“ARE YOU WORTHY?” (NOT A PERSONAL QUESTION – IT’S A PIECE WE PLAN TO DO)

This week most people were full of tales relating to work, be that saft customers, work related trips, enjoying stepping up in role or saving stray dogs en route to work (and then having a power cut at work).

We then discussed the piece we are offering the Shout festival – “Are You Worthy?” (previously showcased as part of our War Compendium show in 2016), and will be assigning parts and a director in the very near future.

Oh yes, and we also now have our first of a series of video projects live on YouTube! “The History Hour”, a dystopian disasterbation docu-drama can be viewed here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O59a1RI9-_A&t=681s

Axoloti!

This weeks blog started off with tips being shared regarding how to record on a mobile/iphone ie landscape and portrait etc, then as we asked “How has your week been” most’s reply was “work” but amongst that we had some buying and watching old tv shows from the 80/90’s on DVD, visiting family that they have not seen in ages, suffering from deadly mosquito bites, shopping for Axoloti’s (type of a newt/fish) and visiting Somerset.

After that we starting to discuss our involvement with Pride this year (if any) and Shout and we had a summary regarding our progress on our video performances and I’m happy to say that one such video will be available to watch on Youtube from Thursday (9/9/21) which coincidentally happens to be not just National Emergency Services Day but also a birthday for not 1 but 2 AO members. Here is a link to a trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3Qkw5M8n4&t=16s

Local characters

This week various members of the group have been having hassle at work, marrying up priestholes and safeguarding, doing First Aid training C19 style, stepping in dog do and cooking bangers’n’mash.

After discussing what levels of commitment people are able to give to forthcoming projects, we somehow segue-wayed into “Local characters”: Birmingham’s “silver man”, Rochester’s “Toy Monkey Man” and Nuneaton’s “Leather man” and Otto the bus driver style “Surfer dude”. Hey, we should write a piece about this – oh hang on, we already had Leather Man as a character in out take on Wizard of Oz a few years ago. Fun times!

Progress report on a Productive Week

Sarah J has the following to report from this weeks meeting:

“The evening started with our usual round the room ‘what have we been up to’.  Activities over the previous week included catching up with friends for drinks and fun, being way too busy and feeling hassled at work, making homemade KFC, milk shortages (apparently the cows are on strike!), spending time with family, visiting Wales and enjoying the local wildlife, a real pub quiz in a real pub(!), moving work space and attending writers group.  Oh and a meeting with Shout! to discuss our possible involvement in this year’s festival.  The rest of the evening consisted of discussion as to what our involvement might be in the festival – we have a few exciting ideas so watch this space! As well as an update as to where we are with the video productions we’ve been working on.  All in all a very productive meeting! “

Of Drama and Dogs…

Last week’s blog, from Greg:

It appeared to be a week of dramas and preparations, including interviews, understaffing and looking forward to new moves with a one of our returning newer members.

After splitting out into our rooms, we finished the recording of one of our video pieces, congratulations to our performers! This can now go to editing before we share it out for all of your waiting eyes and ears to enjoy the finished product (and then watch the blooper reel to tack a good laugh on the end.)

Meanwhile in the breakout room, the dogs were out in force, some calm, some friendly, and some causing no end of trouble. 

Progress Report

This week, the guest blog comes from Dean: “I arrived slightly late to rehearsal as usual so I sadly missed the round the room/ Zoom where we find out what everyone was up to during last week so I’m none the wiser!

There was a discussion about potential Acting Out involvement with this year’s Shout Festival addressing different themes including such fascinating subjects as the geography of the LGBT+ community I’m Birmingham! There was then a quick chat about how our current video pieces are progressing and after the few setbacks it looks as though they are about to spring into action!

Despite my lateness I was not even on the Olympic medal rostrum of the most late people as 3 members arrived towards the end. One gave us a tour of their new home, another had just introduced their mother to their pet dog and another was recovering from an injury – we of course wish all 3 members well for different reasons! So a productive and interesting evening was had by all ”

Seeking non-psychologists…and a trailer!

The meeting started with confusion this week for Alan, who was first on the scene and believed themselves to be in the wrong meeting as the next person was unknown to them.  This was because this was a new member, Su Chi, a psychologist who wants to meet people who aren’t other psychologists!

We then had a catch up, with some members having gone to or anticipating going to performances. We then discussed our own performances/video projects, some of which are nearer completion than others. We even have a trailer for one of them – possibly an AO first! https://youtu.be/Va9s-7EOJjc

Fortunately / Unfortunately

Fortunately, we were able to meet at the park this week and Sarah J ran drama games.  And I wonder if you can guess what one of those was?

Unfortunately, Chris couldn’t stop for the meeting but fortunately we ran into them (after their run!) as we left.

Unfortunately, the park was rudely interrupted by noisy, malevolent, iniquitous and down-right anti-social  scramblers.

Fortunately, George phoned 999. Unfortunately, police advised ringing 101, which we’d already tried and given upon after 10 minutes hold.  Fortunately, some CPSO’s turned up, but unfortunately (or is that fortunately?) the anti-social types had gone to wreak havoc elsewhere.

Fortunately, Dean bought wine to share.  Unfortunately, they had difficulties opening it. Fortunately, (or should that be thoughtfully?) Matt bought along a carrier bag for everyone’s empty cans, banana skins etc.

Fortunately, the game we played (“Fortunately/Unfortunately”) provided the blog-writer with an easy frame to hang the weeks events round.  Unfortunately, you don’t get a prize for guessing that that was the game.

Our Fate is in the Hands of an Anagram of a Palindome

A select few of us met on Thursday, and it turned out our weeks had involved injuries, split trousers, half marathons and inferior tech from work.

As Sajid Javid (a man who’s name sounds like an anagram of a palindrome) says we can run amuck in abandon as of 19^th, we discussed our feelings about returning to meeting in person/at the pub, and will be canvassing the group via surveymonkey sometime very soon.