Yesterday the Alley take delivery of the new Alley Events Guide, packed full of top acts from the island of Ireland and further afield, the next season looks like a winner.
I have to admit the summer season guide has been hard work, however we have lots to look forward to. One of the major highlights of the season will be the Anne Frank Exhibition, a stunning piece of work visiting Northern Ireland for the first time. Not only is the Alley presenting the NI launch, but we are also hosting it a full 2-3 months before it even hits Belfast, a major coup for the Alley and the North West. If you want to have a look at the exhibition click here.
If you love comedy, then one gig coming to the Alley not to miss will be the Jason Byrne gig. Last time I saw him perform I had a cracking night, in fact the next morning my ribs ached from all the laughing I had done the night before.
Looking back over the Springtime and the events we have held at the Alley, a major highpoint must be the 9 days of drama in the Strabane Drama Festival. Every performance offered something fantastic and all the local press offered great coverage running up to the festival and post-festival reviews. Raymond McCarron was the official photographer for the festival and I have to admit we got some fantastic shots over the nine days. If you belong to Facebook, check out the Alley Facebook page and the images from the festival. Simply click here.
Once again, the Alley is always hectic and I am still wondering when we might be able to take the foot of the peddle and ease up...but the shows keep coming, the exhibitions keep rolling and I am still excited to see what the next 6 months will bring!
Saturday 10 April 2010
Thursday 1 April 2010
The Anne Frank (+You} Exhibition set to come to the Alley!
Really looking forward to working on this....................
The Alley set to host Northern Ireland
launch of the new Anne Frank Exhibition.
Strabane’s Alley Theatre is set to host the Northern Ireland launch of the award winning Anne Frank (+You} exhibition this May. This groundbreaking exhibition will have its official Northern Ireland launch at the Alley, which organisers say will be supported by a number of workshops and performances for people across Northern Ireland to engage in.
Famous around the world, this poignant exhibition is anticipated to draw in visitors and groups from across the island of Ireland, keen to understand more about the legacy left by Anne Frank and showing the relevance in today’s society of views she expressed in her celebrated diary. At the heart of the exhibition, entitled Anne Frank (+ You} is a life-size replica of her bedroom in the secret annexe above her father's business premises in Amsterdam. This small space is where the Frank family, and four other Jews, spent more than two years in hiding before being betrayed to the Nazis in the summer of 1944.
Visitors will experience the room where Anne confided in her diary about her hopes, ambitions and perceptions about conflict and the human condition. To reach the “secret annexe” room in the exhibition, visitors must first pass through a multi-media display which explores the themes that dominated her life and a tunnel on the Holocaust and genocides around the world. Themes of Identity, Prejudice and Racism, Conflict and Peace, Moral Responsibility, and Freedom and Democracy are all addressed on giant exhibition panels which carry significant excerpts from Anne's diary, along with examples of present day issues in picture and print, whilst televisual displays of teenagers of today discussing the issues in a 21st century context can also be viewed.
The exhibition was developed and is run by the Anne Frank Trust UK, who worked alongside its sister organisation the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, and an award winning creative team, to create a unique and challenging experience for young people that will interest and motivate them. Strabane District Council and the Peace III Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North West Peace III Cluster Group are funding the exhibition, which will see thousands tour the exhibition whilst its runs at the Alley Theatre between May 10th - May 29th.
“The story of Anne Frank not only reminds us about what has happened in the past, but also what is happening in society today. This exhibition will be an ideal way to inform our community about the need to stand together and support those in society who need our help and support, whilst protecting their human rights. Anne’s short life shows us what can happen when hatred and extremism goes unchallenged, we therefore intend to challenge and stimulate discussion within our community about what are the best ways forward in offering everyone an equal place in society today” stated Kieran McGuire, Chairman of Strabane District Council.
“The Trust promotes positive attitudes in young people towards differences particularly in age, gender, ethnicity, religion and disability, and encourages people to reject all forms of bigotry. The Trust’s Executive Director Gillian Walnes explained: “The intention of Anne Frank [+ You} is that visitors, particularly youngsters aged 11 to 17, will be able to relate the horrors that befell victims of the Holocaust to the world around them, and recognise the need to challenge injustice and to contribute to a society built on mutual respect and moral courage to prevent such things happening again. This is an exhibition unlike any other that is touring Northern Ireland and will be a major talking point.”
“Over three million people have taken part in Anne Frank Projects in the UK and we are delighted that Strabane District Council and the North West community can share the clear message of peace and tolerance that Anne Frank left to the world over 65 years ago this year” stated Philip Faithful, Chief Executive of Strabane District Council. “Her legacy has not only taught us about the horrors of the Holocaust, but can also serve as an inspiration to young people, making them strive to make a difference in their own lives by becoming more active citizens.”
Richard Collins, a leading Northern Ireland Holocaust expert commented “The Anne Frank (+You} Exhibition” offers visitors the inspiration to break down personal and community suspicions and mistrust, and instead open the hand of friendship across the barriers. Young people in schools, community groups, colleges and so many other places are being inspired by Anne’s story, urged to look beyond our own small ambitions and to create a greater vision which will benefit all of humanity.”
Ms Walnes from the Anne Frank Trust UK concluded she was particularly pleased the exhibition is being launched in Strabane’s prestigious Alley Theatre and Art Gallery, “To have such a visually exciting multimedia display in this stunning venue is going to be terrific for us and the North West of Ireland.” For further information on the forthcoming exhibition visit www.alley-theatre.com or contact the Alley Box Office on 028 7138 4444.
The Alley set to host Northern Ireland
launch of the new Anne Frank Exhibition.
Strabane’s Alley Theatre is set to host the Northern Ireland launch of the award winning Anne Frank (+You} exhibition this May. This groundbreaking exhibition will have its official Northern Ireland launch at the Alley, which organisers say will be supported by a number of workshops and performances for people across Northern Ireland to engage in.
Famous around the world, this poignant exhibition is anticipated to draw in visitors and groups from across the island of Ireland, keen to understand more about the legacy left by Anne Frank and showing the relevance in today’s society of views she expressed in her celebrated diary. At the heart of the exhibition, entitled Anne Frank (+ You} is a life-size replica of her bedroom in the secret annexe above her father's business premises in Amsterdam. This small space is where the Frank family, and four other Jews, spent more than two years in hiding before being betrayed to the Nazis in the summer of 1944.
Visitors will experience the room where Anne confided in her diary about her hopes, ambitions and perceptions about conflict and the human condition. To reach the “secret annexe” room in the exhibition, visitors must first pass through a multi-media display which explores the themes that dominated her life and a tunnel on the Holocaust and genocides around the world. Themes of Identity, Prejudice and Racism, Conflict and Peace, Moral Responsibility, and Freedom and Democracy are all addressed on giant exhibition panels which carry significant excerpts from Anne's diary, along with examples of present day issues in picture and print, whilst televisual displays of teenagers of today discussing the issues in a 21st century context can also be viewed.
The exhibition was developed and is run by the Anne Frank Trust UK, who worked alongside its sister organisation the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, and an award winning creative team, to create a unique and challenging experience for young people that will interest and motivate them. Strabane District Council and the Peace III Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North West Peace III Cluster Group are funding the exhibition, which will see thousands tour the exhibition whilst its runs at the Alley Theatre between May 10th - May 29th.
“The story of Anne Frank not only reminds us about what has happened in the past, but also what is happening in society today. This exhibition will be an ideal way to inform our community about the need to stand together and support those in society who need our help and support, whilst protecting their human rights. Anne’s short life shows us what can happen when hatred and extremism goes unchallenged, we therefore intend to challenge and stimulate discussion within our community about what are the best ways forward in offering everyone an equal place in society today” stated Kieran McGuire, Chairman of Strabane District Council.
“The Trust promotes positive attitudes in young people towards differences particularly in age, gender, ethnicity, religion and disability, and encourages people to reject all forms of bigotry. The Trust’s Executive Director Gillian Walnes explained: “The intention of Anne Frank [+ You} is that visitors, particularly youngsters aged 11 to 17, will be able to relate the horrors that befell victims of the Holocaust to the world around them, and recognise the need to challenge injustice and to contribute to a society built on mutual respect and moral courage to prevent such things happening again. This is an exhibition unlike any other that is touring Northern Ireland and will be a major talking point.”
“Over three million people have taken part in Anne Frank Projects in the UK and we are delighted that Strabane District Council and the North West community can share the clear message of peace and tolerance that Anne Frank left to the world over 65 years ago this year” stated Philip Faithful, Chief Executive of Strabane District Council. “Her legacy has not only taught us about the horrors of the Holocaust, but can also serve as an inspiration to young people, making them strive to make a difference in their own lives by becoming more active citizens.”
Richard Collins, a leading Northern Ireland Holocaust expert commented “The Anne Frank (+You} Exhibition” offers visitors the inspiration to break down personal and community suspicions and mistrust, and instead open the hand of friendship across the barriers. Young people in schools, community groups, colleges and so many other places are being inspired by Anne’s story, urged to look beyond our own small ambitions and to create a greater vision which will benefit all of humanity.”
Ms Walnes from the Anne Frank Trust UK concluded she was particularly pleased the exhibition is being launched in Strabane’s prestigious Alley Theatre and Art Gallery, “To have such a visually exciting multimedia display in this stunning venue is going to be terrific for us and the North West of Ireland.” For further information on the forthcoming exhibition visit www.alley-theatre.com or contact the Alley Box Office on 028 7138 4444.
Test Drive the Arts at the Alley!
It's been a hectic time at the Alley over the last few months, so sorry for not blogging away, however now I'm back...and brimming over with news, views and projects to share!
The first thing I must mention is the Alley has recently joined a new project run by Audiences NI, entitled "Test Drive The Arts!". What's it about? Well research has shown that if organisations could attract new patrons via a special guest (free) tickets, it allows them to enjoy the experience, see a new art form and wet their appetite to come back and sample another show, this time by paying for the pleasure. It is open to everyone in NI who have never been to a particular venue, meaning someone like myself could visit the Belfast Opera House or the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine. If you haven't been to the Alley, then this is a great opportunity for you, as we have offered guest tickets for Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Kila and Madam Silk....three superb shows which we feel will thrill and excite new patrons to the Alley.
I have to admit I am very excited about the project from a PR perspective and I personally hope it takes off as a sustainable project across NI. It currently works very well in America and Australia, however it has not kept the imagination in the UK. The English version of this scheme has yet to reach it targets for enabling new patrons, even though it has received a large amount of backing from celebs and arts venues.
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