W.H. Auden Festival
In February 2022, I was comissioned by Parrobbola in association with Solihull Bid for Solihull Council as part of Solihull Culture to be Poet in Residence during the Auden festival taking place at the Solihull Library Theatre.
Along with creating my own poems, I encouraged the local public to contribute to the Poet’ree. We also had a number of sharing events giving the public an opportunity to read out their poem’s and to listen to those which had been contributed during the festival.
You Can’t Take It With You When You Die
With thanks to Parrobbola Theatre Company in association with Solihull Culture at The Core Theatre Solihull I was comissioned to create a micro preview of my show, ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Die’.
‘Representing the unheard women born and raised in Solihull who passed down the saying, ‘You can’t take it with you when you die’. Through a live one woman show using spoken word, poetry, a projection of old photos and beloved items passed down through generations, we discuss what we do take with us when we pass and the importance of what we leave behind. A celebration of women: a celebration of generations. A feel good show: as familiar as a warm cup of tea. Suitable for all ages.’
‘I am passionate about creating work in my hometown. I love all elements of creativity and expression and believe it is a vital necessity to promote wellbeing, celebrate culture and inspire all generations.’ – Claire Jones
To view what the audience had to say about this project, please visit my blog article https://clairejonesactor.com/2022/03/04/audience-feedback/
The River’s Story
In associated with 509 Arts for the National Trust at Hardcastle Craggs and Gibson Mill in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, I was asked by 509’s company associate – Sonya Moorhead, to produce a bespoke piece of sitespecific theatre to be part of ‘Hardcastle Ways’ a National Lottery Heritage funded project that was due to run from May 2020 and reveal the neglected narratives of the much loved 400-acre site that is Hardcastle Craggs.
From the following information I created the character, ‘The River’s Story’ and using song and humour, created a 30 minute set telling the history of the river: suitable for all ages with the help of weird and wonderful props: including a super soaker which helped on the hottest day of the year!
Screens
Alongside Paula Williamson, I co-wrote and produced the comedy pilot ‘Screens’. We were commissioned by ScreenWM to produce a teaser trailer of the pilot. Production company – Junction15 filmed and directed the production.
‘Screens’ is set in a cinema on a dilapidated retail park in Stoke-on-Trent where Paula Williamson was born and bred.
The sitcom follows the on going battle between the cinema staff, the imbalance of it’s management team and the resident troublesome gang, the ‘Ramones’.
After time spent doing whatever the hell they wish to do suddenly the Icelandic owners arrive on the scene, giving a rude awakening for the staff resulting in some needing a change of pants but are the owners who they say they are?
Does life imitate film? Or does film imitate life? One things for sure, within the crazy walls of this cinema, anything can happen!
Brides of Comedy
We were commissioned by ScreenWM to produce a teaser trailer of our sketch show ‘Brides of Comedy’. Showcasing all the wild and wonderful unique characters we had created over the years since drama school with also a heavy focus on impersonations of well known celebrities and spoofs of popular shows such as ‘Come Dine With Me’, ‘Supernanny’, ‘You Are What You Eat’ and My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’. We worked with production company Junction15 who filmed and directed the production. We went on to launch the show at a premiere at Trentham Gardens.
Claire jones 