SCENE AND HEARD

I'm writing something a bit different today, but it is something that I think is very important. One of my very close family friends works for a charity called Scene and Heard, who work with children in Somers Town in Camden, many of whom come from very deprived backgrounds. Scene and Heard work with these children to help them write their own plays, which are then performed by professional actors. Scene and Heard is mostly run on a volunteer basis, with all the actors also being volunteers. 

Last night I was lucky enough to be able to see my first ever Scene and Heard show, 'Walking on Eggshells- the Sensitive Plays'. Each show is made up of mini plays written by the children, this one included 10 plays written by children aged 9-10. I can't quite remember the age at which children typically start Scene and Heard, which they are able to attend for free, but they often stay until the ages of 15-16. Each child works one-to-one with a volunteer 'Dramaturg' (as they call them), who helps the child write their play; the child has control of all aspects of their play, including the auditioning and choosing of their actors. One of my most favourtite things about Scene and Heard is the amazing creativity and imagination of the children. Favourite characters of mine from last night include Jeff the Toilet Paper, Tarty Glenson- a piece of tar from the road, and a bottle of Aloe Vera who wanted to be a doctor but couldn't, purely because you have to own a scalpel to be a doctor. 

Scene and Heard are a fantastic charity, and it's hard to do it justice without seeing it for yourself. 'Walking on Eggshells- the Sensitive Plays' are being performed until Sunday 12th July, and I encourage you all to contact the box office on 020 7388 9008 and see if you can come along and watch. Tickets are free, though audiences are encouraged to make donations if they can. Scene and Heard is so important, and I am so excited for my next show. I will link the website below.

http://www.sceneandheard.org/

Rosie