Tameside theatre company, 2 Boards & A Passion, have been awarded a £500 community grant as part of Stalybridge’s Town of Culture celebrations.
The grant will enable the company to put on two full days of performances for children and their families in Stalybridge. Fitting into the “slow art” category of the grant fund, the fun, exciting and super interactive performances are aimed at early years children.
Two Boards & A Passion will perform “Time to Play” and “Beside The Sea” in a soon-to-be-confirmed Stalybridge public venue. The plays have been written for children ages 2 to 4 - and their parents - but “Time To Play” has also been enjoyed by babies and toddlers, and by slightly older children.
Both plays feature Mavis and Malcolm, somewhat quirky grandparents who encourage the audience to join in with singing and actions throughout. In “Time To Play”, Malcolm helps Mavis to rediscover her lost sense of adventure, using household objects to play and recreate well-known nursery rhymes. It features live instruments, silliness and a bit of juggling! “Beside The Sea” takes Mavis and Malcolm on a day trip to the beach where the day doesn’t go as smoothly as planned due to Malcolm’s unwillingness to read the bus timetable, signpost and ice cream menu, causing problems and giggles along the way. This play includes singing, actions and even some Makaton signing.
The plays are written, produced and performed by Kathryn and Colin CGN Ward of professional theatre company 2 Boards & A Passion, based in Tameside.
The easy to watch, entertaining shows each last for 20 minutes, so 2 Boards & A Passion hope to put on several performances throughout the days to reach as many Stalybridge families as possible.
Stalybridge has been awarded the status of Greater Manchester Town of Culture in 2022, and to ensure the local community and its many schemes and initiatives are bolstered by the accolade, the community grant fund has been launched to support activities and events in the town.
The town’s community groups are now welcome to apply for a grant that could help them fund an event, initiative or project that benefits the wider community.
This funding is only available this year and all activity must take place in Stalybridge in 2022 and form part of the Town of Culture programme. Download and fill in the application form HERE. If you have any queries about the application form or application process, please email events@tameside.gov.uk
Tameside Cultural Services
Rebecca Weston