Wigan arts group hails success of virtual project

Healthy Arts wanted to create something for local culture enthusiasts who were missing being creative due to the severe restrictions the novel coronavirus has placed on the sector.

The organisation brought together local writers and members of the amateur theatre scene for online sessions allowing people to make new friends and connections while brushing up their penmanship and performance skills.

In total, 18 short films have been created and these will be released on social media throughout April, with the full film made available at the end of the month.

One participant, John Naughton, said: “I was delighted to be part of this project as, like most people involved in theatre, I was missing enormously the camaraderie, the discipline of having to learn lines and of portraying a character.”

The writers were coached by Julie McKiernan while Healthy Arts founder and boss Martin Green helped the 21 performers record the best-possible performances of the monologues and works for two actors.

The local writers involved are Elaine Garner, Tony Topping, Marilyn Payne, Janet Critchley, Kate Pashley, Keith Williams, Joan Patrick, Barbara Roberts, Maria Byrne, Jan Porteus, Scott Davenport, Helen Lloyd, Sammy Holden, Erica Dawn, Shaun Fallows, Kelly Cassidy, Sharon Godiff Pulido and Dave Withington.

The performers of the works are Erica Dawn, Emma Appleton, Susan Rigby, Julia Walsh, Lisa Jane Aldred, Peter Hall, Sheila Hinds, John Naughton, Stacey Vernon, Lucy Gregory, Kevin Shirley, Maria Lowe, Colette Davies-Kerwin, John Dudley, Andrew Holt, Hannah Roughton, June Dowd, Shaun Fallows, Megan Price, Loraine Knockton and Linda Davies.

The films are available to view by searching for the HealthyArts Wigan&Leigh channel on YouTube.

For more information visit www.healthyarts.org.uk

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