Anyone who has seen a Tall Tales show before will know that the young members of High Peak Community Arts had a whirlwind ready to bring to Buxton, and on 13th August we played two shows of Murderous Circus on 13th August to sold-out and almost-sold-out audiences.
More than 40 young people aged 8 – 16 joined the Summer School, working on the original story and script which has been written since the Easter holidays. Murderous Circus featured their songs, dance and drama, with pre-filmed clips and animations projected into the Big Top – assembled in the Buxton Community School 6th Form Dance Studio. Not everyone is born to be on stage, so some worked back stage, specialising in props and costumes – everything made from scratch from the beginning of August.
One audience member said “Where do you get the stories from? It’s kind of chaotic, but in a way that most theatre just isn’t. It’s brilliant!”
This year’s Tall Tales was part-funded by The People’s Projects which HPCA won in June 2023 in a public vote with ITV. The young people involved began working with Benn Turton on the theme of ‘Wellbeing & Nature’ in intergenerational workshops in February half term and Easter holidays. Those holiday workshop generated more than 20 different story ideas and began to weave them into one narrative. Benn returned to evening sessions in Fairfield and Gamesley to flesh out the script and get feedback from new young people who have joined the project since Easter. The group also spent evening sessions starting the music and songs with Gareth Carbery and Rizzy Stephenson, learning dance moves with Trixi Bold, making taster animations with Mark Turton and designing the poster with Andrea Joseph.
In the August Summer School they meet members from across the High Peak and put it all together into one stunning show. If you’ve ever wondered how a cat-dragon is born, or where the source of all life springs, take a look at the pics, and watch this space for video coming soon!
Another audience member (aged 3 1/2) said “Wow!”
Youth programme manager, Sophie Mackreth said “we love offering a wide range of arts to young people who are at the start of their creative journeys in life – the Summer School is designed to be inclusive of disabilities, neurodiversity and family resources, that’s why all our projects are free at the point of access. As a result the audience will hear the voice and creativity of the next generation unlike anything they’ve seen before!”
After the show a parent said “Just wanted to say thankyou to all organisers and volunteers, my daughter had a great time and we were so pleased how she spoke like she did!”
Young participant, Jess said “I’ve come because you get to do loads of stuff you haven’t done before”, and Zoe agrees “yes, it’s having new experiences”. Another participant, Orissa, who has done the project for 3 years says “It’s fun, with my friends and I enjoy the dancing – Everyone should watch because we’ve put hard work into it. The show is intriguing! So have a look and find out more!”
Sophie says, “We’re so lucky to have long-term funding from Arts Council England and The National Foundation for Youth Music which both support multiple elements of the youth programme. For the Tall Tales Summer School we also rely on local funder The Bingham Trust and the long term partnership of Buxton Community School whose staff welcome us enthusiastically each year”
It certainly was a night to remember!