EVENTS
Coming soon... in 2024
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Welcome to the Circus
13th - 15th August 2024 9am - 4pm Chrysalis Theatre, MK15 9JY For ages 8 yrs + This is a 3-day performing arts & circus skill workshop where participants can learn various skills from juggling to clown routines. It is perfect for young people who love performing and comedy. This is an immersive week of performing arts skills focusing on inclusion and confidence building. A showcase of skill gained during the workshop will be presented at 3 pm on the 15th August. Continuing our collaboration with performing arts participants from Milton Keynes Camphill we are returning to The Chrysalis Theatre for another action packed and drama filled project. A 3-day or single day pass may be purchased. |
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PANTO 2024
16th December 2024
7 pm
Chrysalis Theatre, MK15 9JY
Tickets will go on sale October 2024
We return to the Chrysalis for our annual Panto, more details of which will be revealed September 2024. We can guarantee laughs, terrible puns, and probably a TARDIS.
There will be an open dress rehearsal at York House on the 14th December, entrance by donation.
16th December 2024
7 pm
Chrysalis Theatre, MK15 9JY
Tickets will go on sale October 2024
We return to the Chrysalis for our annual Panto, more details of which will be revealed September 2024. We can guarantee laughs, terrible puns, and probably a TARDIS.
There will be an open dress rehearsal at York House on the 14th December, entrance by donation.
Check What We've Done!
2024
STONYLIVE! - DAY OF DANCE
1st June 2024
2 pm
Stony Stratford High Street, outside of St Giles
For the second year running we have been invited to perform as part of DAY OF DANCE during STONYLIVE!. This year we will be bringing a short comedy "Death by Chocolate Cake" to the streets.
1st June 2024
2 pm
Stony Stratford High Street, outside of St Giles
For the second year running we have been invited to perform as part of DAY OF DANCE during STONYLIVE!. This year we will be bringing a short comedy "Death by Chocolate Cake" to the streets.
SPRING INTO DRAMA
FREE DRAMA ACTIVITY SESSION
5th April 2024
2pm-4:30pm
Stony Stratford Library
For ages 6 - 12 yrs
We are very excited to be hosting a FREE drama event for 6-12 year olds this Easter.
Looking for a free activities for the kids during the Easter break, Spring into Drama will be a fun packed activity session using performing arts activities to have fun, and build core life skills.
FREE DRAMA ACTIVITY SESSION
5th April 2024
2pm-4:30pm
Stony Stratford Library
For ages 6 - 12 yrs
We are very excited to be hosting a FREE drama event for 6-12 year olds this Easter.
Looking for a free activities for the kids during the Easter break, Spring into Drama will be a fun packed activity session using performing arts activities to have fun, and build core life skills.
2023
Rick Whittington and his Cat
9th ACT OUT & ACT UP annual Pantomime
6pm, 16th December, York House Centre, MK11 1JQ
6:30pm, 18th December, Chrysalis Theatre, MK15 9JY
Family Friendly Festive Fun
Rick, his cat Tommy and his Mum Betty arrive in town just in time to save the Bard and everyone else from King Rat and his Rat Pack. Of course, the Grimms, Ma and the Doctor are not far behind... this is the 9th ACT OUT & ACT UP annual Pantomime.
9th ACT OUT & ACT UP annual Pantomime
6pm, 16th December, York House Centre, MK11 1JQ
6:30pm, 18th December, Chrysalis Theatre, MK15 9JY
Family Friendly Festive Fun
Rick, his cat Tommy and his Mum Betty arrive in town just in time to save the Bard and everyone else from King Rat and his Rat Pack. Of course, the Grimms, Ma and the Doctor are not far behind... this is the 9th ACT OUT & ACT UP annual Pantomime.
HEAR OUR CALL
Play-in-a-week Project 2023
14th - 18th August 2023
Chrysalis Theatre, Camphill MK, near Willen Park
For Ages 8-16 yrs
After last year's successful collaboration with performing arts participants from Milton Keynes Camphill Communities we are returning to The Chrysalis theatre for another action packed and drama filled play-in-a-week project. Starting with only a title "HEAR OUR CALL" the participants will create a plot, characters, devised script, and props in just 5 days. This is an immersive week of theatre production focusing on inclusion and confidence building.
The performance of the play was on the 18th August.
Play-in-a-week Project 2023
14th - 18th August 2023
Chrysalis Theatre, Camphill MK, near Willen Park
For Ages 8-16 yrs
After last year's successful collaboration with performing arts participants from Milton Keynes Camphill Communities we are returning to The Chrysalis theatre for another action packed and drama filled play-in-a-week project. Starting with only a title "HEAR OUR CALL" the participants will create a plot, characters, devised script, and props in just 5 days. This is an immersive week of theatre production focusing on inclusion and confidence building.
The performance of the play was on the 18th August.
Summer Gala July 23
Yet again our incredibly talented and creative participants produced a plethora of performance pieces, including one which showcased during STONYLIVE! in June as a piece of street theatre,
Yet again our incredibly talented and creative participants produced a plethora of performance pieces, including one which showcased during STONYLIVE! in June as a piece of street theatre,
2022
Wizard of Oz
ACT OUT & ACT UP 8th Annual Pantomime
17th (5:30 pm) & 18th (2:30 pm) December 2022
York House Centre, MK11 1JQ
ACT OUT & ACT UP presented their very own take of the Frank Baum classic Wizard of Oz with the usual twist of the Grimm Brothers, Ma Grimm and Dr Who journeying somewhere over the rainbow on festive trip to Oz. Dorothy and Toto set off along the Yellow Brick Road to make new friends on a whirlwind of an adventure with lots of audience participation and laughs.
ACT OUT & ACT UP 8th Annual Pantomime
17th (5:30 pm) & 18th (2:30 pm) December 2022
York House Centre, MK11 1JQ
ACT OUT & ACT UP presented their very own take of the Frank Baum classic Wizard of Oz with the usual twist of the Grimm Brothers, Ma Grimm and Dr Who journeying somewhere over the rainbow on festive trip to Oz. Dorothy and Toto set off along the Yellow Brick Road to make new friends on a whirlwind of an adventure with lots of audience participation and laughs.
Beyond the Hill
Play-in-a-week Project 2022
22nd - 26th August
Chrysalis Theatre, Camphill MK, near Willen Park
For Ages 8-16 yrs
This year's play-in-a-week project took place in conjunction with the residents of Camphill MK. This project focused on creating a theatre company across age and ability to build understanding and cooperation. Working with adults with support needs the youth participants created a 45 min piece of performance performed on the 26th August.
Play-in-a-week Project 2022
22nd - 26th August
Chrysalis Theatre, Camphill MK, near Willen Park
For Ages 8-16 yrs
This year's play-in-a-week project took place in conjunction with the residents of Camphill MK. This project focused on creating a theatre company across age and ability to build understanding and cooperation. Working with adults with support needs the youth participants created a 45 min piece of performance performed on the 26th August.
Summer Gala
14th July
5 pm, York House Gardens (or the Hall if bad weather)
This open air theatre performance encouraged the audience to bring a picnic as ACT OUT and ACT UP presented a series of playlets devised, written, directed and produced by the participants themselves. This is our annual review show giving a real opportunity to participants to show their own work and be as creative as possible.
14th July
5 pm, York House Gardens (or the Hall if bad weather)
This open air theatre performance encouraged the audience to bring a picnic as ACT OUT and ACT UP presented a series of playlets devised, written, directed and produced by the participants themselves. This is our annual review show giving a real opportunity to participants to show their own work and be as creative as possible.
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The YARABIL
12:30 pm, 26th March 2022, Stony Library As part of the celebration of the reopening of the Stony Stratford Library ACT OUT & ACT UP present a group devised an artistic response to thinking about why the library and books are important. During the opening of the library two children discover the mysterious cellar under the library and in it a magical book, The Yarabil, which has the power to awaken all the books, even those that should stay closed.... Due to cast illness there will be another performance of the Yarabil later in 2022, Thank you to all those who came did a brilliant job of holding the show together |
2021
We also filmed two stories in Great Linford Manor Park to celebrate the park during its renovations in 2020 and 2021.
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2021 Pantomime
A GRIMM CHRISTMAS CAROL ACT OUT & ACT UP 7th Annual Panto 4th (5.30pm) & 5th (2.30pm) December 2021 We brought some festive spirit to York House Centre with our version of A Christmas Carol. as the Grimms Brothers and their Ma stumbled into Charles Dickens famous tale of mean misers, ghastly ghosts, and festive feasts. |
SUMMER GALA
Due to lockdown we present our summer gala to a limited audience and filmed the presentations which were shared digitally with parents. It took place on the 15th July at 5pm in the York House Gardens
Due to lockdown we present our summer gala to a limited audience and filmed the presentations which were shared digitally with parents. It took place on the 15th July at 5pm in the York House Gardens
VE DAY CELEBRATIONS
We finally did it!
As part of the national VE day celebrations marking 75 since the end of WWII, ACT OUT & UP, in collaboration with LIVING ARCHIVE received National Lottery Heritage Fund to produce a devised interactive performance using archive material from the Living Archive. We had just begun this project when the Covid-19 Pandemic struck. Whilst we could move the drama sessions online it did delay the project which evolved into a film project rather than a theatre piece and was resumed in the autumn term 2020 and then waylayed again due to the second lockdown. Throughout our participants used our VE Day information page to help develop their characters and add ideas to the filming and music and we finally film it in June 2021 and its word premiere will be on 2nd September 2021 at 5pm in York House Centre.
We finally did it!
As part of the national VE day celebrations marking 75 since the end of WWII, ACT OUT & UP, in collaboration with LIVING ARCHIVE received National Lottery Heritage Fund to produce a devised interactive performance using archive material from the Living Archive. We had just begun this project when the Covid-19 Pandemic struck. Whilst we could move the drama sessions online it did delay the project which evolved into a film project rather than a theatre piece and was resumed in the autumn term 2020 and then waylayed again due to the second lockdown. Throughout our participants used our VE Day information page to help develop their characters and add ideas to the filming and music and we finally film it in June 2021 and its word premiere will be on 2nd September 2021 at 5pm in York House Centre.
2020
Unfortunately 2020 saw the cancellation of our annual Summer Gala on the 2nd July, 4.30pm where our troupe of actors and directors would normally present their own work exploring devising, site-specific & promenade theatre. We also had to cancel our annual Pantomime, which would have taken place on the 5th (5.30pm) & 6th (2pm) December. However, it takes more than a pandemic to stop ACT OUT & ACT UP, for a year we went online and even produced a virtual panto.
ITS VIRTUALLY A CHRISTMAS PANTO
Our physical panto may have been cancelled but there is no stopping our ACT OUT & UP actors. The Grimms Brothers may be self-isolating, Ma maybe planning a cheesey Christmas and the Dr is "solar distancing" but that's nothing a little zoom call can't fix... This year the panto was shared for a limited time via the website rather than being performed at York House.
The Panto is one of biggest fund raising efforts of the year, this year without it and with funding limited due to the pandemic we really need every penny - so search the back of the sofa and the depths of pockets to help us continue our youth theatre. Thanks to people generosity we raised £600 to help us weather the .lockdowns, thanks you everyone.
Our physical panto may have been cancelled but there is no stopping our ACT OUT & UP actors. The Grimms Brothers may be self-isolating, Ma maybe planning a cheesey Christmas and the Dr is "solar distancing" but that's nothing a little zoom call can't fix... This year the panto was shared for a limited time via the website rather than being performed at York House.
The Panto is one of biggest fund raising efforts of the year, this year without it and with funding limited due to the pandemic we really need every penny - so search the back of the sofa and the depths of pockets to help us continue our youth theatre. Thanks to people generosity we raised £600 to help us weather the .lockdowns, thanks you everyone.
During the lockdowns we also took part of the National Theatre's zoom project ImagiNATION producing two plays (Chinny-Chin-Chin and The Great Big Ham) filmed online, and a zoom filmed video-play YB Silent in honour of the out going Youth Bard of 2019/2022.
Previous Events
2019
2019 started with a bang as we were awarded a Tesco community grant of £2,000 for our 'Spring into Action' project which focused on physical theatre in our spring term, this included developing skills in clowning, mask, mime, commedia del arte, dance, and stage combat. These skills were then used as part of the participants self devised and scripted plays produced for the Summer Gala on 11th July.
In December our annual pantomime was 'Treasure Island and The Pirates of Stony Stratford', took place on the 7th (evening) & 8th (matinee) December, and was our best, most colourful and musical panto yet with live music provided by Stephen Ferneyhough and 9th Bard of Stony Stratford Mitchell Taylor joined the crew to swash and buckle across the high seas.
In December our annual pantomime was 'Treasure Island and The Pirates of Stony Stratford', took place on the 7th (evening) & 8th (matinee) December, and was our best, most colourful and musical panto yet with live music provided by Stephen Ferneyhough and 9th Bard of Stony Stratford Mitchell Taylor joined the crew to swash and buckle across the high seas.
2018
In 2018 we our summer gala took advantage of the good weather to be a 'play & picnic' event with seven short plays produced by hte participants themselves. Our annual pantomime was on the weekend of the 5.30pm on the 8th December & 2.30pm on the 9th December 2018, this time Ma and the Grimm Brothers visit relatives in Ole Baghdad for Christmas in Arabian Nights in an adventure of terrible torrid tyrants, wiley woodcutters, 40 thieves, and a flying carpet.
2017
2017 saw ACT OUT & ACT UP work with LIVING ARCHIVE to create a 20 minute film called 'HIstony' about the local history of Stony Stratford in the spring term. The summer term brought the annual summer gala, a chance for the group to write, direct, and devise their own pieces of performance, this year we had 6 original pieces created by the group. The Autumn started with fun and games to skill build and prepare for the Panto on 2oth and 21st December 2017 featuring Stephen Hobbs the 7th Bard of Stony Stratford, and a cameo performance by Andy Powell. Another original creation from H30 especially written for ACT OUT and ACT UP.
2016
As well as the main shows, the group also performed at the Stony Stratford's Shakespeare evening 24th April 2016, the Big Lunch - part of StonyLive 2016, produced their own plays for their Summer Showcase Gala,Stony Lights Switch-on day, and Angels in the Abbey at Bradwell Abbey.
2015
In their first full year ACT OUT took part in the first Stony Stratford Theatre Society pantomime, Cinderella, delved into the realm of dreams and nightmares in the scripted and devised play Dream Factory, created a play in two days focus on the other-side of fairy tales to ask if the villians really are as bad as they seem, and if heroes are really as good. As the Stony Stratford Theatre Society were not doing a second panto at the end of the year, ACT OUT created their own, The Golden Goose, which started a tradition. They also performed at the Big Lunch - part of StonyLive 2015, produced their own plays for their Summer Showcase Gala, Apple Day, Stony Lights Switch-on day, and Angels in the Abbey at Bradwell Abbey.
2014
The idea for a term time youth drama group was created when storyteller theatre practitioner Terrie Howey moved to Stony Stratford and met Ken Daniels and Fiona Trinder of York House Centre. A very successful taster session was run during the autumn half-term and the group started officially the first week of November 2014, just in time to get involved with Stony Stratford Theatre Society who were planning their first pantomime.
