THE HUMBLE VILLAGE HALL
Mick Strobel as Aubrey. Lamplaugh Village Hall.
I am currently on tour with an enchanting show called In Praise of Elephants produced by Farnham Maltings, and specifically created to be performed in village halls. It is my first experience of village hall touring, and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of each audience and respective community we visit. Theatre comes alive in this environment, and is for me this is working with theatre in it’s purest form. Down to earth, intimate storytelling.
Get in- Thursley Village Hall
Get in- Whitby Hall
I was not expecting to appreciate just how much the space gives to the show, almost as if it plays a character. We performed in a black box theatre space last week and it felt rather alien..
And it is more than the physical space, but it’s ownership by the community as well. Each night we set up and feel a strong sense of entering their space, along with the privilege and responsibility this entails. It is also quite unique performing for a crowd who all know each other already (not just because they work in theatre!) and will share tonights experience together.
I love that village halls are already a functional place of gathering, of shared ownership.
Castle Carrock Village Hall
I don’t think I know of anything quite like it in Australia. To my limited knowledge of rural touring it is often only regional arts centres or theatres that program professional arts events.
I also admire the Farnham Maltings building for this similar reason. That whilst creating good quality theatre and supporting resident theatre companies, they also support local arts and crafts and the space is always buzzing with a hive of community activities from ballet classes, rock choir and matinee films. It is a hub for social interaction and sustainable business model. For me, this is what theatre should be.