of their remit, the cast have to learn their lines, all the company songs, and pick up more than one dance routine ready for performances on the Friday and Saturday.

Although many of the participants in Combined Arts Week are members of the Dorchester Youth Theatre, others are from outside the area, and many return year after year to take part, often booking their holidays around it. With an age range from 10 - 18, the youngsters are given the opportunity to develop performance skills, as well as building confidence and working as part of a team.

Many former participants return to help behind the scenes, retaining their enthusiasm and eager to give something back. The majority of those involved in the production team voluntarily give of their time. This year, Combined Arts Week was led by professional theatre directors and musicians Peter Thorogood and Julian Barnicoat, whilst the artistic team involved youth theatre leaders from Dorchester Youth Theatre, professional actress and Dorchester Youth Theatre director Jo Simons and local actor Tom Prior, who recently secured a place at RADA.

The Final Chapter, this year’s production which took place courtesy of the Thomas Hardye School, involved 32 young people, and was based around the Ancient Egyptians’ Book of Knowledge.

Cleverly scripted and brilliantly portrayed by the young actors, the search for the Immortal One ended up on Brighton seafront during the 1960s, and threw everything at the audience - sandstorms, rampant mummies, cockroach racing, and breaking into museums in the dead of night.

Modern song and dance wove its way throughout the play, even finding a place in ancient Egypt.

The enthusiam of those who took part was more than evident, with a hint of professionalism that belied only a week of rehearsals. This was a superb effort put together in such a short time and was a fitting tribute to the hard work of the participants and those behind the scenes.

Dorchester Youth Theatre meets on Tuesday evenings during term time at Dorchester Arts Centre. The age range is from 6 – 18, working in three separate groups. For more information contact Dorchester Arts Centre on 01305 266926.

PICTURE 1: Tut the 3rd (Robin Hollis) and his Queen Neffertutu (Poppy Hymas)

PICTURE 2: Ancient and modern meet on stage

PICTURE 3: The arrival of the cockroaches