TRINITY ARTS CENTRE 21ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

By special request, GTC participated in this town event by reviving a scene from one of their most successful shows, "Christ Mass". This modern reworking of the traditonal Nativity story, set on a building site, was written by local author Michael Hatfield, and one of its most memorable scenes was the 'Shepherds Story'. Original actors Fred Otter and Jonty Fotheringham as first and second shepherd relearned their lines and were joined by Michael Hatfield as the third shepherd, facing the devious sheep stealer Mak, played by Stephen Field. Original director Kerry Greenwood was on hand to whip the cast into shape. The short extract was met with the same gales of laughter and appreciative applause it received when first shown in 1991, when it also picked 5 awards at the Skegness Drama Festival. The play went on the the National All Winners Festival, one of only 4 from the UK selected, where it won the Adjudicators Award.

GTC actors also featured in a scene from Blue Remembered Hills, presented by Kismet Theatre Company.

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GAINSBOROUGH GHOST WALKS

This highly successful programme is a recent innovation from the Gainsborough Delvers group which includes, as well as a walk through the town centre and a stop at its famous medieval manor the Old Hall, a visit to the Old Nick Theatre. Brave participants watch as GTC members test their nerve with ghostly tales in the auditorium, then get to explore the hidden rooms below the theatre which date back to the building's former use as a courthouse and police station. Most nerve-wracking is an unlit exploration of the cells which still exist in the bowels of the Old Nick. A number of recent vigils held in the building by legitimate paranormal investigative organisations suggest visitors to GTC have a good chance of encountering a genuine spirit, since the Old Nick is rumoured to house up to 15 of them!

Further information about the Ghost Walks is available on www.ghost-trails.co.uk.

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LINCOLN SCHOOL DRAMA WEEKEND

The start of the school year also proved a spooky one for North Kesteven School in Lincoln, who were brave enough to spend the weekend on the Old Nick premises. The school's Drama Department were looking for an unusual venue in which to bond their new Year 12 A-level Drama students, and 17 of them, accompanied by 2 staff members, spent a memorable weekend workshopping and creating characters developed from improvisation and real-life graffitti which can be found in the cells downstairs. One their return to school, their work led to the creation of 2 short plays which were presented to an appreciative audience at NKS recent poetry evening. Surprisingly, given the scary surroundings, a great time was had by all and the experience has already passed into exaggerated legend in the corridors of the Lincoln school. The Drama Department expressed grateful thanks to the GTC Committee for their help in arranging the event.