The Make directors took 8 cast, 2 crew, 2 kids and
a bus driver up to the Efringe this year with their new musical STOP!
The journey
took 12 hours with the obligatory rest breaks at Gloucester and Tebay. Thanks
to the Stewart's we had a wonderful house waiting for us right at the top of
the main street, known as the Mile just off Grassmarket. Known as the Anta
house we couldn't afford the trip without their hospitality.
Written by
Kat Wilsher, Sophy Layzell and Nat Wilsher, STOP! Centred on conversations held
at a Somerset bus stop (both real and imagined) and aimed to challenge our
assumptions based on what we see and hear.
We performed
at another TheSpace venue again, this time in Niddry Street, our most exciting
venue yet. Thrust staging with 79 seats, the perfect space for our pop up bus
made by Dan Wilsher out of recycled seats from the last show and bits of perspex!
We received many compliments from both audience members and staff from the
Space about the clever set design, one Space member came along to our technical
just to see the bus stop in action!
Running at
approx 45 mins from 2.50pm on Monday 15-Sat 20 August our light-hearted
musical comedy was described as 'completely charming' by the husband of a wife
who wept her way through 'Who Will I Dance With' as well as
'thought
provoking, performed with gusto + heart!!' By RCBC theatre.
Oscar
nominated director Tom Van Avermaet tweeted to say, '#STOP catchy tunes and a
heartfelt message delivered with much enthusiasm by the young Make Theatre'.
Three of our
cast aged 16-25, Abi Cousins, Sophie and Thomas Russell, were young students
who have worked their way up the Make Performing Arts ranks and have been
members of our schools since we launched in 2010. Only Chris Osborne and Nat
Wilsher were from the original cast from our first Edfringe tour in 2012.
Naomi Boxell
wrote to say she, 'Cannot believe how quickly the past week has gone! I had the
best time performing at the Edinburgh fringe! But I wouldn't have been able to
do it without my lovely adopted family. Love you all'
Angus Maxwell
who joined the cast at the last minute wrote, 'Missing you all already. It's
going to be hard adjusting to life without the occasional screech from Imogen
(directors daughter) or going to see shows every night. I've had the most
fun with this trip and will be most definitely be up for the next one, can't be
missing out on the quality banter and overall love felt throughout. Love you
all guys, rest up and finally just remember; just stop and look around you, you
lucky thing.' That last line is a quote from the show!
Chris Osborne
wrote, 'I can't thank you guys enough for a wonderful time. I may have been a
bit teary when I got home and although they are sad tears they're also happy
ones. I can't wait for our next adventure and I hope we can all meet again
soon'
Many thanks
to those who sponsored and encouraged us on the two year journey that this show
has taken;
Linda Vijeh
for £1000 funding from the Somerset Health and Wellbeing fund.
The Powde
Trust for £600 towards costs to support the educational progression of young
men in our cast.
Pauline Burr
and South Somerset District Council for funding last years pilot scheme.
Ilminster Rotary Club
Anta Scotland
for accommodation.
Taunton
School and Broadway Methodist Chapel for rehearsal space.
Plus our
private sponsors: Elisabeth Beverley, Mark and Margot Wilsher, Diane Colethorpe
and Make parents who have supported our fundraising events.
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