Sunflower House: Library image
The Folkestone Performing Arts Company (FPAC), the town’s premier theatre ensemble has landed a prestigious research and development grant from Arts Council England! This fantastic news coincides with the launch of an exhilarating new season of community-focused workshops.
Thanks to this funding, FPAC will employ five talented actors, a visionary director, and a team of creatives for two weeks to bring to life a full-length production of Thomas Ingoldsby’s Mrs Botherby’s Story: The Leech of Folkestone. Set against the eerie backdrop of Romney Marsh, this play weaves a macabre yet humorous tale of a woman so exasperated with her husband that she seeks the help of a local doctor to rid herself of him. Expect medieval folklore, vibrant characters, supernatural twists, and stunning depictions of southeast Kent’s landscapes.
Artistic Director Matthew Hahn shared his excitement:
“We are over the moon to receive our first Arts Council England grant. It’s a joy to pay local artists to create a fresh and dynamic production based on such a captivating story. This grant is a tremendous boost for our company and underscores the importance of local theatre made by local artists with local stories.”
FPAC’s new season of workshops is also set to ignite creativity, offering training opportunities for both budding and seasoned writers and performers.
FPAC operates through three dynamic streams: a Community Theatre Group, a Writing for Performance Group, and an experienced Ensemble, which will be developing The Leech.
Hahn added,
“We are ecstatic to start this new term with the Arts Council’s support and all three strands of our theatre company in full swing. This marks the first time since our formation in 2022 that we will be running our complete programme of opportunities.”
The Writing for Performance group will meet regularly, providing a platform for anyone interested in stage writing to see their work performed by FPAC’s Community Theatre or Ensemble actors. Hahn’s vision is for the group to develop various pieces, from short plays to monologues, and bring them to life on stage.
Get ready for a season brimming with creativity, local talent, and unforgettable performances!
The Community Theatre group will also meet regularly in the new season and get anyone who has an interest in acting. Each term, FPAC plans to have an end-of-term sharing for the wider community to enjoy the work that has been created.
Hahn says.
‘The FPAC Community Theatre and Writing for Performance groups are friendly and inclusive spaces where you can feel comfortable developing your own creative ideas and performance skills’
‘The training we offer through these sessions includes drama skills such as voice, character and text analysis, and playwrighting skills…in addition, participants gain ‘soft’ skills such as verbal and non-verbal communication, empathy, teamwork, fitness, well-being and self-confidence…we also look to combat social isolation through these regular creative social gatherings’
‘Importantly, no experience is necessary to take part. Anyone with any interest in theatre writing or performance is warmly invited to come along.’
The Community Theatre workshops will be held at Sunflower House, 45 Foord Rd, Folkestone, CT19 5AE. The Writing for Performance Workshops will be held at the Community Room, The Bayle, Folkestone – but please check the website (http://www.fpac.info) for updated information. Workshop dates are as
follows:
● Community Theatre sessions: 13 & 27 September; 11 & 25 October; 8 & 22 November and 6 December
2024.
● Writing for Performance sessions: 17 September; 1, 15 & 29 October; 12 & 26 November and 3 December
2024.