Directed and devised by Judy Gordon.

Second Nature is a one-hour site-specific physical theatre project created by women from the local community, conceived and directed by Judy Gordon and developed from her workshops for women in physical theatre. Second Nature has been written by the 26 south London performers, aged 24 to 72, from many culltures, and performing for the first time.

Second Nature evolved from the skills the women could already bring to the piece and those developed through improvisation and exercises in rehearsals. As the women devised and wrote the piece, they had direct understanding and input to the process of creating an art work, as they worked with professional artists such as the directors, designers, musicians and theatre staff. Second Nature is a devised, cross-discipline ensemble performance piece which involved physical theatre, movement, video, traditional song, multi-lingual text with live and recorded music and sound. Children of the performers and from the Montage Theatre Education Programme also take part, creating a truly inter-generational production.

The narrative describes the individual stories and histories of these women drawing on their memories, dreams and ambitions. Crossing time, countries and culture, a true reflection of the 'community' and its relationship to the individual becomes clear. The ensemble tell of their experiences through childhood to the present day (some spanning seven decades) which has created a humorous, touching, stark and very true portrayal of a woman's experience of life at the turn of the Millennium.

Second Nature reflects the sheer joy of performance and story-telling as the company of locally-based professionals artists and inexperienced performers work together taking us on a truly visual experience through the histories of these women.

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Director: Judy Gordon

Assistant Director: Lyn Whiston

Costume and Props: Shanti Freed

Singer: Emma Finlay

Musicians: Dave Silk - Double Bass

Sound and Video: Harry Snell and Judy Gordon

Lighting: Barbara Evergarvy

Stage Manager: Simon Osbourne

Publicity Design: David Barnett

"Breaths" Arranger: Barb Jungr

 

Ensemble Performers:

Jacey Allman, Nadine Alveranga, Sylvia Appleton, Marcia Carr, Theresa Castillo, Marilyn Charles, Monica D'Agata, Frances Fletcher, Joan Fletcher, Pat Fullerton, Dawn Heffernan, Nicky Hodges, Marie-Louise Irvine, Margaret Kennedy, Sally Kent, Pauline Mackie, Angela Morling, Valerie Palmer, Elsa Pascal, Diana Pooley, Jo Raymont, Michelle Richards, Nicola Stupples, Rachel Smith,Frances Stewart,Yvonne Watt

And all the children of the performers and from Montage Theatre classes.

With very many thanks to all who supported and helped us throughout this project: Bill and Jeanie and all the staff at the Rivoli Ballroom for all their generosity and without whose help the project would never have taken place; Rachael Mellors at the Mornington Centre; Kirstin Scott; Norman Goodman, Matthew Couper and Sandra at the Lewisham Arts Service; Hilary Renwick (Head of Arts and Entertainment, Directorate for Education and Culture); Innervision; Peter Miles; Iona McLeish; Paul at Greenprint; Second Wave and the Half Moon Theatre; Berkana Training Company; Bridgit Prentice MP and Joan Ruddock MP; Tracey Gayton at Mercury Newspapers; Alison Valé; Sarah Ainsley

Performed: 14th and 15th March 2000 at the Rivoli Ballroom, London and 17th June 2000; Lewisham People's Day, 8th July 2000, Blackheath Halls 21st July

 

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