Cornucopia Theatre Company presents its fifth site-specific, community-inspired Shakespeare Production, ‘Pericles’ at Glamis Adventure Playground, Tower Hamlets. Inter-cultural, innovative and inspired, ‘Pericles’ is set in mythical lands with dance and music inspired by the rich colourful culture of India. A diverse ensemble of professional actors and local youngsters work together in this most adventurous playground to bring this epic tale of discovery to life. Cornucopia’s inter-cultural production has a cast that reflects the themes highlighted in ‘Pericles’ with Najma Akhtar singing the narration Cornucopia invites audiences of all ages and cultures, families, local residents, tourists, old and new theatre-goers to join us on this odyssey. Cornucopia Theatre is running inclusive acting and carnival art workshops to maximise community involvement from all the diverse backgrounds in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Come and support great art and Glamis Adventure Playground.

What we'll deliver:

• Create opportunities in the arts for local people
• Offer creative workshops for young people and their faamilies
• Give free performances and workshops in the heart of the community
• Lead inclusive skills development events for all sectors
• Bring community cohesiveness through cultural diversity
• Celebrate artistic achievements with the diverse community of Tower Hamlets and beyond

Why it's a great idea:

Having built up a reputation for producing exciting and popular Shakespeare productions, the lesser known play ‘Pericles’ was chosen for it’s comic spectacle, deeply touching scenes of family reunion and scenes of nautical adventure resonating with the seafaring heritage of Cable Street and the departure from the nearby Thames shorefront. Cornucopia Theatre company are experts in bringing together Shakespeare’s text and physical theatre to produce innovative and site-specific theatre. Glamis Adventure playground is a highly suitable performance space for Pericles where we feature ensemble-based work and roles suitable to participants and audiences from a diversity of cultural backgrounds and experience of theatre. We have a unique take on the play setting Gower’s verse to music based on the musical traditions of the singer/narrator Najma Akhtar plus various musical influences flavoured by the different transposed locations chosen by the director.

Steps to get it done:

• Providing training and work experience to young people
• Multi-cultural, celebratory art works
• Free performances
• Inclusive participation as performers, makers and audience
• Fund-raising and awareness of Glamis Adventure Playground

A diversity of needs, age groups and backgrounds to thrive through project participation as actors, makers, technical assistants and General supporters. This production engages with many of the young people who use our project, many of whom rarely or never have the opportunity to engage in a cultural activity of this type, as well as using the skills and talents of older members of the local community. The project is not just about telling a story but about opening up new horizons for a highly urban community, that suffers from high levels of financial deprivation, high population density, and a significant degree of cultural and ethnic division. Using the Adventure Playground as a central hub for this project will ensure that all members of the community will have the opportunity to take part, as our user profile covers every part of the local community.