Dreaming of a Bright Christmas
NICK PELLING
The Bright Foundation is a remarkable place. It is situated in 24 acres of beautiful land, Rodgers Farm, but it is only a few minutes out of central Hastings. It was set up last year with the aim of offering a cultural resource that schools and parents might access; something unique for the children of Hastings, regardless of background. The site has a theatre, a toy museum, dolls’ houses, replete with antique dolls, a café and a vista of ducks on the pond. It is in many ways a magical place; a perfect venue to connect with the elusive, wintry spirit of Christmas.
A PARROT FOR CHRISTMAS
This Christmas the whole building has been given the yuletide touch. There is a Christmas trail and a very unique Santa, apparently assisted by a parrot – it seems that the Hastings piratical tradition has seeped into the festive tale. But most importantly, the Foundation brings us ‘Christmas Tales From Around the World,’ performed in the delightful Barn Theatre, by the deeply charismatic Pablo McFee.
Pablo says that he wants to explore the oral tradition of storytelling to bring us old tales in new ways. He wants to examine how Christmas might be seen from different cultural perspectives, such as that of displaced people or even animals. Children are welcome to bring a toy, which may well become part of the story.
Pablo also explained that he has always had a feeling for festive drama ever since he played Joseph in his primary school nativity. He added that another key experience was a visit to Pollock’s Toy Museum in London with its beguiling puppet shows. After that, the impulse to explore the art of storytelling was indelibly printed on his imagination. In later life, he developed his talents in various theatre groups, such as the Half Moon Theatre, the L’ouverture Theatre Company and the Royal Court.
A MAN FOR THE SEASON
Pablo is also a very considerable musician; in fact, he is a man of many talents – an actor, musician, dancer and educator. He has played real-life characters as diverse as the self-destructive Shane McGowan of the Pogues and world champion boxer Sonny Liston, the latter being a role he will reprise at the Stables Theatre next year. He seems equally at home within the profoundly serious or the offbeat and lyrical. He certainly has that ability to bring things to life: children can expect a treat with his unique angle on the Christmas tales.
The Bright Foundation was set up last year by the Academy Award-winning costume designer, John Bright. He was keen to bring something to the town that might allow the children of Hastings to experience something of the magic and limelight of the performative world and he has certainly done that.
ADMIRAL BENBOW SAILS AGAIN?
The latest exciting venture of the Foundation is to give St Leonards a new arts space. They have taken over the site of the old Admiral Benbow pub near the bottom of London Road. They intend to offer a creative space for the community. At the time of writing, we are not quite sure how the old pub building will be used but it will apparently be open in the spring and we look forward to discovering more.
In the meantime, we look forward to finding new angles on familiar tales with Mr McFee.
For tickets and info go to thebrightfoundation.org.uk
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