SAVVY Theatre | Year In Review

2018/2019

A mammoth two years, with the celebration of our 10th year as an 'official' theatre company, producing three shows, in three months across three boroughs. We launched our 2018 season with a gala event where we also announced the news that we would become a resident company at the newly refurbished Fairfield Halls - and on the 12th September, we FINALLY MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOME, welcoming our ongoing groups to the SAVVY Studio and starting three NEW weekly groups too! We took part in numerous events to celebrate the re-opening of Fairfield Halls, meeting royalty and icons – Prince Edward (Earl of Wessex), Dame Judi Dench and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan - making merry mayhem as hedgehogs at the Croydon Arts Ball before hosting our own SAVVY Studio Gala Opening. It was then full steam ahead for Treasure Island (with a large inclusive cast of over 60 performers) and a waiting list for tickets. What an incredible weekend of performances it was too, and an incredible way to showcase our inclusive ethos and arts practise in our new home.

In Addition

In Spring 2019 we launched our Sketchbook Season, seven months of workshops, visits, skill development and theatre trips. We hosted masterclasses in commedia dell'arte with Russell Dean from Strangeface Theatre Company and established a new weekly ‘Fight Club’ to learn basic skills with swords and knives in preparation for the upcoming Christmas production of Treasure Island.

We shared practise with a lot of amazing companies, including Graeae, Cardboard Citizens, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre and Hijinx Theatre in Wales - and we also saw LOTS of theatre, both in London and at the Brighton and Edinburgh fringe festivals.

We secured a new board of trustees and a brand new Patron, Dr Cecily O’Neil - the godmother of applied theatre! We donned hard hats and were given a backstage tour of what would be our new home at Fairfield Halls and our partnership with Wandle Valley produced two great Christmas shows, as well as seeing all of KS2 achieve their Explorer Arts Award. Oh, and we also received a generous technical donation from the National Theatre and all of our staff and members got new SAVVY t-shirts!

The SAVVY Anniversary Gala

SAVVY celebrated its 10th Anniversary in style with a Gala event at the Braithwaite Hall, in the presence of the Worshipful Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Toni Letts OBE. In addition to launching our Summer Season, the night also brought a few surprises - with sword-fights, puppets, masks and a very special announcement ... as we surprised everyone with the news that we would become a resident company at Fairfield Halls with our own studio theatre!

Woven Stories Project

After morning workshop spent with the Refugee & Migrant Network Sutton - teaching finger knitting as part of National Refugee Week, a longer project was developed.

Working in partnership with the Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton, these interactive sessions encouraged storytelling through the art of finger knitting ... while building up the conversational English skills of the participants - a great way to explain the difference between NOT & KNOT, KNOW & NO (who know those silent K's were so tricky)!

The Grandfathers

Using The Grandfathers, by Rory Mullarky as inspiration, the SAVVY Young Company re-developed and devised a piece that explored the themes of … “what the impact National Service might have on young people today, the training, the friendships and the consequences of going to war – and wonder what the difference is between conditioning someone to fight for their country and radicalisation?”

The piece was performed at local secondary schools and the group also worked with Chichester Festival’s Youth Theatre on a shared practise visit before being featured at the SAVVY Studio Launch Event in October 2019.

Take-2 & Action Replay Showcase

A delightful afternoon with two amazing groups, showing a variety of skills from our Sketchbook Season. The group's have worked with professional puppeteers, gone 'back-to-basics' with acting and character work, explored a variety of styles from film noir, to melodrama and had great fun revisiting some favourite past work. We certainly learned a lot this year!

Cinderfella

Wandle Valley Academy, December 2019

Say hello to our Fairy Godfathers from our student/teacher panto at Wandle Valley Academy, 'Cinderfella'!

You might be wondering - who is Cinderfella?! Cinderfella is a young man desperate to audition for the King's new show - the W Factor! Unfortunately, his Wicked Stepfather and Stepbrothers tore up his invitation and forced him to do more chores. This lovely Christmas pantomime was created and performed by the students of Wandle Valley Academy to an invited audience of friends and family.

The Ruby & the Sandwich

The world’s largest ruby is on display at the London Museum. News of a plot to steal the ruby means extra tight security - and who better than, the world’s best security guard. But being on guard 24 hours a day means bringing supplies - including the world’s best sandwich! However, a sinister criminal mastermind is determined to have the ruby and has sent his most notorious spies to the London Museum. Not only do they steal the ruby, but they also steal - the sandwich! Will the museum get its ruby back - and more importantly, will the security guard get his sandwich back?

This original piece was devised and performed by pupils (and staff) from Wandle Valley School to a specially invited audience, December 2018.