Fun in the name of funding

3:55pm Thursday 25th January 2007

THE next phase in New Theatre Works director Ellie Parker's working partnership with children orphaned by the tsunami takes shape this weekend.

A new play under the direction of Janine Sharp is enjoying a brief tour before it is taken to the children in camps and orphanages, where Ellie has worked since the disaster with international charity, Fun For Life.

The play, What to Do?, which received substantial Arts Council backing, involves eight to 12-year-olds in making the performance, which includes circus skills and singing jungle animals and children from local schools can participate in the fun this Saturday.

A play-for-a-day workshop is being held at the beautiful Colliloquy building near Lyonshall, starting at 11am, with a performance for parents and friends at 4.30pm.

A string of further events is planned to raise funds for the tour: you can test your wits with a Scrabble competition in Ewyas Harold Village Hall on February 10 or a bridge night in Breinton on February 3, risk a poker night in Monmouth or indulge in an artists lunch in Hay-on-Wye.

The culmination of fund-raising activities is a night of entertainment at the Lion Ballroom, Leominster, on February 9, featuring music from the ever-popular Blake's Three, stand-up comedy from Dharminger Singh, songs from the show What to Do? and Solray, the extraordinary Croatian Magician.

All inquiries and bookings via fund-raising co-ordinator, Jenny Ellerton, on 01568 797414.