We are excited to announce the launch of Calling Barnsley, a unique collaborative project that brings together the creativity of Barnsley College students and the voices of the vibrant Barnsley community. This ambitious project has transformed a classic phonebox into a dynamic storytelling space, offering a captivating glimpse into the heart of Barnsley through 30 powerful monologues that reflect the rich and diverse stories of the town. The launch event will offer attendees a first look at this inspiring installation, alongside live readings of the monologues and opportunities to meet the talented creators behind the project.
Event Details:
Time: 6:30pm doors open, 7:30-9pm
Date: 16th January 2025
Location: Barnsley Civic Foyer, Eldon St, Barnsley S70 2JL
About the launch:
The launch of Calling Barnsley gives a first look at the Phonebox Installation, home to 30 monologues that represent the voices and experiences of Barnsley residents from all walks of life. Experience live performance as actors bring the monologues to life and meet the students from Barnsley College who contributed to the project.
For more information, or to RSVP for the launch event, please contact Camille Koosyial ( camille@lungtheatre.co.uk)
Community Engagement:
Saturday Workshops: LUNG is proud to be offering free creative workshops at Barnsley Civic. With drop in arts, crafts and writing activities there is something for something for everyone. Bring the family, try something new and let’s get creative!
Running time: Drop in
Dates: Every Saturday in January and March
Time: 11am-4pm
LUNG will also be partnership with The Salvation Army in Goldthorpe and Feels Like Home in Barnsley Town to create a piece of art that speaks to the themes of ‘Calling Barnsley’
Comments:
Students have actively been involved in casting and directing the professional actors performing the monologues. The students and Performing Arts team at Barnsley College have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating and this partnership has been an enriching experience, and we deeply appreciate the opportunities it has provided. – Paul Atkins, Performing Arts Course Leader at Barnsley College
Calling Barnsley incapsulates the spirit of our Storying Barnsley programme. This project with LUNG highlights the voice of young people across the borough in a truly co-created body of work. It has been a privilege to get to know the young people, who have been so passionate about how they see their hometown of Barnsley. – Liane Holdsworth and Coby Walsh, Barnsley Council’s Cultural Development Fund ‘Storying Barnsley’ Team.
We want everyone in Barnsley to be able to enjoy memorable cultural experiences, and Calling Barnsley certainly fits the bill. This ingenious project brings together fascinating tales straight from the mouths of Barnsley people through an innovative hotline to the heart of our communities. – Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, Cllr Robin Franklin
Barnsley Civic is incredibly excited and privileged to host the Calling Barnsley Phone Box and Exhibition in our newly refurbished frontage at the heart of Barnsley town centre. This partnership is an excellent opportunity for us to enable members of our community to access culture first-hand and share their stories in a meaningful way. – Joel Brogan, Head of Programming at Barnsley Civic
About LUNG
Founded in Barnsley in 2014, LUNG is a campaign led arts charity, working UK wide to make hidden voices heard. Based in Yorkshire, we are Creative Associates with the National Theatre and partners with The Lowry in Salford. Our plays are published by Faber & Faber and studied on the AQA GCSE Drama Syllabus. Our productions have reached audiences of 81,000 people, our education programme has engaged 17,000 young people, and 3.8 million people have tuned into BBC Radio 4 broadcasts of our work.
About Storying Barnsley
Barnsley Council’s Storying Barnsley programme aims to boost Barnsley’s cultural and creative sectors through partnerships and offer unique cultural experiences for people living and visiting the town. Through a co-produced and collaborative engagement programme, Barnsley Council is offering vital support for local creative hubs and creative practitioners across Barnsley’s six Principal Towns and Elsecar. Storying Barnsley is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England through Barnsley’s Cultural Development Fund. Find out more at https://www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley.
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