Community
“Chat over a cuppa” with Rachel Webber and Alan Hooks of Moonshot Performance Company
We choose to go to the Moon... and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. President John F. Kennedy
Some people don’t want to stay grounded or keep it real and when Rachel Webber and Alan Hooks started their performance company, they knew it would be a moon shot but went ahead anyway. Every event is a step into the unknown, from securing rights to wondering if anyone will turn up to watch, and the product only appearing in the very moment of performance and then vanishing away with the final fade. Yet escapism and creativity, a sense of goal and community, make performance events matter. Moonshot Performance Company is intended to strengthen the presence of the arts in the heart of the Fens with a particular interest in providing a sense of occasion and a chance to socialise – something a little different to catch up with your friends at. It’s more than a show. Rachel and Alan met in the cast of Cabaret in 1990 and both now have considerable expertise to draw upon. Alan having studied at NORCAT and with more than 30 years’ performance experience and ten years as chairman for an amateur drama group. Rachel gained a degree in dance and drama, has lectured at the world-renowned London Studio Centre, taught drama and dance and performed and choreographed extensively, directing her first play, Cinderella, while at primary school. 38
D I S C O V E R I N G
March
Their first event as Moonshot, Last Tango in March by David Tristram, successfully merged a welcoming, social environment with a quality production – and raised a decent amount for the Macmillan charity too. Their current projectile sees them hurtling towards The Doctor in Wonderland by Don Zolidis in July with the strangely familiar Dr What and companion Cara adventuring in the realm of the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter and the rest, trying to get their phone booth fixed before they lose their heads! Alan and Rachel are also writing an original play that draws upon World War Two, intended to be staged in November with respect to the VE Day 75th anniversary and Remembrance Day. They intend to keep creating performance events with a sense of occasion and bring creative opportunities to adults and contribute to community and charity. To find out more, contact them, become involved, or if you just want to parade, look for Moonshot Performance Company on Facebook, visit www.moonshotperformance.simplesite.com or seek them out at an upcoming event… they would love to hear from you!
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