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| Rommi Smith (with flower basket) and the performers Photo Richard Wilcocks |
Gail Alvarez writes:
No pins dropped
here; we would have heard them
The young poets
of the 'Own Your Words' group based at Ralph Thoresby, and co-ordinated by
teacher Kate Wolstenholme, got to perform the fruits of their labours over the
past months. Original writing and truly
wonderful performances, inspired by working with poet, playwright, writer and
performance coach Rommi Smith, left a catch in your throat. Innermost thoughts, personal and revealing,
laid on the line and presented to an audience of young peers rapt with
attention. No pins dropped here; we
would have heard them. Such a privilege
to hear young people confident in their writing, able to Own Their Words.
Kate had
grounded the young people in writing original poetry; Rommi's weekly workshops
honed the words and fine-tuned the skills for delivering their writing to an
audience. Performance is key for poetry– if you don't hear even just a
couple of words you may not appreciate the message in a poem that is written to
be tightly-focused, elliptical, pithy.
And oh, how the young people repaid the care and love that Rommi and
Kate had given the group. They had
trusted, they had worked, and how they delivered. There was more than one eye a little damp at
the end.
The poets were
supported by others from Ralph Thoresby too, with songs, music and dance
interludes, as well as technical back-up.
And simply a tour de force from Rommi herself who talked of the
difference that teachers of poetry (and drama) can make, did make, to her
life. She also performed her own poem on
the value of books and libraries. No
wonder she was the first Writer in Residence at the House of Commons; no wonder
she receives so many commissions from the BBC, universities here and abroad; no
wonder she left the audience simply stunned.
Sally Bavage adds:
Thanks are due
to the Outer NW area management team, especially the local councillors for Adel
& Wharfedale, Guiseley & Rawdon, Horsforth and Otley & Yeadon,
whose grant financed the poetry workshops.
They really have made a difference.
Of course, the
final thanks must go to our poet and performers: Alex B, Alex M, Amy, Berry,
Callum, Ellie, Elsa, Emma, Emma, Izzy, Kim, Mia, Mya, Rebecca and Shannon.
Kate Wolstenholme comments:
It was an honour to work with Rommi. She is bursting with ideas and
energy and the pupils clearly benefited from the experience. The quality
of their work and performances made me and them proud. Shy and anxious
pupils worked alongside more confident ones
to create and perform wonderful performances. I teach KIm, one of the
girls in the group, and I've seen a clear improvement in her written
work and her confidence. Thanks so much for helping make this happen.
