2 0 2 1 A N N U A L A C T I N G U P - Herts Inclusive Theatre

ACTING UPANNUAL

2021

Welcome to Acting Up’s Annual for 2021!

2020 and the start of 2021 is most certainly a time that we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

There have been so many ups and downs and changes that we have all had to adapt to.

Overall, most of have stayed focused and made the most of a very difficult time.

Thank goodness that here at Herts Inclusive Theatre we managed to transfer most of our weekly and holiday workshops online and we have produced some great work together.

Acting Up were keen to document their experience over lockdown so far and suggested making an annual.

So we would like to present this special Covid 19 edition that we have created together. Enjoy!

Contents:

Personal Profiles

Interviews with Members of the Community & Watford Football Players

Film reviews

Poems by Watford Children & Youth Theatre

Games & Puzzles

Photo’s of Lockdown Fun

Name Alexandra WhiteAge 39

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I really enjoy singing. Through lockdown I sang Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman and I learnt how to put sign language to the chorusHow I felt during Lockdown I felt scared through lockdown but I got through it by connecting with people through Zoom. I chatted with people, did some dance classes and I took part in the HIT Musical The Show MustGo Online. This made me feel happy as I was taking part in something and I could focus on a performance. I learnt new acting and singing skills.Interesting Fact about MyselfI was in Eastenders and I met Pat ButcherFavourite Drama GameFour Corners

Personal Profile

We'd like you to get to know some of the members in Acting Up a little more so here's some fun fact about them....

Name Alex DunsonAge 26

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I did lots of singing through lockdown, I really like Shawn Mendes. I’m also really good at art so I drew lots of superhero characters over lockdownHow I felt during Lockdown I felt sad and scared when lockdown had started and I didn’t know what was going on. It was a little hard not seeing my whole family.Interesting Fact about Myself I can lift a really heavy weight 8kg’s and I am at a very high level on a Spiderman computer gameFavourite Drama Game4 CornersSplat

Name Matthew SnellAge 49

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I Wrote a story & took photos when I went out for walks. I lost 3 stone in weight.I recorded a song with my choir it’s called Gin & TonicHow I felt during Lockdown I felt a bit strange at first because I didn’t know what was going on. I moved in with my brother and he taught me how to cook, I lost 3 stone in weight. I walked for an hour aday and found that this helped me take my mind off things and I listened to music. This also helped. Alexa, my new friend also helped me by saying positive things through the speaker throughout the day.Interesting Fact about MyselfI am a volunteer at the London Dungeons. Every year at halloween I dress up as a zombie and scare people.Favourite Drama GameAnyone Who? I like it because you find things out about people

Name Gemma FletcherAge 27

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I practised singing my favourite song Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked. I also spent my time doing lots of colouring in.How I felt during Lockdown Weird. Tried to help others understand what was going on and that we are all going through the same thing.Interesting Fact about MyselfI can balance a teaspoon on my nose. I have also visited the BBC Television StudiosFavourite Drama GameI like playing ‘What are you doing’. I like this game because of the way people do the actions and what people say it really makes me laugh

Name Rik-StarAge 30

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I decorated lots of my own t-shirts throughout the lockdown. My favourite was the one I did for the NHS, it had a big rainbow on the front. I also baked lots of cakes and shared them with my neighboursHow I felt during Lockdown I was sad during lockdown as I missed Acting Up andall my friends at HIT.I enjoyed making cakes for my neighbours and I did loads of other stuff for the community.I made art stuff and decorated my front garden and sang for my neighbours, this helped me feel more happy and gave me something to focus on Interesting Fact about MyselfI am Watford Football Club's biggest fan. I am alsovery good at accents, especially Boris Johnson Favourite Drama Game4 Corners

Name Nick Brown Age 35

What I got up to through Covid 19 LockdownI Played Guitar, I like playing country music. I practise so I can play at my mum’s and friends house at Christmas time.How I felt during Lockdown I don’t have much to say about how I felt. I saw my Mum online but not many other people Interesting Fact about MyselfI like playing pranks on all my friendsFavourite Drama GameI like them all

Name Zara LittleAge 30

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I watched lots of films and I watched my favourite film The Lion KIng. It has my favourite actor in it Beyonce, she plays the character Nala.How I felt during Lockdown I felt a bit weird. I don't like wearing masks. I got to go to Tesco, that made me feel a bit better but mainly uncomfortable when I left the house. But no I’m feeling ok now.Interesting Fact about MyselfI was born in Norfolk, that’s where my dad lives. I visit him sometimes, I can’t remember the last time I saw him. My sister lives there as well. When I go there I watch TV and go for walks.Favourite Drama GameMusical chairs, because I like moving around

Name Saskia Herdman Age 29

What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown Singing, drama, storytelling, walks -How I felt during Lockdown Happy as got to see lots of people on zoom, in my garden and got to spend lots of time with my MumInteresting Fact about MyselfOne Christmas I helped Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall decorate her Christmas Tree at Clarence HouseFavourite Drama GameAnything where we have to pull a funny face

Interviews with Members of the Community

We wanted to find out how other members of the community coped

with lockdown so we approached a policeman, doctor, musican & a person that works at a theatre to ask..

SERGEANT DANIEL AMOSSOUTH OXHEY POLICE

Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic?I have spent the majority of the time working during the initial lockdown and then managing theresponse in my police role to ensure public safety. Not a lot changed for myself as I could not work from home, but it was strange at first wearing face masks and keeping a safe distance from others. It was a concerning time but the seeing the general publics’ overwhelming support for the public services made the whole experience a lot easier to get through.

Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?I am most proud of the achievement of my team and the challenges they faced during CV19 and howimpressively well they kept a positive response to policing the Government’s strategic response.

Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?COVID19 IS OVER!!!!!!!!!

Question 4 -Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to thetheatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most?My wife and I love attending London to watch the Theatre and we cannot wait to book a hotel, lovelydinner and see a show.

Question 5 - Do you have a party trick or secret talent?Sadly not, I try and play golf but that is about it

ALISON LIMERICKSINGER

Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic?It’s been surreal. With almost all my live work cancelled I’ve been at home trying to stay sane (not sure I am succeeding) !

Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?To quote Stephen Sondheim ‘I’m still here’ . . . oh and I manage to squeak out a single with my Jazz project, Algorisms, right before the first lockdown started. The last band gig I did was the only live promotion we managed to do for its release. Not the best timing LOL.

Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?“ COVID-19 Defeated, lookout climate change, you’re next!”

Question 4 - Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to thetheatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most?All of them! Ballet and contemporary dance, classical music and modern plays. Musicals, youth theatreand everything in between. I love going to the theatre, whether to see lavish, big budget productions orthose smaller independent, experimental shows that run for only a few weeks (or even days). So manyof my friends have had their productions cancelled, with no end in sight to the misery, it breaks my heart.

Question 5- Do you have a party trick or secret talent?No tricks but I love a good party.

Beth Baker,Box Office Assistant at Harrow Arts Centre

Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic?For the first time in years Harrow Arts Centre (HAC) has been quiet…it’s very strange working from home and not seeing the ‘regulars’ every day! Still, somehow the Team at HAC feels closer than ever and we have developed in a lot of positive ways. Fingers crossed there will be manynew & innovative ideas coming into fruition very soon!

Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?For HAC as a whole, we are extremely proud to say we have powered through this strange year. In thisunprecedented time when many are struggling, we pledged to support both our communities and theartists we work with, many of whom have had their livelihoods snatched from them. We are thereforevery proud to have commissioned group of artists, art companies and creatives of all disciplines tocreate new pieces of work for our brand new #HACFromHome 2020 seasons. These seasons compriseof a mixture of online performances, workshops and other socially distanced events.

Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?Coronavirus Eradicated: The Shows WILL Go on!

Question 4 - Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to thetheatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most?Personally, I miss performing & welcoming others to performances. All of us at HAC can’t wait to putsmiles on people’s faces again.

Question 5 - Do you have a party trick or secret talent?Everyone at HAC has something fun they do: I sing, act & draw caricatures, others make soap, producemusic, bake and some have even formed bands!

Dr Jonny Moses

Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic? I was redeployed to work on the frontline as a doctor looking after patients with COVID-19 at Watford General Hospital. At first it was scary, I wasn’t sure if my skills would be enough to help, or if I would catch COVID-19 and pass it on to someone else like my family, but I also felt very privileged to be able to help care for people during the pandemic and work alongside so manygreat people. I was really grateful for all the hard work that everyone in the public was doing by helping to keep us safe, and the kind support that Watford FC gave us too. Although there werechallenges it was a very rewarding time for me. There’s something special about caring for others,especially in a time of need. It was also a time for personal reflection, to be grateful for all the beautifulthings I have in my life that can often be taken for granted. Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020? I met a very upset stranger on Christmas eve, they felt hopeless and had given up on life. Idid my best to listen to their problems and talk with them. They changed their mind about life, which issomething that has really resonated with me. It is definitely one of my greatest achievements. Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time? Peace in the Middle East! All countries of the world come together to tackle Climate Change!The end of inequality, poverty, famine and homelessness! Almost forgot - theend of the COVID pandemic of course… Question 4 - Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to thetheatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most? Good question!! I’ve really been missing theatre too – my adult nephews are veryinvolved in theatre and I’ve been so used to seeing their performances andproductions over the years that without it feels like something big is missing. I miss art galleries, and museum exhibitions too. Most of all I miss going to listen (and dance) to live music events! Question 5 - Do you have a party trick or secret talent? Of course, but that would be telling… ;)

William Troost-EkongWatford Football Club Player

Question 1: What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid-19 pandemic?William Troost-Ekong: I've never experienced something like this in my life, I think the main thing has been it's emphasised the important things in life and being able to spend time with my family and our loved ones. That's been massive for me. I think I have been one of the lucky ones still being able to carry on working and do what I wanted to do, which is playing football, even though we had a short break. It's made me realise just how important it is to spend time with yourfamily.

Question 2:What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?William Troost-Ekong: That would be coming to Watford. That has been the key moment for me thisyear. There have been quite a ot of lows for everyone so for me to get a move to where I wanted to gowas my best achievement.

Question 3: What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?William Troost-Ekong: Watford has made it back to the Premier League!

Question 4: What area of the arts world are you missing the most?William Troost-Ekong: I'm quite a visual person so I enjoy going to the theatre and the cinema so that's been probably the tow biggest things, two nice evenings out with the family and friends that I have missed - the social part of going to see a show or film with friends and family.

Question 5: Do you have a party trick or secret talent?William Troost-Ekong: I am very good at downing drinks!! Non-alcoholic of course!

Christian KabaseleWatford Football Club Player

Question 1: What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid-19 pandemic?Christian Kabasele: It has been tough mentally. Personally my parents and the parents of my wife are in Belgium so wehaven't seen them for a long time now. But I think I am quite lucky as wellbecause I didn't lose my job, I didn't have these kinds of difficulties so yesit has been difficult for me but I think it has been much more difficult forother people.

Question 2:What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?Christian Kabasele: Probably cooking more than usual!! Otherwise it wasn't particularly a good year for me or the club.

Question 3: What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?Christian Kabasele: 100,000 people were gathered together for the New Year fireworks in CentralLondon. That would mean we have beaten the virus

Question 4: What area of the arts world are you missing the most?Christian Kabasele: Cinema for me, I used to go several times. Now it is impossible to go, I miss that a lot because it is a nice atmosphere as well

Question 5: Do you have a party trick or secret talent?Christian Kabasele: I am getting quite good at cooking...!

Ken SemaWatford Football Club Player

Question 1: What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid-19 pandemic?Ken Sema: It has been a strange feeling of course because of it being all around the world. For me, I amstill able to come here and work, I still train, I still play games. It's more after I go home that I eat dinnerat home instead of going out to eat and go shopping andthings like that. Staying healthy, washing your hands all the time is now thenormal too of course.

Question 2:What achievement are you most proud of in 2020?Ken Sema: I've been playing a lot and I think I've done quite well so far. Now wehave to move forward as a group, as ateam because it's a big season for us and we want to play in thePremier Leaguenext season. We have to fight for it.

Question 3: What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?Ken Sema: Everything is safe, you can go out and have fun. But be awareof the world.

Question 4: What area of the arts world are you missing the most?Ken Sema: Everything is safe, you can go out and have fun. But be awareof the world!

Question 5: Do you have a party trick or secret talent?Ken Sema: I have a few!!! I can dance, I can sing - I'm quite alright you know. Not a proper singerobviously but I'mnot bad. I can do a bit of both actually!

Acting Up Film Recommendations and Reviews....

Rocky Horror Show

At Halloween I like to do spooky things and this year I went

to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show Film.The film starts

at a wedding where Janet Weis catches the brides

bouquet. She and her fiancé Brad Majors decide to get

married and set of to see Dr. Everett Scott, a professor at

their university the good news. On the way their car

breaks down in a rain storm and they go to get help from a

spooky castle. They are greeted by Riff Raf Magenta and

Columbia are invited in. They then meet Dr. Frankinfurter

who tells them to take their wet clothes of. There are a lot

of weird guests in the house including one called Eddie.Dr.

Frankinfurter had created a creature called Rocky.

Frankinfurter killed Eddie because he fancied Columbia.

Frankinfurter then married Rocky and they had a big party

for the wedding and Rocky’s birthday.There were some

great songs in the film and my favourite is Sweet

Transvestite from Transylvania.Tim Curry played

Frankinfurter, Peter Hindwood played Rocky and Richard

O’Brian who wrote the film played Riff Raff. My favourite

actor in the film was Tim Curry.I first saw the film when I

was very young and I am looking forward to seeing the

stage show wone day.I award the film 5 out of 5 for

entertainment.

Hitch My favourite part in the film was when the guy was

showing of his moves. If you were to change anything what would - I would like it

to change more fun. What was your least favourite part of the film

I liked it when the guy took all the tissue paper down ontothe floor which was funny.

Who was the best actor in the filmWill smith.

GREASEMy favourite part in the film was the final scene where Danny and Sandydanced together at the fairground.If you were to change anything what would change in the filmI would change the scene at the High School dance so Danny and Sandywon the competition.What was your least favourite part of the filmMy least favourite part in the film was when Danny denied meeting Sandyin the summer vacation to his friends.Who was the best actor in the filmThe best actor in the film was Sandy.

Please add anything else you you would like to add that you think peoplewould like to know about the film Great music and dancing, a feel goodfilm.

Poem Written By Watford Childrens Theatre

I BELIEVE

I Believe in the ancient celts, The ancient EgyptianThe tudors and the jesters, My aunt, my baby brotherAnd my tv star. I believe in my secret friendAnd my friends at schoolI believe when I'm dreaming, In a calm placeIn a spaIn my school. I believe in me.

I believe my dad because he looks after meI believe in maths because its my favourite lessonI believe in my grandad because he is a great manI believe in my brother because I can never live without him.I can believe in a field because it's calm.I can believe in the morning because it's before busy things happen.

I believe in magic,Otherwise it would be tragic,I believe in the sunshine in the morning,After all the snoring,I believe in my mum,Because she is great fun.

I believe in exploring cities with my cousin who is the person I most believe inWe both dream about these adventures when we are boredWhen I need hope I believe in fairies, santa claus and my very fluffy cat called Pegasus.We jump in puddles and laugh a lotI believe in the creativity of poet, when there is a problem that needs to be solved I read many rhymes whilst cuddling my teddy bearsI need to believe in myself when running a race I need to believe in myself whilst on stage with my theatre groupI need to believe in inclusivity & equality

I need to believe

I believe

Poem Written By Watford Youth Theatre

I Hope

I hope I get to visit Colnbrook school when this virus has been sortedI really wish i could see my grandad and also hope he is looking down on me for ever and everI hope Joe Biden doesn’t show himself up

What I hope for My GrandadWho I hope for Joe BidenHow I hope With loveWhen I hope When I I’m feeling downWhere I hope Whilst with my Dad

What I hope for To eat lots of sweetsWho I hope for My sister HannahHow I hope By believingWhen I hope When doing my school workWhere I hope Where my friends are

What I hope for Cuddles with JessWho I hope for My friend ZachHow I hope With EncouragementWhen I hope When I want to be happyWhere I hope Whilst in my garden

I hope to go on train ridesI hopes for YoutubersI hopes By ClappingI hope when I want to be happyI feel hope in my belly

I hope for to go Back to school I hopes for my friend SophieI hope when I'm dreamingI hopes when Im safe at homeI feel hope in my heart

I hope for Big SmilesI hope for My family I hope when I am happy I hope when I am I crying I feel hope in my heart

Soap Opera Quiz

1.In Emerdale which 2 names makes up the couple name Vanity?

2.In Emerdale when is Belle Dingles Birthday?

3.What is Emerdales orginal name?

4.In Coronation Street who owns the factory at the moment in 2021?

5.In Eastenders who runs the pub at the moment in 2021?

6.In Eastenders who own the pub at the moment in 2021?

1.Bombay Dreams 2.Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat

3. Jesus Christ Super Star 4.School of Rock 5. Wizard of Oz

Games and Quizes

Answers

Guess the Musical 1.Old Indian town with hopeful wishes.2.Boy with many coloured coat. 3.Christmas baby who was special. 4.Education with seaside sweet. 5.Australian magician. .

Answers

1.Vanessa and Charity 2.Christmas Day 3. Emmerdale Farm4.Sarah Platt and Carla Conner 5.sharon Dennis 6. Ian Beale

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES WE WOULDLIKE TO SEE IN A YEARS TIMES

HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE

HIT'S THE BIG TIME

BY GOING NATIONAL!!!

THEATRES AND CONCERTS

AT FULL CAPACITY!!!!

TOURIST INDUSTRYBOOMING!!!

SPORTS VENUES UP AND

RUNNING!!

LOCKDOWN FUN!!!!