On Tuesday, 27 May, 16 young people from 7 different schools braved the elements to participate in a fantastic all-day physical theatre/dance workshop out on the site of the old Caradon Mines.

The day, facilitated by professional dance practitioners, Samantha Dukes and Sally Robbins, was designed to explore the mining ruins where 5000 people lived and worked just over 100 years ago.  The group used photographs of what the environment looked like then and now, to explore what it must have been like to live in a self-contained community in such a small space.  The young people involved realised that mining communities had to work together in order to survive.  Everyone - regardless of age was involved.  They translated this into movement using lifts and contact work to show how members of these communities supported each other. 

The workshop culminated in a piece of promenade theatre throughout various sites in the ruins that was shared back to family and friends.   Practitioner Sam Dukes said "We were really impressed by how this group of diverse young people - who had never worked together before became such a close team.  It was a privilege to work with them and it would be great to explore other projects in the future." 

The day ended with an invitation to brainstorm new projects and be part of an exciting community performance piece about the history of mining and this environment in 2009.  Keep posted for more details!