A NEW Dartmoor play on an ecological theme, Roots, is a play created by the young people of MED Theatre?s Wild Nights-Young Company project, in partnership with English Nature and Dartmoor National Park. Roots is an imaginative new work which deals with the concept of the alien, both in the world of plants and animals, and among humans. It features wolves from Dartmoor?s past, accusations of witchcraft, a detective from the present searching for a myth, beech trees, and a girl growing up into an uncertain future. The characters? journey, ecological and at the same time psychological, visits tor, forest, cave, house, council chamber and the inner spaces of the imagination. Roots has been created by Alice Sutherland, Caz Stallion, Daisy Martinez, Daniel Rayner, Flo Wood, Heather Holcroft-Pinn, Jamie Holding, Jaye Noble, Laura Wilson, Matthew Holding, Mollie Millward-Nicholls, Nicola Oakey and Samantha Truckle. The young participants in the Wild Nights-Young Company have been given the chance to explore aspects of Dartmoor?s geological, animal and plant heritage both at Yarner National Nature Reserve and on the high moor at sites such as Brimpts near Dartmeet. The participants were introduced to the geological evolution of Dartmoor including the origin of the tors. They have also looked at life cycles and the part played by oak woodland in Dartmoor?s recent ecological history. The interaction between humans and the natural heritage is a key theme of the project ? human impact and its role in creating the semi-natural environments which characterise Dartmoor. English Nature have provided talks about the Yarner Nature Reserve on site, elaborating particulary on the role of oak woodland in Dartmoor?s ecological history. They have also faciliitated site-specific drama and video work at Yarner, providing support and advice on locations. Dartmoor National Park Authority have provided support and will help to disseminate the results of the project. MED Theatre has led the project, providing outings (through Devon Discovery and English Nature), workshops, writing supervision and support, and the necessary infrastructure and artistic input to rehearse and perform a devised play by young people. This will be followed by a community play written in collaboration with young people on issues around growing up on Dartmoor. The results will be diseminated to other National Parks. Performances of Roots take place at 7.30pm on July 22 and 23 at Moretonhampstead Parish Hall. Tickets: £5 adults (£4.50 concessions) £3.50 children. To book call 01647441356 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
