As Shady Dolls is an Islington based company we feel it is important to forge relationships within our community and focus on giving young people in the local area an opportunity to access drama. Our aim is to provide a fun, safe environment where children can participate in a creative process that requires respect, collaboration and responsibility; helping to improve the participants’ literacy and practical skills at the same time. And of course as Sophie mentions- it is great for confidence-boosting:

“I like drama because it builds up your confidence and you learn from it.”

Sophie, 13, member of Shady Dolls’ Drama Club

That is why in January 2007, we offered a series of free weekly drama workshops for 7-13 year olds at the Rose Bowl Youth Club on the River Green Estate (formerly known as The Marquess Estate). The Shady Dolls’ Drama Club’s first presentation was a piece called Damilola, which they performed in front of an audience made up of friends, funders and local MP Emily Thornton. The piece was in remembrance of Damilola Taylor, an innocent victim of gang violence- a threat that the children face everyday on the estate.

Outreach Officer and Drama Workshop Leader, Polly, says:

“Like the children that attend the Rose Bowl, I too grew up on the Marquess Estate and understand that there is little on offer in terms of drama that doesn’t require either expensive membership fees and/or having to join a 7-year waiting list. I also know all too well of the dangers on the estate and The Rose Bowl provides a great place for the kids to hang out with friends after school in a safe vicinity.”

Due to the success of the first series of workshops, Shady Dolls have been offered funding from the organisers of the Rose Bowl, The Canonbury Project (part of Islington’s Youth People’s Services), to return in the Spring of 2007 and carry out a second set. We are currently devising workshops (based on body-image) for our third return to the Rose Bowl that will culminate in a theatrical performance of Shrek scheduled for January 2008.