So we have reached the end of our writers’ week for this year. After a slap up pub lunch in Ludlow’s The Church Inn, the 5 writers departed their various ways to head home again, leaving the May Fair to continue its merry making for another 48 hours, before it too, would pack up and move on. It has been a fantastic week and we have had the privilege of meeting some wonderful people, who have all been generous with their time and willing to talk to us about their lives. We have been to beautiful community gardens and met volunteers, we have met market traders, writers, poets, Mayors and former Mayors, we have sipped coffee in Costa with several teenagers, and met the owner of the May Fair himself. And of course, we have been to the fair, weaved our way through the lights and the noise, made ourselves a bit sick on the rides, and on the obligatory candy floss, watched the atmosphere change from after school family outings to after dark alcohol fuelled meetings. (and obviously managed to make time to watch a bit of the Royal Wedding amidst everything else. )

And all the while I wondered how each writer will engage with each experience. It’s a funny thing setting up something like this week-we set up meetings and make schedules and plan visits, but ultimately, we have no idea what it is that will inspire an idea in someone, and that is both exciting and nerve wracking all at once. Particularly as this year, for the first time, we have Latitude in our sights.

On the final morning, we all gathered in Toad Hall (the cottage where 3 of the writers were staying) and the writers shared their early ideas. Gathered around laptops, or huddled over pieces of paper, we took it in turns to read what each writer had produced in just a few hours-a tall order from Pentabus, but a great way to air the beginnings of an idea for a story, a character, a relationship. And I have to say it was a really thrilling morning-it seemed to me like everyone had really invested in the people we had met during the week, and the things that had been said, and the stories that started to take shape were beautifully observed, funny, unsettling, tender.

And then that was that. Our final morning, but the beginning of our journey to Latitude. And what a brilliant starting point. Will be keeping you posted with further developments, and will soon be posting some blogs from the writers, along with some pictures of our week……

Press Release

Pentabus Theatre selected for the Big Arts Give 2010

Despite uncertain times with cuts to public subsidy to the arts looming large Ludlow based Pentabus Theatre has recieved recognition for its success by being selected by Arts & Business to take part in a new online fundraising initiative to stimulate individual philanthropy for culture. More than 140 organisations across the UK applied to take part in the challenge and Pentabus is one of twelve charitable arts organisations selected in the West Midlands. The Big Arts Give helps arts organisations to build and develop the income they receive via individual giving.

The Challenge for Pentabus is to raise £15,000 for a new van. Development Director John Moreton explains “our old van is 15 years old and desperately needs replacing before our next tour. Generous supporters of Pentabus Theatre have created a fund to enable us to double public donations. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for your donation to be worth twice its original value, and allow us to make twice the impact through our work in Shropshire and Herefordshire”

This good news comes at a time when Pentabus is also preparing to launch a new Pentabus Patrons scheme. Administrative Producer Thomasina Carlyle says “We welcome any support you are able to offer us but donations of £100 or over will automatically give you membership of the Pentabus Patrons scheme from now until April 2012. Benefits of our Patrons scheme include invitations to special private events and receptions where you can meet our creative teams. Our new patrons scheme will launch with a gala reception after our performance of Tales of the Country the Courtyard in Hereford on January 29th.“

These charity matching funds are limited so to donate to Pentabus go to www.theBigGive.org.uk/donate/pentabusartsltd from 10am on December 6^th to have any donation you make to Pentabus Theatre doubled.

Pentabus tours Shropshire and Herefordshire in January and February visiting Orelton, The Courtyard, Kimbolton, Wem Town Hall, Theatre Severn and Much Wenlock details can be found on www.pentabus.org.uk

ENDS (325words)

For further information contact Thomasina Carlyle on 01584 856564

E mail thom@pentabus.co.uk

Hello

Pentabus continues to be busy over these summer months, and scripts are pouring in for WE ARE HERE, our invitation to playwrights to submit plays for a slot in our 2012 season. We have set up a London PO Box for this, and every week I head up to see what has been delivered, unsure whether to bring a bag or a wheelbarrow….so far a bag has been sufficient, but I would love it if one of these days I turn up as usual and they bring out bursting mail bags for me to carry home! (wheelbarrow safely ready in preparation for this event. I am certain it will happen.)

We had a board meeting at Birmingham mac a couple of weeks ago, which was a great opportunity to check in with everyone, to review and reflect on recent projects, and to look forward to future exciting projects. I have to say, I had never heard of Birmingham mac until recently and on arrival I think I actually vocalised a little gasp to myself, as the place is amazing! Bright, airy, accessible, busy and filled with activity, it seemed to me exactly what an arts centre should feel like. Apparently it has recently been refurbished and it is obvious they have thought really hard about the redesign, as I think it is really successful as a building. I look forward to getting to know the venue a bit more, and have another opportunity to do so this week, as I will be there for a Pentabus Meet and Greet. Oh yes. As part of our commitment to new work, I am dedicating a lot of time this year to meeting with playwrights, both locally and nationally, and to see as much new work as possible, to identify those whose ideas might resonate with Pentabus and who might be interested in what we do. Catherine from SCRIPT has been incredible in getting the word out to regional writers that we are keen to meet with them. So meet them we will. I am very much looking forward to meeting what I hope will be a diverse mix of playwrights who are all doing interesting work in the region. I will report back after the event…….!

While all this is going on, I can’t help but mention what is going on in the back of all of our minds (as I’m sure it is in most regularly funded organisations across the land); the looming shadow of the spending cuts. Uncertainty is the main issue-we just don’t know what the future holds. However, what we are certain of is the value of the arts, and the value of what we do as a company. And it is incredible to see the strength of opinion when it comes to defending and fighting for the arts, in both individuals and organisations. I read articles, twitter posts, empassioned emails, blogs, facebook status updates on a daily basis, from people who are all articulating the obvious value of the arts in our economy. Surely these kinds of facts and figures cannot be ignored?!

To quote directly from the Arts Council website (link: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter/) facts like:  ’the arts budget is tiny; it costs 17p a week per person - less than half the price of a pint of milk.’

‘For every £1 that the Arts Council invests, an additional £2 is generated from private and commercial sources, totalling £3 income.’

‘The UK has the largest creative sector in the EU, and relative to GDP probably the largest in the world.’

The Arts Council has put together a really strong set of reasons why any cuts to the arts should be carefully considered, I urge anyone who is interested to click on the above link and take a look, it makes for some interesting reading. And if what you read makes you want to do something, then I reckon a letter to your local MP might just make a difference.

Meanwhile, it is business as usual. And there is plenty to be getting on with!

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter/