'The Archivist' was specially written for the tenth anniversary of Play In A Week. The company was composed of 60 mixed-ability (sight/ hearing/ mobility/ learning impaired) performers, musicians, technicians and puppeteers. These people came together from the Freewheelers, Seeability and Discovery groups in Guildford, with support from the Nomad Theatre Company. Two workshop sessions were held, lead by Anita and the director Brandon McGuire. These were designed to get to know the company, their tastes and requirements. Images and music from 1998 were used to trigger memories, imagination and storytelling. A script was written incorporating as many of the ideas generated in the workshops as possible. The result was very personal to the company as it was about their own lives and experiences. The play was rehearsed in one week and staged on the Saturday and Sunday of that week, to a sell-out audience. Hence the name of the project 'Play in a Week'.
'The Archivist' is set in a shed behind the allotments where three old women archive all the lost memories. But the number of memories are increasing and they can't keep up: it is chaos. People are starting forget their pasts and remember other people's.
• Zute
• Bella
• Stella
• Mitzy
• Jasper
• The Spice Girls
• Robbie Williams
• Burger Queen waiter
• Burger Queen manager
• Burger Queen customer
• Braille teacher
• Three gypsies
• Two goat puppeteers
• Three gardeners
• Goat keeper
• Priest
• Child
• Mother
• Dead budgie
Performed 26th and 27th of July 2008 at the Nomad's Theatre Surrey.
VOICE 1 -In 1998 I went to America. I saw Las Vegas and New York. I remember the two big skyscrapers.
VOICE 2 -In 1998 I watched the World Cup on TV. I remember the crowd singing
Three Lions.
VOICE 3 -In 1998 my cat had eight kittens.
VOICE 4 -In 1998 I met my boyfriend Yves.
VOICE 3 - I remember they were so tiny.
VOICE 4 -I remember meeting his identical twin.
VOICE 1 -Two skyscrapers.
VOICE 2 -Three lions.
VOICE 3 -Eight kittens.
VOICE 4 -One twin.
ALL -I remember, I remember, I remember.
The production was not reviewed by the press, but here are some of the reactions from participants and audience members:
"I am still walking on air after our incredible evening on Saturday. The faces on all those who took part told its own story. You must be walking around with a permanent smile on your face".
"A wonderful week followed by a wonder night. Everyone must be over the moon. I am still smiling, thinking about all those incredible actors and those backstage. Also the pride and pleasure on the faces of the relatives - it will stay with me always".
Below are some of the images used in the initial workshops sources of inspiration
Cornellia Parker's 'Dark Matter' triggered a wealth of ideas at the workshops and provided the setting for the play.
