ARTSBy Ilona of LOCHABER Munro Lawson
Oh no we can’t! Oh yes we can! You might know I was one of Eden Court’s Drama Outreach workers. The success of this outreach team - apart from the fact each job was full time, properly paid, well-managed and rooted in community was the ‘can do’ attitude that helped the project become a creative light in the Highlands for 22 years. Saying ‘yes’ to whatever organisation approached us, we were always up for partnership working. Drama is a great tool to explore, educate
22
and entertain. Working with the police and the NHS was a delight. Struggling with school refusers who, erm, didn’t turn up, was an eye opener as was working with biodiversity enthusiasts. I once spent two days portraying the anguish of a persecuted slug. ‘Can do’ led to my busiest December: seven primary Nativities, two high school Christmas shows, one Ballachulish panto and a Partridge in a.. no wait and one Aladdin with the adults from the Angus Centre. I guess I was younger and marginally fitter. But what does this tell us? That Christmas isn’t Christmas without a show? Covid is a time of ‘Can don’t?’ But we ‘can do’. We must do. We must allow children to take centre stage in their own living room. We must engage
our ingenuity. We must get out and entertain each other. ‘You are full of talent. You have the power to spread joy. Don’t let Covid steal your bravery and sense of fun. Sing a carol at a window, decorate a tree in your village, tell a ghost story online. If you get in touch with me, I will get costume to you and you can be the maker of your own festive tale. Keep an eye on Facebook where Dramafish shares all the arts information from around Lochaber and the UK.
| DECember 2020
Lochaber Life December 2020.indd 22
10/11/2020 15:06:18
