This is the course for those who want to join an enthusiastic ensemble and put on an adaptation of a major play in a week. Through a series of initial workshops on the various acting techniques relevant to our chosen play, we will develop characters and stagecraft. We will also contribute together to the process of how a play is staged - from read-through to presentation to an audience. Responding to our overall theme for the week – POWER – artistic director Paul Burbridge and his co-tutor have chosen to work this year on Dario Fo’s comic masterpiece Accidental Death of an Anarchist. This is an extreme kind of satirical farce based on true political events in Italy in the early 1970’s - excellent material for those who fancy having a go at vivid characters and the sharp comedic skills of theatrical farce. Fo says: There is no greater equaliser than the stupidity of men (and women) – especially when those people have power. The text will be edited, genders changed, parts shared etc to come up with a short, punchy version with suitable parts for all … and it certainly shouldn’t put off those who would like to be involved but are nervous about learning lines. Performance, not memory, is the key. Casting will ensure that each SBS member has a challenging but manageable contribution to make to the final ‘showcase’.