A Fun Way to Learn About Bees
Anyone who wants to learn about bees, and who enjoys being part of a team while showing off their performance skills, might do well to get involved in Bee Line Community Theatre Company’s next production.
Swarm Fever is a new musical set in a beehive. It’s closely based on the fascinating life cycle of honeybees–including the way they dance. The only departure from reality (apart from the members of the cast having four limbs instead of six) is the element of romance every musical needs. The heroine is Abbie, a worker bee who wants to be a queen, and who falls in love disastrously with a drone called George.
We are currently seeking singers and cast members to join us for our 2012 tour, if you’d like to know more please click here.
Those who saw the 2004 pilot production at Theatr Mwldan will remember the lively and varied music by Peter Oram, who has an honours degree in composition and was based in Newport and St Dogmaels before moving to Germany. The sixteen-piece orchestra used the pit at Theatr Mwldan for the first time. This time there’ll be a five-piece ensemble led by Samuel on piano.
The book and lyrics are by Alex Barr, who lives near Letterston, has published two collections of poetry, and even has a Certificate of Proficiency in Apiculture from the British Bee-Keepers’ Association (as does his wife Rosemarie). He came second in this year’s Willesden Herald short story competition. He will be one of six poets featured at Fishguard Arts Society’s exhibition of paintings based on poems, ‘Imaging the Muse’, which opens at Tregwynt Mansion on July 22.
The company has child protection and equal opportunities policies. The production has financial support from the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust and Milford Haven Port Authority. Pictures from the 2004 pilot production can be seen by following the Swarm Fever link at www.fishguardartssociety.org.uk . . . but if the costumes look less than flattering, that won’t be a problem for the new production, in which the outfits will be much more chic.
Honeybees are under threat as never before, with colony collapse syndrome widespread. The Welsh Bee-Keepers’ Association considers that education about the complex checks and balances of bee life is vital, which ‘theatre can be a very engaging and entertaining way of achieving.’ The WBKA wishes Bee Line Community Theatre Company ‘every success in developing and staging this production.’