Cultural legacy of the Southside to be discussed at all-day conference.

Anyone interested in the Southside of Glasgow, its history, traditions, fun and music will have a feast on Saturday 23 March 2013 when an all-day conference will be held by the South Glasgow Heritage and Environment Trust.

The day will include many great speakers who can tell about the Music, Mirth and Magic  of the cultural life of that part of the city.  Pantomime, Temperance and the Glasgow Apollo are on the list of subjects to be discussed.

All of this for £10 which includes lunch  in the cosy environment of the Premier Inn, Ballater Street, Gorbals G5 from 10.30am till 4pm.

So you want to be a star? Here’s your chance!

A rare opportunity for people to learn the skills of the theatre is open right now with Theatre Ecole. Based in the Southside of Glasgow, the company has evolved from a youth and community group to a professional organisation – and registered charity – producing first class entertainment throughout the stage seasons.

The benefit to individuals is inestimable. But two of their graduates can tell their own success stories.

Garry Hogg joined the group in 2001 aged 14. Since then he has been an actor, tutor, stage manager, wardrobe assistant. Last year he took on the demanding role of Artistic Director for his first Pantomime.

Enthused by his leisure experiences, Garry gained his HND in acting and performance in 2008 and then his BA Honours in Performance for stage and film in 2010. Last summer he went global when he taught Drama and Directed numerous shows at Camp Taconic, a summer camp in Massachusetts in the United States. Garry says that: ‘Without the experience, training and support gained at Theatre École, I wouldn’t have the confidence or skills to be the person I am today or have had so many good experiences.’ Garry plans to continue working with young people and looks forward to Theatre École’s summer musical.

Michelle Gallagher joined the group in 2004 and showed great talent when cast as the Queen of Hearts in her very first Pantomime. She went on to play challenging roles such as Jinty, the Dame and Glinda the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz. Michelle gained her B.ED in 2010 and is now a successful primary school teacher. She said: ‘Being part of Ecole helped me realise that I enjoy working with children and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. I use a lot of what I learned at drama when teaching the children.’

Several other members who joined École have successfully gained their HND in Acting and Performance and have toured England and Scotland in various productions including Theatre in Education.

Commented Founder Isobel Barrett: ‘Being part of Theatre École breeds success for the future as can be seen from Garry and Michelle’s stories. The arts are a resource for overall development of the individual; fostering self-confidence, citizenship, creativity and decision-making as well as other life skills.’ She emphasised that not everyone aims to become a stage professional – many enjoy the Theatre Ecole experience as a life-enhancing hobby.

She extends the invitation to anyone aged from 9 to 26 who would like to become a part of the team for the June musical, to sign up for classes starting on Wednesday 18 January.  There is also a job going with the company as a drama tutor/creative assistant involved with various aspects of work including webdesign.

Theatre Ecole  headquarters and performance space is at Theatre at Queen’s within the Queen’s Park Parish Church complex and their website is: www.theatre-ecole.org.uk or www.facebook.com/theatreecole or tel 0141 423 6037.

Panto comes down your way

A new collaboration between Glasgow Arts and Hopscotch Theatre Company will bring a fun filled pantomime to ten community venues starting from Wednesday 23 November.

Not only is the credit crunch beginning to bite, but Mother Goose  (played by Paul Kozinski) is ageing fast and has spent all the rent on wrinkle cream. When her Lucy the goosey starts to lay golden eggs it looks as if her worries are over. But the dreadful Demon King (David McGowan and Ross Stenhouse)  has his greedy eye on the Golden Goose and that spells trouble…

Scripted and directed by Ross Stenhouse, the production is a modern take on the traditional tale. It has plenty of singing, dancing, laughs, magic and audience participation. And tickets at £3 and £2 are selling fast which supports the theory that communities have a thirst for live performance.

First stop will be the Lodging House Mission in Gallowgate on 23 November with the last of the 10 shows being in Castlemilk on Saturday 17 December.

Writer, director and actor Ross Stenhouse is a founder member of Hopscotch Theatre and said: ‘Hopscotch are delighted to be performing our pantomime for Glasgow Life for the first time and are looking forward to entertaining audiences all over Glasgow. There will be fun and laughter, boos and hisses and golden eggs aplenty when that goose gets loose aboot the hoose.’

Councillor George Redmond, Chair of Glasgow Life, said; ‘I am excited at our collaboration with Hopscotch Theatre Company this Christmas, to bring all the fun of panto into the very heart of our communities across the city. Encouraging a love of the arts is a wonderful gift to give our children. That often starts with shouting at the pantomime villain and getting involved in a traditional festive show like this one.’

For more information on Mother Goose Community Pantomime  visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/arts

Dates for the panto are: Wednesday 23 November, Lodging House Mission, G1;

Friday 25 November, Bellcraig Community Centre, G23;

Saturday 26 November, Barmulloch Community Centre, G21;

Friday 2 December, Penilee Community Centre, G52;

Saturday 3 December,The Whiteinch Centre, G14;

Thursday 8 December, Drumchapel Community Centre, G15;

Friday 9 December, Pollok Community Centre, G53;

Thursday 15 December, Shettleston Community Centre, G32,

Friday 16 December, Saint Francis Centre, G5;

Saturday 17 December, Castlemilk Community Centre, G45.