Torch comes alight with touch of visual theatre (From Western Telegraph)

Torch comes alight with touch of visual theatre

Pembrokeshire Summer Drama Scheme presents Surrealisimo on Friday, September 3rd - Saturday, September 4th, 7.30pm.

REBELLIOUS and revolutionary in nature, Surrealism became the avant-garde art movement that deliberately defied reason in 20th century Europe.

Now 80 years after its conception, Surrealism is coming to the Torch Theatre stage, thanks to the imagination and ingenuity of the Pembrokeshire Summer Drama Scheme. In just three weeks, the precocious talent of 19 local youngsters will produce an original piece of visual theatre, inspired by the anti-art movement.

Director, Andy Greenhouse, explained that the idea for his latest production came two years ago, after the scheme was invited to take a play to Barcelona.

"As we didn't know how to get over the language barrier, we decided to use as little speech as possible," he said. "Somebody said at the time that it was like watching a surrealist painting and out of that show came the idea of Surrealisimo.

Having previously produced two shows about Welsh identity, the Torch Theatre's drama director used the idea of something being 'less of a play and more a moving art gallery' as a tasty starter for the youthful actors.

With just over a week to explore the intriguing world of Surrealism, before constructing a text on which to hang their ideas, the group will gain invaluable lessons from the likes of Su Chu Lu and Clive Mendus from Theatre De Complicite.

"These three weeks give the kids a real opportunity to work alongside professionals allowing them to develop certain skills that teachers in schools often don't have the time to develop because of the tightness of the National Curriculum," Andy said.

The former teacher hopes that at the end of this dramatic journey his young troupe will learn that putting on a piece of theatre is not about individual efforts, but working as an ensemble.

"They may become stars," he said, "but you can only achieve that as a member of a group, carrying out tasks together while trying to get something on stage. Everything about this scheme is about collaboration."

With that all-important backstage pass into the world of drama, production and technical stage management, the summer drama scheme's performance on September 3rd and 4th, promises to be an authentic insight into the avant-garde movement that is Surrealism. Emma Jones

We have four pairs of tickets up for grabs to see Surrealisimo on either the Friday or Saturday night.

To win simply answer the following question: Who is the director of Surrealisimo?

Send your answer along with your name, address, and telephone number to Surrealisimo Competition, Western Telegraph, Old Hakin Road, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, SA61 1XF.

Closing date for all entries is August 25th.