SAVVY Theatre | Year In Review

2020/2021

Despite two years dominated by the pandemic and ongoing restrictions, SAVVY continued to deliver an incredible array of projects throughout lockdown. Our 'Mixed Bean' season developed new skills in digital media within our Core Team, our groups created two films and devised a wholly original Steampunk Pantomime (that was eventually realised at the Ashcroft Theatre in July 2021, and was the first theatre show back at Fairfield Halls). We also took part in numerous online forums, produced a Christmas lockdown lip-sync film and our Crisis Averted group (whose play The Seance was not realised due to the pandemic), took part in the Theatre Centre's ImagiNation festival of plays (and were selected as showcase performers for their final online festival). We were also able to (finally) realise our Grimmly Season, which was shelved in March 2020, to be eventually produced Autumn 2021.

In Addition

After moving back into our studio (for the third time) in April 2021, and one of the first things we hosted was a week-long intensive for young people keen to discover pathways into the acting profession. So You Want To Be An Actor was a sell-out success with visiting professionals including agents and casting directors. All the young people involved went on to join our weekly Young Company, taking part in our Jack & the Beanstalk July Panto and performing in our Grimmly Season.

We also facilitated employability workshops in Beckmead Academy Trust schools and worked partnership with Facefront Theatre as part of their online Fear Summit festival, hosting an off-the-record discussion exploring the role of the Zanni when working with disabled and non-disabled actors. Guest speaker was Russell Dean from Strangeface.

The Mixed Bean Season

While our studio was closed due to the pandemic, the SAVVY Summer Season moved online with weekly Zoom sessions, ongoing collaboration between members and show development. Throughout the lockdown, we wanted to ensure that we maintained contact with our members and provided support to access SAVVY’s online sessions; continued to provide exciting and energetic weekly workshops, that would facilitate creation in a virtual safe space; were able to support member collaboration; and could transfer the work being developed online, back into the SAVVY studio when lockdown ended.

Face Front Fear Summit

Commedia, Clowning & the role of the Zanni in an inclusive society!

Working in partnership with Facefront Theatre as part of their online Fear Summit festival, SAVVY hosted this off-the-record discussion exploring the role of the Zanni when working with disabled and non-disabled actors. Guest speaker was Russell Dean from Strangeface.

Our Christmas Lip-Sync Challenge

As the country headed into another lockdown in December 2020, we set a lip-sync challenge for all of our members to help keep spirits up. Here's the wonderful result!

Up In Your Head

by Jon Brittian

Featuring SAVVY members from our Adult Company and Crisis Averted Drama Groups, as part of the Theatre Centre's ImagiNation Festival, Summer 2020.

Jack & The Beanstalk

Welcome to Giant Inc.

A large corporation is polluting the skies above with their industrialised nation, while the agricultural land below is suffering under the strain. Our Panto Dame is figuring out how to use the new-fangled machines that Jack keeps inventing and Milky White is looking to become an influencer on MooTube.
Combining traditional pantomime with a steampunk twist, audiences were introduced to Jack, a young progressive torn between two worlds - the traditional farming community he lives in with Dame Trott, his mother, and the industrial world above he has heard so much about - with its amazing contraptions, impossible inventions and giant wealth!

After many stop-starts due to the pandemic, the show was finally realised with an inclusive cast, a live audience and a fully animated set on the 18th July 2021, at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls.

The Pillow Whisperers

by Matilda Ibini

Performed by Luke & Sean from our Crisis Averted Drama Group, as part of the Theatre Centre's ImagiNation Festival, Summer 2020.

A Giant Adventure

One boy, one beanstalk, one giant adventure!

Starting during the Summer Lockdown of 2020, the SAVVY documentary team headed to the legendary village of Brobdingnagian to interview townsfolk about that famous incident involving a beanstalk, a giant and a boy named Jack.

Throughout the pandemic, working both in the SAVVY studio and over Zoom, our amazing members from 3-D, Action Replay and Take-2, created a documentary-style film.

Their completed film was premiered at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, on Sunday 18th July 2021.

So You Want To Be An Actor

SAVVY hosted a week-long intensive for young people aged 13–18 years who were interested in pursuing a career in acting. During the week they:

worked with a director to prepare audition pieces

had their acting headshots done and prepared their CV's

met with casting directors, agents and drama school staff

attended workshops in voice, movement and different performance styles including mask and stage combat

created a short performance and took part in a final sharing of work

The Wrong Village

Starting during the Summer Lockdown of 2020, the SAVVY documentary team headed to the legendary village of Brobdingnagian to interview townsfolk about that famous incident involving a beanstalk, a giant and a boy named Jack.

Throughout the pandemic, working both in the SAVVY studio and over Zoom, our amazing YounGrrr Company, created a documentary-style film.

Their completed film was premiered at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, on Sunday 18th July 2021.

The Seance

Visions in the basement and an old tale from the local manor house bring new business opportunities and a gathering of people.
Is it just a spooky story or something more?

An original show written by the Crisis Averted Company exploring what lengths people will go to, to be heard.

This show was not shared with a live audience due to the country going into lockdown the week before the show's premiere.

Beckmead Trust

Employability Workshops

Utilising Mask and drama skills, SAVVY provided six workshops across the Beckmead Academy Trust throughout June, designed to build skills and explore body language in interview situations. It was also just a lot of fun!

Creating Theatre Workshops

Having seen his award-winning show The Canary & The Crow, pupils at Wandle Valley Academy worked with playwright Daniel Ward and composer Prez96 on unlocking story moments, character points of view and music development.

Later that year Dan joined our Adult Company on Zoom to provide support for our Jack & the Beanstalk Panto.