Introduction
Seven Stars are Northumberland's Learning Disabled Theatre Company. Formed in 1997, the Stars devise and perform their own work, supported by Headway Arts who produce & direct their shows.
The Stars work together as a company four days each week, building their performance skills as actors, social skills as people and creativity as artists - as well as 'having a lot of fun'. They aim to take their creative work and culture to wider audiences and to broaden their touring circuit.
Seven Stars like to perform in traditional theatre venues such as Caedmon Hall, Custom's House, Theatre Royal and Alnwick Playhouse. Tours also include community venues such as the region's community centres, adult training centres and colleges. The Stars have begun to tour internationally having transnational links with Denmark, Lithuania, France, Belgium & Malta. Some of the group have been involved in the Opening Doors project.
Their work has been showcased at local & national & international festivals and includes comedy, comedia dell arte, drama, devising and adaptations of popular stories and tales. The themes do not always necessarily reflect Seven Stars' experiences as people who are disabled; their work comments on what interests them as artists and actors. This can be both fantastic and everyday, both complexly scripted and non verbal. Influences include silent movies, old films, science fiction and fantasy.
A Christmas Carol
Seven Stars are currently working with Headway Arts on their own version of A Christmas Carol. The show will be available to venues, community centres and schools from 5th December 2011.
There is no charge for the show but we welcome a donation towards travel costs.
A 15 minute preview of the show will be performed at the International Day of Disabled People on the evening of 15th December at the Sage Gateshead.
As well as private performances, the show will be performed at The Alnwick Garden on Sunday 11th December, and Headway Arts' AGM on 19th December at 5pm. Contact us for details if you'd like to attend.
The cast list is available on Seven Stars' blog, and the PDF version of the flyer is available here.
Starlight
Starlight is the title of Seven Stars' monthly newsletter which was first published in July 2011.
Click the links below to view/download Starlight:
There is no October edition as the Stars are too busy rehearsing!
How to Join
Seven Stars meet four days a week, Monday to Thursday, 10am till 3pm.
Follow these steps:
1. Phone or email Chris Bowman at Headway Arts to arrange an informal meeting at our office, where you’ll find out everything you want to know about becoming a Star.
2. Have a chat with your Care Manager about joining Seven Stars to make sure there is funding available (£30.24 per day).
3. Arrange a "Taster Day" where you will come along and be part of the group for a day (or a few days) to see if you’d like to join.
4. Once we’ve all signed a few documents and funding is in place, you are officially a member of Seven Stars.
Recent Shows
- Arthur's Leeks
A sequel to "Arthur's Story". Performed during summer 2010.
- Robin Hood, Snow White & The Seven Stars
A mash up of two classics performed in venues around Christmas 2010.
- The Brain
An ensemble performance as a collective brain tackling all manner of challenges. 2008 and ongoing.
- Come On Down
Headway Arts' Annual International Festival of Creativity for Learning Disabled Performers. Read more about it here.
- A Midsummer Nights Dream
A magical reinterpretation of the classic set in a 60's North East using puppetry & mask. 2008 & ongoing. Available for booking now link to pdf
- Rachen Cotey
An interpretation of a Borders country Cinderella story using storytelling, physical theatre & narration 2008
- Arthur's Story
A devised seasonal drama for Christmas 2007
- On the Bridge
A commissioned drama for young people in transition to adult life. INPACT family support 2007
- It's A Wonderful Life
A new imagining of the James Stewart classic done in black & white using drama & shadow puppetry. Touring Production 2006. Back by popular demand for Christmas 2009
- Come On Down
Headway's Regional Festival of Creativity for Learning Disabled Performers 2006
- Ten Minute Tales
Devised in celebration of ten years of Headway Arts - 2005
- If You Go Down to the Woods
Devised Pantomime 2005
- Come On Down
Headway's Festival of Creativity for Learning Disabled Performers 2005
- Keep Your Chin Up Hinny
Traditional Geordie Musical Hall Review 2005
- Twelfth Night
Shakespearean Drama 2004
- Trouble With Folk
Touring Sketch Show 2002/3
- Wheel To Paradise
devised touring production 2001
- The Richest Man in the World
devised touring production for Acta Festival, Bristol 2000
- The Treasured Book of Life
1998
- Dream Navigators
inaugural tour of devised show 1997
Stars Trek
Seven Stars do an annual sponsored walk from Seaton Sluice to Blyth in order to raise funds to buy new equipment & take their shows on tour.
This year Stars Trek took part on Thursday 28th July, following the usual route.
Contact us to sponsor the Stars, or text your donation as follows:
Text STAR27 and the amount you'd like to donate to 70070.
e.g. STAR27 £5 to 70070.
Every penny donated goes to Seven Stars.
Add Gift Aid to your donation by following the instructions you will receive by return text.
Donating to Seven Stars
More than 600 million Christmas cards are sent each year in the UK. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year, consider donating the money you'd usually spend on cards and postage to Seven Stars.
You can donate to the Seven Stars at any time.
There are several ways to donate:
1. Make cheques payable to Headstrong Productions T/A Headway Arts.
2. Bring cash to our office at 21 Quay Road, Blyth, NE24 2AS
3. Donate by text: STAR27 £5 to 70070
4. Donate online via PayPal with your credit/debit card
Please also Gift Aid it to give more!
You can download our Gift Aid declaration form to complete and return to us.
(Contact us for more info.)
Over the past 9 years other work has included a bi yearly touring theatre show, devised workshops, commissions and performances for partners & other organisations for events such as conferences and AGM's. Their work has been described as 'heartwarming and hilarious' and is supported Northern Rock Foundation.
‘I love acting even in my lunch break ’Ian Picking, Seven Stars
Kindly supported by Northern Rock Foundation
