"Plase give us your imagination"

Each time Willy Russell spoke, whether to make a joke or in reference to one of his plays, the couple in front of us would nod religiously. After a while, we nodded in perfect time.

Nodding at the discovery that Blood Brothers had been toured in Japan, Australia and the UK. Nodding at the idea that “playwrights need to make mistakes” when they’re writing in order to grow.

Willy taught us that scriptwriting is a collaborative process between scriptwriter, company and audience. You need the imagination of the audience, to capture it and roll with it.

What was impressive was the different jobs that he had before he did scriptwriting, from hairdressing to teaching, showing that anything can happen if you keep going.

Throughout the question and answer session, the message from Willy was clear. Theatre and playwriting is important and that the only obligation a scriptwriter has is “not to bore”.

Willy, I agree with you.


Jack Wilkin

No disappointment with Willy

When I found out that Willy Russell was coming to talk, I jumped at the chance to meet him.. 

I left my flat in good spirits even though the dark sky threatened another bout of rain. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I couldn’t help but remember the stories friends had told me of how, when they finally met someone they looked up to while growing up, they had been disappointed. 

But I can tell you, I wasn't disappointed in Willy Russell. It was amazing to meet him and to hear talk enthusiastically about his life and career - and this included the stories behind some of his plays. He also read from Shirley Valentine, and told us how one night, when the actress playing Shirley couldn’t perform, he took the role instead.

And after the talk Willy Russell kindly signed my copy of Blood Brothers.

Kathryn Adderley

Ingenuity and generosity

Willy Russell after his talk with
Shannon Webb
Courtesy of Jack Wilkins
 

Willy Russell knows.There's a stereotype that  those who grow up in lower socio-economic circumstances don't do well in life. But this young council estate lad grew up to be a renowned playwright and composer. of past and present? Stereotypically, those who grow up on lower socially economic backgrounds do not tend to do as well in life. But Willy's working-class Lancashire background aided his exploration and creation of his award-winning plays and novels.

Willy discussed the way his love for reading and writing at school made him look like an alien to the rest of his peers. He spoke about his mother's story telling and his father's dislike of the upper classes. Willy's life experiences impacted showed us that he is a real person, and someone a person like me (from a working class background) can relate to. The audience was in awe.

Through his varied career path - as  factory worker, hairdresser, teacher, songwriter, actor, playwright, composer - Willy always thought about writing. He described how 'shit' he was at cutting hair, yet he was a perfect listener for his customers- something many of us need when having a fresh new trim. Through his varied career paths he said he had always thought about writing.

Obviously I could go on all day about how wonderful Willy was during his talk and interview, but unfortunately I have a word limit. So I will just end by summing up the man I met in these words: Willy Russell, a man of ingenuity and generosity.


Shannon Webb

Pop Up Play: a symposium

Fun, Clever, Inspirational, Innovative, Educational - and that’s just the concept. In reality, the final product is so much more.

Pop Up Play is a new piece of software that introduces a whole new easy-to-use immersive education experience whether it be mainstream education, special needs, ESL or in students' own homes.

Thanks to The Spark Arts for Children, De Montfort University and Dotlib Ltd., any child with access to a computer, projector and webcam can enter their favourite video scene. And with the use of Pop Up Play’s tracking capabilities via the use of a Window’s Kinect, that same child can also track any item/picture to their body including a full character suit. The child can choose to be a pirate, a fairy, or even a favourite toy. The only issue is keeping up with how fast the kids can think up new scenarios. Time for another arts and crafts lesson!

It was a pleasure to attend the software’s launch at DMU during the 2015 Culture Exchanges week. The symposium began with a rundown of the program's development through four separate case studies in Leicestershire schools around Leicestershire, and it had everyone’s undivided attention from the start. After a quick lunch, we were all whisked upstairs in DMU’s PACE building to see the program in action. There were a few children ready to help and they showed us adults how tablet control should be done - and what fun could be had.

Since Pop Up Play is open source software and free to download HERE. Your imagination is the only limit.

Daniel Jensen