Ever since I’ve had this blog the person who has really kept it going is the wonderful Gareth Verow who blogged when I failed to do so for months on end! But it’s time to change and so after a deep meaningful discussion (a few words in a pub!) hayley vs gareth has come to an end… it was fun whilst it was going bro!

The Song of the Hours

This Song is one from ‘Mother Courage and her children’. Performed by Duke Special, it’s a beautiful beautiful Song!

Ever since reading Ann Jellicoe’s book ‘Community Play’s and how to put them on’, I have been inspired and intrigued by the whole concept. This year I’m so excited to be able to be involved in a play that is trying to do exactly what Jellicoe was writing about in her book!

At Midday on 2^nd April in the market square of Wokingham ‘Good Friday – a community play’ will be taking place. With just under 2 months to go we are putting together ideas and cast and getting excited about the whole thing will term out. Our vision for the piece is to get as many people from the local community involved, whether by acting, making props, singing, chaperoning or making/ serving refreshments. This isn’t a performance by the church for the church as we remember what Jesus did on the cross and the events leading up to it. But this is a performance for the whole community by the community.

Baz Kershaw writes  “community plays are a community-forming process. Thus theatre is created through community.”

This is exactly what we hope to achieve. Drawing out the skills and passions of the people of Wokingham and coming together to create this memorable passion play! We have brownies, schools, dance groups and choirs involved and hope there will be more! There is still a lot more work to be done and most importantly a Jesus and Judas to find! But it’s all rather exciting!!!

hello lovlies!

Loads of really exciting things are happening with Stage-fright/ drama/ Church/ life in general at the moment. Most excitedly I’ve decided that I’m going to become a regular blogger… so keep your eyes peeled….!!

On Weds I went on a jolly to see Mother Courage and her Children by Brecht at the national theatre. It was Stunning! After many hours of reading, studdying and writing about Brecht, it was amazing to see one of his plays performed. The overtly brechtian style of the performance, was joyous and kept me gripped. I loved the way in that the whole performance was ’see through’ as you walked into the auditorium the stage was still being set, and the way in which throughout the performance you were able to see the crew added to the Brectian style of him wanting make sure that you knew you were watching a show, and therefore detached yourself in somewhat from the action on stage. Fiona Shaw was incredible, as was Sophie Stone who played Katrin. The music was written and played by Duke Special. As someone who had never heard his music before i was blown away, and was brought to tears by one of his songs about Jesus’ death. Its on for quite a bit longer and if you could see it go go go!!

Today is the start of my new adventure! After leaving university in May, I have begun my new job working for a drama company called Stage Fright who are based in Wokingham near Reading. The position is as an intern, helping to lead after school drama clubs in primary schools as well as the two existing clubs for an older age group.

I am super excited about this, as not only do I completely beleive that this is where God wants me to be at this stage in my life, but it’s exactly the area that I want to learn more about and be a part of. Drama is in my opinion such an amazing tool, and therefore feel blessed and privileged that i have a job that gets to explore how it can be used in the community!!

So… this blog will now be my opportunity to share with you guys how I’m getting on, and more importantly what I’m learning!

Here’s a video i made for a girls weekend i was a leader at a couple of months ago. I thought i would share it with you all and encourage to you be who you are, who God made you to be and stop pretending to be something you’re not. Although the video was originally made for girls, there are truths in it for you guys! You to are beautiful and made by God! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWRxqSZCtQQ

In my Small Group we have been looking at Philippians recently and it’s really inspired me! Paul has such an obvious love for his brothers and sister in Christ. Even when he is in prison he is thanking God and praising God for them. He’s hundreds of miles away from them but they are still on his heart and daily he is lifting them to the Lord. This has really challenged me. God has blessed me with so many awesome friends who are doing his work all over the country and also in different parts of the world, but if I’m honest it is rare that I really sit down and pray for them. ‘Them’ includes a lot of you guys who are reading this…sorry I don’t pray for you more, I really want to and will start doing so. If there is anything specific that you want prayer for at the moment please let me know and I will commit to praying for you!

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Hello beautiful people whom I haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time!

I want to pass on something very important thing that I’ve learnt this week… ALWAYS back up your work! On Saturday night beautiful computer decided that she no longer wanted to speak to my hard drive and therefore stopped working, taking with her my 3000 word essay which I had just finished. It was a very sad time!!!

But in all things God works for good. It was as of he was saying to me, now Hayley look at me and we will get through this, I’m bigger than all the academic stuff you have on right now! So I’ve looked to God, got an extension on my essay and living in the library! Fun times!

I wasn’t really prepared for the enormous slog of 3rd year its actually mental! But God is reminding me to look at him and if I do I know everything is going to be ok!!

O and Happy Lent!! I’ve given up Facebook…apart from 15 mintues on a Sunday and buying lunch when I could just go home and eat!

Lots of love

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