In the lead up to The Berkshire Giant, there is an exciting programme of participatory activities taking place across West Berkshire, with local primary schools running entire school projects, poetry writing competitions, craft workshops and the Young Corn Exchange creating films. There are also opportunities for the local community to get involved and be part of the magic of creating this spectacular production by performing, being part of the production crew or stewarding during the events along with Giant treasure trails, flag making and other activities for families to engage with during the performance week.School Projects
A range of activities, are happening at the following schools - Hampstead Norreys School, The Willows School (Newbury), St Nicholas School (Newbury), Aldermaston Primary, Streatley Primary, The Winchcombe School (Newbury), and Theale Primary.
Giant Exhibition
17th-28th June
Corn Exchange, Newbury
The work generated during the schools project will be celebrated in an exhibition in the Corn Exchange's theatre foyer.
Giant Trail
23rd June
Starting at Corn Exchange, Newbury
On Saturday 23 June, families will have the opportunity to take part in a Giant Trail across Newbury. Pick your Giant Trail clues up from the Corn Exchange and follow John Ever Afraid to find giant things that the shopkeepers of Newbury might have to help The Giant on his journey. Return your completed list to the Corn Exchange and they will pass it on to John Ever Afraid himself as well as entering you into a prize draw to win a family ticket to London Zoo.
'There Be Giants' – Young Film Makers Project
The Corn Exchange are working in partnership with local film production and education company Real Time Video to deliver short film projects with two local youth groups - Compton Teenscene & Young Corn Exchange. Participants will script, create, film and edit their own films using materials on the Aldworth Giants myth and around the idea that there is a Giant loose in the West Berkshire landscape. Each group will receive 4 hours of training, professional supervision and editing time as well as access to professional filmmaking and editing equipment. The finished videos will be showcased on this website when they are finished.
Giant Films
19th-21st June
Corn Exchange, Newbury
In a celebration of all things Giant, Corn Exchange's cinema will be celebrating with screenings of a series of giant inspired films during The Berkshire Giant production week.
The BFG - 19th June, 6pm
The BFG - 20th June, 8.30pm
James & The Giant Peach - 21st June, 2.30pm
Flag Making Workshop
17th June
Aldworth
Come and join a drop in family workshop from 12pm with a local creative artist to make flags for John Ever Afraid to wave during the Aldworth Giant Fair parade at 2pm. One of the great opportunities to get involved on the day.
Berkshire Giants Poetry Workshops (Adults, 18 plus)
The Corn Exchange is working with performance poet, Steve Larkin, to deliver two sets of poetry workshops for adults in the local area. He will be running two open workshops at the Corn Exchange and two closed workshops with Newbury Poetry Workshop at the Quaker Meeting House in Newbury.
Workshop 1 - Steve will introduce participants to the Aldworth Giants myth, the background of story and elements of the creative ideas behind the wider Berkshire Giants project and, working through writing exercises begin, with the group, to generate some written responses based on the themes of the project.
Workshop 2 – Steve will use further writing exercises to help develop the work generated in the first workshop. The session will take the form of a poetry surgery to assist the writers in getting their poetry to work in the way they had hoped by tailoring the work he does with each participant and to support them in the style of writing they would like to work in.
Competition – Participants from the open and closed workshops will be able to enter any work generated into the Berkshire Giants Writing Competition. Steve Larkin will be reading for the competition and selected winners will have their work broadcast and/or printed in local media outlets. It is possible, depending on the nature of the work generated, that some of the poetry may find its way into the final performances.
Open Workshops – Corn Exchange Balcony Bar on Sunday 13th May and Sunday 27th May at 11.30 – 1.30pm. Free to book, just call the Corn Exchange Box Office on 01635 522733.