A big Thank You to everyone who came to support our Family Fun Day on Saturday 3rd July. Together we raised over £ 750.00 to support the Phoenix!
The sun shone down on the first ever “Phoenix Family Fun Day” and a great day was had by all! The kids (and many adults) were kept entertained by Face Painting, Temporary Tattooing, Wizzy Wand Making and even throwing wet sponges at the Director's daughter locked in the stocks!
We had a great selection of stalls selling arts and crafts supplies, jewellery, second hand books, vintage clothing, doggy bandanas, delicious home made cakes and plenty of other tempting wares.
The tombola went down a treat, with plenty of people brandishing prizes adorned with little coloured stickers and for 10p you could test your nerve on the “Buzzer Games” with the steady of hand winning a prize.
There was Candy Floss, Hot Dogs, Burgers, Bacon Butties and Ice Cream with Real Ale available to wash it all down with.
We had performances from The Liss Band, The Phoenix Community Choir and Funk Junk drumming from Bordon Beat with the final performance of the day being a fantastic production of “Uplifting” by Alan Moorhouse performed by The Atre Company.
Sophia Egerton 6/7/10
£10,000 received to support the Phoenix
The Phoenix has received £10,000 towards core costs for the current financial year. The grant has been awarded by the Garfield Weston Foundation, who support charities who work with disadvantaged people. The money comes at a time when the Phoenix is struggling to continue activities with funding cuts due to the recession and is a real lifeline.
Jane Dawes 21.05.10
Update - Save The Phoenix
Negotiations are currently taking place with Defence Estates and we are hopeful of a resolution soon.
The Phoenix has existed as a community Theatre and Arts Centre since 1982, when it was taken over as a community facility as the MoD had no further use for it.
The Barbados House Association was formed as a charity in 1982 and renovated the former Army school into a Theatre and Arts Centre to provide arts for people of all ages and abilities in the community. The Association was allowed to pay a peppercorn rent to cover administration costs. Alternatively, the MOD would have demolished the building.
As we all know, Bordon has long been a neglected and deprived area with very few facilities. The Phoenix is one of the few facilities, benefiting not only the local community but also that of neighbouring towns and villages, drawing people in to contribute to the local economy.
Not only do we have substantial funding cuts for the forthcoming financial year, but we have also been informed that when our lease is renewed in 2011, it will be at full commercial rates i.e. thousands instead of hundreds. If this is the case, The Phoenix cannot be sustained in its present format and would have to close.
The possibility of new facilities if and when Bordon becomes an Eco Town is long into the future. The Phoenix needs help NOW!
How can you help?
1. Write to your local councils – East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council and Whitehill Town Council
2. Lobby your M.P. Damian Hinds - new Conservative MP
Phoenix continues to run successful Professional Theatre Course in 2010/11
The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre, a thriving centre for professional theatre, will continue the successful Diploma course in Acting at its base in Station Road, Bordon.
The Phoenix Acting Diploma is a one year part time course providing professional training for people over 18 years of age who are interested in developing their stage craft skills and working towards quality performance. It is ideal for those who may be considering going to full time Drama College and entering the world of professional theatre or for amateur drama enthusiasts who would like to make the transition to the professional stage. The aim of the course is to give an intensive training in stagecraft and technique with emphasis on movement and voice production.
Courses will run weekly on Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. over three ten week terms, commencing in September 2010 and will be run by professional actor and drama teacher, Simon Downing. In addition, master classes will also be run by visiting professionals in stage combat, mask work, singing and dance.
Simon says “We aim to offer practical training, where too great an emphasis on theory is often failing to prepare actors for the challenges of the stage. Young actors are not as well equipped as they were 20 years ago, particularly for classical stage work.”
Phoenix students will learn traditional theatre styles and techniques; improve their acting and creative movement skills; learn vocal techniques; improve background knowledge of backstage and technical theatre work, stage fighting skills and mask work and produce a quality public performance.
Entry is by application and audition.
For further information contact Jane Dawes, Director, Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre 01420 472664 or Email: info@phoenixarts.co.uk
