Library

Hi everyone, at the moment we are in the Whiterock Library where Martin, is showing us how to access the Blog site. I have been one of the lucky ones as most of the others have been experiencing problems. Time goes so quickly when you're having fun. Must run
Maura

Jills Birthday Surprise

Jill surprised by birthday cake. Maura Rea organised the event for Jills Birthday next week.

More about the days events on the next entry,

Workshop

Following on from the play Girls and Dolls, Tinderbox held a workshop in Queens Film Theatre. Many diverse groups produced a five minute drama or reading on memories from being ten and how they have coloured our lives. Several writers groups and school drama groups provided a very constructive morning.

The drama from the young people was very polished and well produced. Some very thought provoking pieces.

The above photographs are from a session at the end of the workshop were a "graffiti wall" was produced by those taking part. The lower photograph has our leader and tutor Jill in the centre of the frame.

New Year and moving forward

Happy New Year to all who stop by. Its been ages since I have posted in this blog. its not the sort of thing I want to do alone. I need the other writers in the group to post their thoughts and writings as well. Yesterday was a great day in class with loads of positive things happening. As a result more people may come on the blog so we can get it going. I will attempt now to bring it up to date. The last posting covered the poetry reading evening in St Patricks hall in Belfast.
Maura Rea,Whos pictures are included, has kindly given permission for one of her poems to be included. The book "River of Dreams" has some very evocative poetry.

Hutu Neighbours

they mutilated my husband

so he wouldn`t come back

they threw him in the river

held face down in the water

they drown my daughters

threw them in the river

they killed my baby

threw him in the river

raped over and over

not alive not dead

they threw me in the river

but the river would not take me.

What a strong poem. I really like Mauras work. In a strange way its changed my opinion of poetry. My recollection of Poetry is school stuff that was either too long to remember , Ancient Mariner, or so off the wall I couldnt understand it. I like Maura`s work maybe because I can understand what she is saying.

Poetry Launch

Following on from the first posting The Shalom House Poetry launch tonight was very well attended. Members of other groups such as Dunlewey Centre and Whiterock attended to Support the writers and in particular our own member and friend(especially now that she is moving in such stratospheric company) Maura Rea. I am enclosing a scan of Maura`s Book and a selection of photographs of the event. Any camera shake cannot be put down to the red wine as I resisted the temptation.

Maura kindly signing copies of her book and a group of writers names to be added later.

Girls & Dolls

Lisa McGee Playwright

The group were invited to Queens Film Theatre in Belfast and treated to a production of Girls and Dolls by Lisa McGee. A superb play by Tinderbox Theatre Company. www.tinderbox.org .uk. To describe this emotional piece would be to run out of adjectives. Brilliant, superb, emotional, evocative, ......................... ad infinitum.


The play was performed by four actors who's skill made the play look effortless. Bernadette Brown, Mary Jordan, Sarah Lyle and Veronica Leer captured both the accents of Belfast and brought the characters to life.


The director Michael Duke added his expertise to mix which made for a memorable afternoon. Quickly running out of adjectives here .


I would recommend that if the opportunity presents itself do yourself a favour and go to this play.

To find out more about Tinderbox and this play contact Hanna Slattne on 028 90439313 0r at info@tinderbox.org.uk


Lisa very kindly spent some time with a few members of the group, signing our copies of the script and allowing me to take the photo above.

Thanks to all involved once again for a great Saturday afternoon.

Elephants

Enclosing a picture of my elephants. Oh and I didn't paint his toenails red. I hope to find out though. I have my suspicions!

Amir the elephant trainer.