Graduation MA Drama

It is difficult to put into words the immense sense of achievement and the intense bond I felt with my fellow students, Denis Lennon and Josh Alan Trask at the University of South Wales when we graduated from our Masters Degree in Drama last week. I felt so utterly proud of the lads and then, for the first time since I can remember, I felt a warming glow deep inside and realised that I was in fact, also proud of myself.

BIG surprise! I won a prize for my Outstanding Achievement in MA Drama and will be invited to a special ceremony for 'exceptional students' next year! Strewth! I wonder if I will always float with this feeling of joy?

I have learnt so many things this year having given the whole of myself to the experience but if I had to identify the most significant, that have had the most impact on my life, it is the ability to be intensely considered, that broad is not the same as deep, and that deep provides a framework for activism and change. It is these key themes that will be at the heart of my ongoing research.

Moonlight & Silhouettes: First EVER Online Single Release

Today I have put my first ever online single for sale on Bandcamp. 

Here's the link ...

https://cherylbeer.bandcamp.com/track/moonlight-silhouettes

I'm so excited! It's completely home-made by moi! 

I am not one for selling my work. I've always had a problem with it to be honest, it sort of takes away from the joy of making and sharing music, but in this climate, t'is the Arts that gets hit first and I need to find a new, painless way of giving people the opportunity to support my work if they wish to. I am hoping this online mallarki might be it!

Having read a poetic post by fellow writer, Peter John on facebook, I was compelled to write 'Moonlight & Silhouettes' which I then recorded in my home studio with the kind engineering help of my friend Jeff Beer, I played the guitar, programmed the drums, sung the song and mixed it myself.

Pete's words placed me in the Quarters of Paris where I performed in 2011 as part of my European Tour, the long walk back every evening to the area of Paris that I could afford to stay, guided by low lamplight and the moon.

I can not believe that I actually managed to convert my recording to a WAV, which I have never done before and then upload it to Bandcamp! Honestly, I am so NOT technical! 

If I can manage this, so could you!

Anyway, I hope you like the track and if you can't afford the 99 pence on Bandcamp to download it into your world, here it is on youtube so that you don't miss out should you wish to hear it. 

Historical Thanks

One of the wonderful things about a career in The Arts is the way that my work is received by the community within which I create.

You may remember earlier this year that I did a piece of work with Louie: Postcards from Louie, a 92 year old woman living in a dementia friendly home. We wrote a book and made a story CD of her lasting memories regarding her village of Llansteffan.

Louie was one of the longest standing members of Llansteffan Historical Society and on the Sunday afternoon before her 93rd Birthday, I went to the society to talk about my work with Louie, subsequent work with people who have dementia and to sing some of the songs on the CD. 

Louie was not well enough to come so I played her talking parts on the CD  and members were visiting her later that week to wish her a Happy Birthday.

We finished the presentation with a cuppa and we all sang Penblwydd Hapus (Happy Birthday in Welsh) to Louie.

It was a very special afternoon indeed. Louie's son and daughter in law invited me for cawl (welsh soup) and I met many of Louie's friends who all loved the book and CD.

Then this week a beautiful card of Llansteffan Castle arrived and a thank you note:

Dear Cheryl

On behalf of Llansteffan History Society, I would like to thank you for your superb talk to us last Sunday. It was a moving occasion for all of us who knew Louie, a faithful member of the Society for so many years. You reminded us of her remarkable qualities, but you also added another dimension: the importance of people's memories, even when their faculties are seemingly warring. Your musical background has proved invaluable in evoking those memories, and it is wonderful to hear that the work you have done in this context is being so widely recognised and appreciated. Your talk/performance was very entertaining in addition to being enlightening, and the Society was privileged to have you on our programme.

Yours Sincerely

Eiluned Rees (Hon. Sec.)


Off course, my thanks are shared with my friend Louie, who has managed to make change from a chair at the side of her air bed.

a little Thank You goes a long way

I have just finished another Young Promoters Project for Night Out kindly funded by The Arts Council of Wales. 

I have to say there is nothing quite as joyous as forming a committee of primary school children and watching them grow into positive, fun, hard working and focussed citizens within their community.

Last night we had a theatre performance from The Silly Boys at Pen Pych Community Primary School. The children had spent 6 weeks having visits with me, supported by their outstanding Head Teacher, Miss Price & Staff team, to make the event happen.  Mrs Basset became our continuity link in the school.

Before the show, I gave them all a pep talk; 'We are a team, you have done so well, you should be really proud of yourselves, now let's enjoy it!'

'Actually,' says one of the children, ' we have something we want to give you. We think you have done really well and we appreciate all your hard work. You should be really proud of yourself.'

And they handed my a bundle of Thank you cards, one each, hand made with beautiful messages. 

'She's crying.' They all laughed. 'No, she has actually got tears.' said one of the children. And I did. I couldn't help myself, proving unquestionably that a little thank you goes a long way. 

And as if that wasn't thanks enough, The Head Teacher presented me with a bunch of flowers at the event to thank me for all my  work with the children.

Young Promoters is part of Night Out: www.nightout.org.uk