We are about to begin going down the rehearsal road for the all New Verona Cup Challenge 2016 .
Something we are calling VX1 – Verona Comes Home
A decade of Verona has been and gone and now we start a new chapter . With new people , new ideas , new creative talent .
Something more contemporary even , a departure from the ways of the past , to live in our present youth company and prepare for a more cultured city future .
There’s no doubt it’ll be a bit different from before . A whole 3 generations of Spires Allumni , the first Verona trail blazers , have been and gone .
From the early years of those whose names you won’t even know – Mark Rowley ( an up and coming you actor should look out for in future ) , Euan Nixon , Danny Heron , Marcus Guy , Megan Hair
To the middle years of Verona with :
Daniel Cameron , Vicki Craig , Rebbeca Spence , Scott Reid , Lisa McConnel , Holly Goodwin , Amy Connachan
And on and into the end of the decade with :
Chloe Lupton , Erin Hair , Thomas Roninson , Eve Thomson , Blair Stobie , Louise McCourt
And through it pretty much from half way your leadership team for Verona X1 :
Abby McCann and Cameron McNee
And laterally but not far behind
Garth Finch and Eleanor Farrelly
Yes over the past 10 years Verona has helped make some pretty special PACE people . Names that lasted the pace in other ways …
Because I think here in Spires , Verona is a rite of youth theatre passage
Something you want to do before you leave , at least once . It really is the stuff pace peer group dreams are made of …
Verona will now only take place every second year , with a CAPMON Event in the interim year to keep house morale high .
This year – Year 1 of The New . We set the pace clock back to the beginning and remember the fist cast that were pulled together for it , the first ” 2 Houses , both alike in dignity ” in fair Verona where we laid our scene .
They don’t know what to expect , we didn’t know what would be the end result on stage . We held our breath and waited for the night
It was a Triumph of Youth Passion and Spirit
A Montague victory that would last the next 3 years till Marcus Crawford Guy brought the Cup Home to Capulet, all the way from the Golden Age of Hollywood .
And the rest as they say…is PACE History
I think this year may very be the same . A largely unknown cast but with a real hunger and passion to make their mark on the PACE stage .
And though the houses may appear young and naive , it will amaze you how much they will pull each other up how far they will come along the performance way , when they realise that drama is a leveller for all ages and talent will always out when the circumstances are right , when it’s brought together with others with real passion for PACE.
So …
Let fresh winds of change
Blow out all that is old
And blow in the new …
Hello VX1 2016 !
The year Verona comes Home
Home to Paisley and maybe , soon to be UK City Of Culture 2021
Now that is a challenge indeed !
So I was thinking , when I was dreaming up all that goes with something new , that with our foot firmly on the culture pedal now , we should look at our Paisley Town heritage and culture , the treasure and art , the architecture , the people , the achievements , the inspiration that has come from this proud place in Scotland .
A town that has a lion ‘s roar at its centre , a saint as its’ forbear and a royal dynasty cradled deep in its is heart .
The Hopes and Dreams of a town’s tomorrow are easy to imagine if you recognise where you have come from , what you are part of and the things that should really matter to you here – in future.
And so the VX1 brief took shape :
Past
Present
Future
Paisley then , Paisley now and Paisley tomorrow
I have done many projects recently linked to our City of Culture 2021 bid . And each time I complete one, I am amazed at how much more I know about this place that holds PACE as part of its special core.
You don’t have to come from Paisley to get this passion for a town that has been living in the lowly shadows of its posturing neighbour Glasgow for far too long .
You don’t have to live here to know that when at PACE you are part of this town too.
You just have to understand that PACE is as much a part of Paisley now , as the Abbey , the great Mills and even the Arts Centre that stand as a reminder of greater times gone by.
It’s all around you . All you have to do is look up , look out …look with better eyes .
I am a convert to the power of Paisley through my artistic exposure to its rich tapestry of culture , it’s claim to fame on a world stage , it’s patterned existence . A teardrop of sheer joy .
So I want us to recognise and celebrate this too . We really have to !
I want the Youth of PACE to creatively go, where no youth company has ever gone before and to show this town , this unique and gifted place , in all its leonine glory .
I want us to roar it from the Spires roof tops for all others to hear. Pride of Paisley indeed .
Paisley for City of Culture 2021
I want you to “Get behind our bid” , support us by being a great big part of this campaign through your involvement in Verona X1.
Less about the Houses, more about the Challenge ahead of us to win this title and finally get Paisle and PACE on the UK map.
But first to build the twin Houses. Red and White , white and Red …what’s in a name …
Once you receive your House allocation . It is yours for life and even when you are far away in your future , the mention of Capulet or Montague , will hopefully bring back great memories to stay with you forever .
No one here forgets who they were on that destiny fuelled performance day . In your special Verona Play .
“We few , we happy few …we band of brothers”
So , rousing Henry V style VX! inspired pitch over …to business and practicalities
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Let’s see ….
Dates for VX1:
Tuesday 21st June , Wednesday 22nd June , Thursday 23rd June , Friday 24th June 2016
All current Spires members have been emailed now asking for your availability for these dates .
As yet we have still not heard from some Spires Theatre Scene members . Please check with your parents emails if you do not have access to your own email account. We need this information a,s.a.p
You will not be placed in a House until we know your general availability.
Existing House members must confirm this too, regardless if you have told your House Director or not.
We need this information by Friday 26th February .
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Information:
Verona is in 4 different parts as part of a new and innovative approach . More a week of Verona Theatre Festival events , culminating in a final performance .
You may not be used or needed for all these dates .
Part 1 ( Tuesday 21st June ) TAPESTRY
This will be performed jointly by both HOUSES , with those making up the FIREFLY 16 PERFORMANCE MODULE Group. The play will be writte and only performed by this joint creative collective , as part of their end of unit course work for the module .
This will lead into an opening ceremony undertaken by the HOUSE DIRECTORSHIPS and the Firefly Cast.
We may ask some other House representatives to be part of this as well.
Please note : Part 1 is not judged and acts as an opening to the festival and the theme of Verona itself .
You may not be required on this night unless part of F16 or asked specially to attend .
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Part 2 ( Wednesday 22nd June ) – CLOTH
This is potentially the most demanding part of the challenge . A live Performance Art show , vibrantly expressing the colourful and diverse heritage and culture of Paisley . Costing on the legacy and tradition of the weaving industry that made Paisley the envy of the world .
Something completely new this year , as we do away with the old exhibition space in Spires 1 and bring the research and art of our journey “off the walls” and into the Wynd theatre Space. In a promenade event format . Spontaneity is going to be the hall Mark of this occasion . An event to make people see things in a whole different light and an experience to change the minds of those who thought art and drama were too different things .
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Part 3 – ( Thursday 23rd June ) – Loom Dance
Verona without Movement and Dance is like Christmas without a Tree.
So we dedicated to dedicate an entire show night to this occasion . Using the talent and genius of John Byrne ( Paisley’s most prolific playwright ) and his iconic and stylish work Cuttin’ a Rug
We transform ourselves into the Paisley Town Hall , dancing our way back to 1957 , when Rock and Roll , Elvis and Sputnik were King ; when the annual Christmas dance was the highlight of the year for the workers of Stoddards carpet factory in Paisley .
Phil , Spanky , Lucille , Bernadette painting the town drama red ….a hand jive here , a pally glide there …
“I’m 19 I’ve a wardrobe full of clothes , what more could a buddy ask for?!”
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Part 4 – Friday 24th June – Mirror 21
Final night
A celebration of the future , created by the talent , dedication and passion of the young people of PACE that will make it 2021 happen .
This night will see the Cup awarded for the best overall performance of the VX1 challenge , along with some special awards for outstanding performances along the way .
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So to recap briefly
– Please make sure you have let us know your availability for the performances and notification of any school trips you may have in May/ June during the final stages of the rehearsal period .
We may be able to work round these , depending on your part in the sections . House Directors will be able to use you much more if you are free for everything.
I know June is school show time and school trips but we are letting you know in advance so you can decide what you want to do.
Let Colleen know of any problems – colleen@pacetheatre.co.uk
Hope this puts things more in perspective for you regards this buzz project. .
The House meeting on Sunday 28th February is for those who have been allocated a house already and have confirmed availability for the performance dates.
The house meeting is in Spires from 2-5pm
Please wear movement clothes and be ready for V glory .
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