September at The SandPit

What's been going on?
A new school term began with auditions for the whole school show, ‘Vaudeville’, which celebrates 15 years of the SandPit Theatre as we showcase the very best in theatre in this cabaret extravaganza! Plans have already been drawn up and we are very excited to transform the theatre into a stunning cabaret venue with a black tie event for the final performance, even the crew are dressing up. After seeing a few of the rehearsals it’s looking to be one epic show; book you seats now so you don’t miss out!

We recently launched the Performance Support Award for students who wanted to gain a qualification in the backstage world of theatre. We had an amazing uptake and can't wait for the next few months which are sure to be a lot of fun for them.

As well as clubs and rehearsals we have hosted a multitude of events including St.Albans District Sports Awards, the ATSA keynote conference speeches and education screenings of set texts.

It's not just what we have been doing here on site though we have been out and about too.

Theatre trips:
We accompanied 32 dance students into London to see the incredible Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company at Sadlers Wells. The repetoire was beautiful and each dance was unique and different. Our favourite had to be the famous Revelations of which had the audience up on their feet!

We've also been to the previews 'Mother Courage & Her Children' written by Bertolt Brecht and performed by Contexture Theatre. The production was fantastic! Our full review will be coming out next week but if you are in the area it runs until the 1st October at the Harlow Playhouse. A great production with some brilliant musical numbers to intersect a powerful satire of war. The set was creative with the use of Heras fencing to create different locations and a fantastic looking cart. It was a great chance to see some impressive theatre and a very talented cast who not only acted but sang and performed the music live on stage.

October at The SandPit:

It doesn't slow down as the days start getting shorter here, it's all go go go! This weekend we are hosting the Semi-Finals of St.Albans got Talent and are thrilled to see so many familar faces in the line up! Next weekend is the launch of our brand new resident stage school by Pauline Quirke Academy. Then on the 15th we will see Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waites from BBC Strictly come Dancing arrive to give us all the gossip from their time on the show.

October Half Term:
We are excited to be bringing you a week of Little Diggers activities in October Half Term, kicking off with the return of Theatrix Arts and their production of The Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, a brand new puppet adventure as we follow Sinbad on his travels meeting a whale, a giant bird and an Ogre! There is also a workshop for just £1 after the show where you get to make your very own puppets to take home.

Following on from this Creative Workshops for Children will be with us with their 'Make it Spooky' Halloween inspired crafts to decorate your house ready for trick or treaters or just to scare your parents with! We also have a screening of Disney’s Zootopia (PG) where Judy Hopps becomes the first official bunny cop on the police force but when predator animals go missing she teams up with the most unlikely of animals to help her solve the case!

To finish off this fantastic week of kids activities we are playing host to Dotty The Dragon, performed by Blunderbus Theatre Company who brought you The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark, which tells the story of Dotty and her grumpy dad, Mr Dragon. The village below are terrified of dragons as dragons eat children, don’t they? Dotty would never eat children though and one day she decides to give the village a surprise visit as everyone loves surprises….

Looking to the future:
There is always lots going on here at the SandPit and we are always looking for new exciting theatre productions to bring in to the community and we are thrilled to have booked Frankenstein, by Blackeyed Theatre, a theatrical event not to be missed next year with the creature, designed by Yvonne Stone (Warhorse, His Dark Materials), a full size 6’4” puppet adding a new dimension to the retelling of the classic story. With a cast who have treaded the boards at The National Theatre, Arts Theatre and Television appearances it’s one not to be missed!

Keep your eyes peeled for more information on up and coming events. For a full listing please see out website www.sandpittheatre.co.uk