Summer School

It's been tricky trying to keep the blog updated in the last few days of the Summer School. How to fit in blogging time, never mind time to download or upload pictures, in the midst of so much activity!! The absence of an internet connection other than a slightly slow one through my phone hasn't helped much either......

Anyway, I'll get some more pictures up as soon as possible but I'm off to London with the Palestinian group on Monday afternoon. We'll celebrate Elena's 18th birthday that day and we'll then be sightseeing in London on Tuesday. They're off home on Wednesday but won't reach Beit Jala until Thursday. Hopefully they'll be able to check in Amman if Hani's luggage is still there as it never arrived here.

A little encouragement that I'm not just writing all this for myself would be great. Just add a few (publishable!) comments to this post to let me know there's someone out there...........

Thanks to all of you who were there for helping to make it yet another fantastic week in the life of Riding Lights.

Also, don't forget the Facebook group for those who were at the Summer School.

Summer School - Days Four and Five

Tuesday and Wednesday were busy working days at the Summer School with the shows that each course is presenting starting to come together. For those working on existing scripts it is the slog of getting through all the blocking and starting to give the play some shape and character. For those on devised courses its time to start making some decisions and some late nights for those staff who have to write scripts coming from the improvised work of the day. These shows also need to be cast and rehearsed so as we move to Thursday the pressure is starting to show a bit.

Thankfully the rather noisy and messy work cutting and digging up a bit of school playground right in the middle of our working areas has been postponed until we've gone. A huge relief!

On Tuesday evening the participants had an opportunity to take part in workshops on a variety of different skills -clowning, singing, dancing, acting etc.. Wednesday night saw our 'Exclusive Members' Event' - an chance for those of us who work for Riding Lights to say thank you to all those who are here who give to the company throughout the year by donating money to our work. Our Palestinian guests were made honorary members for the night but quite what they made of us holding a slightly madcap Christmas party we're not sure!! Party games, carols around the piano, a festive sketch and even a Christmas message from the Queen! Photos from this event soon!

Last night, at a midweek service presented by the Expressway group, Elena Shaer said a few words on behalf of the group visiting the Summer School from Palestine and we also enjoyed a Palestinian dance which Elena and Sari had taught to others who joined them on stage. There was also a much enjoyed improptu game of football yesterday afternoon.

Summer School 08 Group Photos

photos by Andrew Dyer

Summer School - Day Two

After a Communion Service in the morning focusing on the Sermon on the Mount, the week's work began in earnest in the afternoon. Our young guests from Palestine are all on the Giant Leaps course which is being led by Clyde Bain, Suzi Fowler and Leanne Sedin. Together the group will devise a performance using movement and voice techniques which will be performed on Friday morning. In the evening there was a storytelling performance by The Golden Horde called Silk Road Stories.

Summer School - Day One

Riding Lights Summer School 2008 began yesterday afternoon. After an introductory session for all the courses there was a 'welcome' meeting for staff and participants and a performance by Riding Lights Roughshod of extracts from their show Hope Street.

Friday

Friday was another long day of sightseeing. This time to Castle Howard, Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. Jen and Sally accompanied them again and they also met up with Ian and Nina Carter-Brown, long-time Riding Lights supporters and friends who kindly treated our guests to fish and chips.

First Day in York - the afternoon

A walk round a rather wet York this afternoon and a visit to the Castle Museum which York Castle Museum is one of Britain's leading museums of everyday life. It shows how people used to live by displaying thousands of household objects and by recreating rooms, shops, streets - and even prison cells.

A ride on a carousel outside the museum was great fun but the group are now slumped in the theatre foyer, a little tired after an exhausting journey to the UK and a busy first day.