DYNAMIC FLIGHTS - REFLECTIONS

In 2024, I was thrilled to be awarded by first professional script commission from MAYA Productions. The brief was to create the script for a new piece of theatre, using ideas and contributions from the residents of two housing projects within South Yorkshire Housing Association in Sheffield. From April 2024 over the period of a year, working in collaborations with a brilliant team of artists, performers and theatre professionals, we created the play entitled 'DYNAMIC FLIGHTS: TEE BEE DEE', the story of two friends who go on a hike, and get menaced by a disgruntled barista and an evil frog.

It was wonderful to see the ideas we made being brought to life, and to see the residents of the housing projects become inspired to create. Some of them have even started writing stories and poems themselves, and it is heartwarming to feel that we have played a part in the first steps of their creative journeies.

The play was performed at five venues in May and April 2025. Hopefully there will be scope to develop the play further in the future. But for now I feel proud and blessed to have been involved in such a special project. Here are some memories...

Photography by Gemma Thorpe.

'What a wonderful, glorious, beautiful day!'

'The shadows of winter are finally gone, and at last I can put my new sunglasses on!'

'Skibidi-dee, skibidi-doo, get out of bed, Expresso!'

'One foot, then the other, whatever the weather...'

'You mustn't whine, you'll be just fine. You need some coffee first.'

'A moment of peace...'

'Taking shelter...'

'Sing a happy song!'

'The storm!'

'Tempting shoes.'

''Sean Bean almighty! It's the Frog Lord!'

'Oh no! I'm about to be struck by lighting!'

Take a bow!'

For more details, please visit the Maya Productions website...

https://mayaproductions.co.uk/productions/dynamic-flights/

Credits:

Performers:

Luke Byeford - Kay the Barista, The Frog Lord

Isabella Hart - Dee

Linda-Ray Ndlovu - Bee

Tair Rafiq - The Supervisor (voice)

Maya Productions:

Suzanne Gorman - Director

Cara Mcaleese - Producer

Tair Rafiq - Writer

Assistant Director - Florence Gill

Designer - Kaewsanthia

Music - Dan Loops

Sound Design - Jose Guillermo Puello

Workshop artist - Nadia Emam

Minder Kaur Athwal - Assistant Producer

Nisha Lall - Choreographer

Jen Watts - Production Manager

Ada Onyekwelu - Production Administrator

Gemma Thorpe - Project Photographer