ImagineAction - Louis Walsh Masterclass

About this event:

Combining Children's Theatre and Sport

Type of event:

Cultural Olympiad

Date:

13 March 2010

Time:

See website for details.

Place:

The Torrent Complex
9 Hillview Avenue
Donaghmore
Co Tyrone
BT70 3DL

Is event accessible:

Yes

Website:

www.beamcreativenetwork.com

Full details:

ImagineAction is a three year children's theatre and sports project, part of Northern Ireland's Legacy Trust programme Connections. Including workshops, masterclasses and annual performances culminating in a Theatre Champions Festival in 2012. On 13th March, ImagineAction's participants will be treated to a masterclass with X Factor star Louis Walsh and get to perform with Boyzone's Shane Lynch and X Factor contestant Eoghan Quigg in a once-off performance spectacular.

Review:

Francesca Canty, LOCOG Culture team

It was really good to be back at this Inspire project. Back in October 2009 I was at the launch of the ImagineAction project; today I saw how much progress has already been made. Take a look for yourself http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8570640.stm

The event was An Audience with Louis Walsh because both Louis and Shane Lynch are among the celebrity mentors of the young people participating in the programme.

BEAM Creative Network has delivered workshops and master classes for young people from local sports clubs who are new to the arts. I spoke to 2 swimmers, 2 curlers and a football player, all of whom are clearly loving being part of the programme and developing their acting, singing and dancing skills. I recommend you check them out.

The show on Saturday included a skit of a famous Saturday night talent show whereby 4 judges commented on the performances of the singers.

Presenter “Dermy” is clearly a natural comic, and “Simone” was as acerbic as you could hope for. The performers included both soloists and a girl band and I was blown away by the raw talent on show. Some very challenging song choices were made to look easy and, recognising some of the performers from the launch event back in October, I was delighted to see the increase in confidence and technique on show.

Then we had a reprise of the group’s signature dance piece inspired by sport. Perhaps the Winter Games in Vancouver were on my mind as I remain an enthusiastic champion of the NI Bobsleigh Team and their component of the show. I also enjoyed the skiing. There were synchronised swimming, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics and boxing pieces among others, all performed with increased confidence.

We’ll get some photos up in the next couple of days and I suggest you look at http://www.beamcreativenetwork.com/arts.asp to keep up to date on how the project is developing. I hear the BEAM team are getting requests from all over Northern Ireland for young people wanting to join the programme, so who knows how far this could go?

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