The Little Festival Of Everything
Amy Danbrowsky • Published 29 Jun 2012 12:00
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The Flanagan Collective, a 'rolling group of artists who make things and make things happen'', invites you to share their vision of a world where theatre springs up at your back door and neighbours become friends over a play at the pub. Equally, they are asking individuals to harness their creative talent, get involved and take a role in their Little Festival Of Everything at South Hill Park (SHP) from Monday to Saturday, July 2-7.
The Guide spoke to Alexander Wright, festival organiser and director of The Flanagan Collective, to get to grips with what the intriguing theatre extravaganza is all about.
Alex said: "I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Yorkshire and spent my working time in the arts community, where we would pass each other like ships in the night. It was a small and very strong community, but everyone operated in very different ways and I thought it would be interesting to see what happened if you put a lot of different people in one place.
"The arts isn't elitist, but it takes a lot of money and effort to see performances when they are so spread out. But if you remove the competitive element, the making of money, and the distance, you allow some relationships to begin and start something really exciting.
"I really like performing in places where people like to be. If you have to convince people to come to somewhere they don't want to be it feels harder. They have to get there, spend money, and only then can they start enjoying themselves.
"It's about finding a platform for anyone from anywhere to do something. You open the conversation between an award winning group and a local poet and something special is created. The only time you'd find this mix of artists is at the Edinburgh Fringe."
The Little Festival Of Everything will feature cabaret, spoken word, poetry, comedy and theatre across the arts centre's grounds, including the newly refurbished amphitheatre and the Wilde Theatre. Alexander picked the Bracknell venue to showcase the theatre fusion because: "[Chief executive] Ron, is a brilliant man. I've known him for a few years now and I've had a great relationship with the arts venue. It's not a soulless, black box, theatre where no-one cares. SHP is a wonderful building with great staff."
As well as featuring established theatre companies, they are asking local artists to share their talent with audiences between scheduled pieces. Alex explains: "A lot of doors can be closed to younger artists and so we want to get as many people together as possible to change that and create a way in."
To get involved email veronica@the flanagancollective.co.uk For tickets and full details see www.theflanagancollective.co.uk or www.southhillpark.org.uk or call 01344 484 858.
This article appeared in Slough Observer 29 Jun 12
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