On a journey - Chapel Arts Creative Writing Group performs live at the Fringe!
Whether it is the path least taken or the path back to the carpark, Chapel Arts Creative Writing Group from Chapel-en-le-Frith in the High Peak will be considering journeys big or small for its spoken word performance at this year’s Buxton Festival Fringe (July 5th to 23rd).
The thriving group of writers, some of whom are award-winning published authors, will be sharing a wide variety of stories, poetry, mini-plays and more at two special events, one on July 17th at 7.30pm to 9pm and the other a matinée on July 22nd at 2pm to 3.30pm. Different material is likely to feature at each.
The show, entitled “Journeys”, looks set to avoid cliché, with many different interpretations of the theme. Subject matter includes a journey through dementia; two epic journeys to Durham Cathedral, centuries apart; the view from the back of a motorbike; the story of a garden’s gradual deconstruction by professional landscapers; the journey through life; virtual reality travels; a sci-fi adventure; and a comic poem exploring one alpha male’s inability to take in road directions.
Led by author Mark Henderson, the group is open to all but includes professional writers among its ranks. This year the group has already published a booklet of short stories, “Someone Here Will Commit a Murder”, and created a play set in a GP’s waiting room featuring monologues from the entire group.
Says Mark: ‘As always, it’s proving a pleasure and a privilege to work with these creative writers. The quality of their work is matched by their enthusiasm and their infectious enjoyment, as this year’s “Journeys” performances will show. I’m looking forward to July 17th and 22nd!’
A registered charity, Chapel Arts was formed to encourage the development of a broad range of arts in the Chapel-en-le-Frith area. Details of events, including regular spoken word performances, are available on www.chapelarts.org.uk. The site also includes the Writing Group’s filmed and recorded readings created for the Fringe in 2021 and 2020 and will be updated with transcripts from this year’s live performances.