SOMETHING FOR ME
ROYAL EXCHANGE MANCHESTER, OCTOBER 2024
Devised Show, created with ExEl Theatre Company members.
ExEL is an independent company formed by graduates of the Royal Exchange Elders Programme.
This was the first full devised show, which was presented as part of Elders Fest, ten year celebration of the Royal Exchange Elders Programme.
The show featured original compositions by Bill Connor (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales).
It was a real honour to be asked by ExEl to create their first devised show with them.
We started with the theme of TENacity – marking ten years of the Elders Programme – and quickly found that they didn’t want to make something purely reflective or nostalgic. I suggested a fictional story: a group of older amateur actors trying to put on a play about Donald Campbell, the world speed-record breaker, who died trying to break his own record. Scenes from his life collided with scenes from rehearsals – full of arguments, dilemmas and a love story.
I was especially proud that, although the piece was rooted in the company’s experiences, it wasn’t autobiographical. So much community theatre work leans on personal testimony – which can be incredibly valuable – but with this project, I wanted to give participants the chance to have fun being someone else.
-
Written & Directed by Joe Gilmour, with Company
Music by Bill Connor
Produced by ExEl Theatre Company with support from Royal Exchange and 53two.