THE LIFE AND SOUL @ STUDIO 2 . . . . . FOCUS ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE Greater Shantallow Community Arts were delighted to welcome Richard Galloway performing Chris O’Connor’s new play ‘The Life and Soul’ at the Wee Theatre today (Thursday) where a number of local secondary schools, colleges, community groups and individuals were given an in-depth view of Jim’s story. The Red Ladder Theatre Company production played to a full house at Studio 2. The half hour piece focuses on how depression cuts down thousands of men and women who take their own lives every year and locally important when one considers suicides in the North since the Good Friday Agreement surpass the total number killed during 'The Troubles!' For this reason, we at Studio 2 felt it important to bring 'The Life and Soul' to the local community. ‘The Life and Soul’ is an energizing change although on first showing Jack the Lad and self-proclaimed character Jim (Ballymena-born Richard Galloway) seems an unlikely victim of depression as he meanders around his local pub pint in hand, cracking jokes and entertaining all around him, but he conceals a deadly secret! A powerful piece by Chris O’Connor and jagged-edged acting by Richard, who provides plenty of gags and banter as this working class Leeds United supporter is increasingly besieged by ‘dark clouds’ that threaten to drag him under. Even his fanatical love for his beloved football club that defines the young Jim begins to feel empty as his mates drift away to real life, and their refusal to talk about his problems leaves him ever more isolated. When playing darts, the repetitive ‘Chin up mate’ is their lack-lustre response and as the 'feeling down' Jim points out ‘isn’t much help!’ As one-person shows go, they mostly rely on the quality of the actor and Richard blasts his way through a gamut of emotions, ups and downs leading to this desperate young man on the verge of losing everything which unfortunately sadly ends up being the real him. The show appeared to have created a lot of talking points in the packed audience at Studio 2 and a number of questions were asked during the Q&A session which followed. St. Mary’s College Year 13 student Charlie Donnell summed up the show with her comment: ‘It felt so real. Highlights today’s society in which we all live at a million miles an hour!’ while St. Joseph’s Year 12 student Declan Dunn commented: ‘Really thought-provoking piece of theatre. I identified with it and found it ‘cutting edge’. This should be taken to all schools and maybe even aimed at a younger age group.’ Retired school teacher Harry Sharkey also commended the half hour play. ‘Issues were dealt with very well by the writer and the message was got across by the excellent acting of Richard Galloway. If it helps young people to talk about suicide with their friends then it works!’ ‘The Life and Soul’ will also be shown tomorrow night (Friday) in The Glen Bar, Dungiven and at Pilot’s Row Community Centre.

WHEELBARROW APPEAL! Guys, any builders/gardeners out there with a few old wheelbarrows they are due to replace/dump? Our Goodselves at Studio 2 need 3/4 old Wheelbarrows for an event we have coming up in the next weeks and would be only too delighted to take these off your hands. We can also get them picked up so just phone Conor or Jim or JT at Studio 2 on 02871 358750 and let us know. Thank you kindly APPRECIATE A SHARE PLEASE!!!

'THE LIFE AND SOUL' @ STUDIO 2! Presented by Red Ladder Theatre Company, written by Chris O'Connor and performed by Richard Galloway Studio 2 - THIS THURSDAY, 2.00pm (Wee Theatre) 'Jim's always had this feeling that he doesn't quite fit into the world, that there's something wrong. Jim's never told his story to anyone before, but tonight he's gonna tell you. . . . TICKETS LIMITED BUT WE STILL HAVE SOME SEATS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE AT STUDIO 2! To secure tickets, just contact us at 02871 358750

Todays Classes @ Studio2 My First Dance with Irena age 3-5yrs 3:30pm, Acrobatics with Leigh age 5-8yrs @ 3:30pm, age 9+@ 4:30pm Limited spaces available in these classes if anyone wants to join just PM us or phone Studio2 on 028 71358750. See You All Then

NOTE: Ollie Green, Arts Director, GSCA/Studio 2 has been asked to speak at 'The Big Arts Debate' at Stormont on Monday next, Feb. 19 in an event highlighting the contribution of the arts to life in Northern Ireland with a particular focus on government priorities such as the economy, health and wellbeing, society and education. . . . . .Here's his thoughts on why the proposed Cuts to the Arts should be opposed by everyone! What's Lies Beneath The Real Value of Community Arts ‘Studio 2 may be called a Community Arts Centre, but it’s really a hospital for the heart!’ - Ollie Green, Arts Director To see is to believe! To witness the transformative power of the arts at first hand is to see a child of any age grow in confidence before your very eyes. It’s like a young flower receiving the warmth of the sun for the first time and watching its petals opening up, stretching and reaching out for more! To witness the inner beauty and creativity that we all possess, unleashed, unlocked and given the wings to emerge into a new light through a dance, a song, a painting or a performance, to witness a moment of realisation. That I can..... Is like seeing the cure happen! Understanding that a life has changed; that your individual uniqueness has been set free to blossom in the applause, or shine in the silence of attention, or to stand strong with the varnish of creation. To understand the real value of Community Arts is to recognise the richness of ‘that moment’ - that one moment that you will treasure all your life, that thing that no bank can ever devalue; when you see the pride in a Mammy's eye, when you felt the truth in a friend’s ‘wow!’ When you punched to air because you knew you’ve nailed it, or felt the joy as you shared in the achievement. The Arts in any form and at any level delivers that potential to inspire that moment! It is unique and different for each of us but is achievable for everyone! Since Studio 2 opened its doors we have watched as nervous parents brought their children, some excited, some apprehensive, some withdrawn, and some even full of surface confidence, placing their trust in our promise to care for their wee treasure like it was our own gold and to encourage and join in the process of polishing their wee diamond, helping each child to grow strong in confidence, become skilled in expression, to value imagination and to glow in the knowledge of how special they are. Our teachers inspire. They inspire through love, though passion for their art form, through relaying of techniques, through dedication of trying and through the wisdom of encouragement. And just like in a doctor’s waiting room each patient is an individual, is different, is special and for each child is a different cure, a cure that Arts can bring in abundance, making people feel good about themselves, giving strength and reassurance, telling people it's good to be different and unlocking their individual creativity in a way that enriches their lives and that of those around them. In a world of stresses, where austerity means less, it is easy to not take time to put a real value on what the Arts means to our society. It is easy for those with cuts to make, or agendas to be filled, to devalue the contribution that the Arts make to the health of our people! When people ask why support a Community Arts Centre in the heart of Galliagh, a community that has and continues to suffer from the highest levels of social and economic deprivation in the U.K. and Ireland, I say it's cheaper than a hospital for one! And, if as a society we don't see the value of the arts in all its guises as a major contributor to creating a healthier, happier community in which all our children, regardless of age, colour or social background, can be enriched through engagement in the arts then we are failing to recognise the most natural cure we have to offer. In asking people to support the arts in our community and to help Studio 2 to enhance and grow its services we do so because we have seen at first-hand how the Arts in all its forms can and does make a difference to people's lives. Oliver Green Arts Director Greater Shantallow Community Arts/ Studio 2 Derry

The show must go on 🤣😂😂

A night of caustic craic and great one liners. Be prepared to fall off your seat with laughter!

REVIEW: The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again 12:10 Tuesday 13th of February 2018 Hilarious new play at the Alley Theatre this week Review by Marianne Flood (Derry News) When a play opens with the lead character stumbling on stage in a pair of tights and one shoe you know you’re in for a good night. ‘The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again’ is the brand new play by Irene Melaugh who also stars as Maura, the unlucky in love heroine whose closest relationship is with her bottle of vodka. The first ‘Dumped Divorcee Support Group’ saw Maura, Rosie, Eileen start another chapter in their lives with new partners but Rosie and Eileen are now living with Maura in her two bedroom house and the situation is explosive. They are joined by their gay best friend Eugene who laments the lack of talent in the town saying ‘there isn’t even anybody who would give ye a bad thought’. Eileen has been chucked out of the convent, Rosie has left her man because he was wearing out all her clothes and Maura’s new life with big culchie husband wasn’t everything it cracked up to be. But there’s certainly no lack of craic in the play, with the one liners coming thicker and faster than an episode of Derry Girls. The recent run of the Dumped Divorcees at the Millennium Forum had the audience screaming with laughter from the minute the curtain went up. The perfect tonic to a long week at work or anyone with a Valentine’s fatigue the play sees Rosie, Eileen and Eugene start up the Divorcee Support Group again. Irene Melaugh has a great ear for dialogue and the jokes are so funny there’s barely time to catch breath your breath before the next one. Despite the group meeting in Maura’s house she has no idea her front door is about to be opened to a series of new characters including a virginal brother and sister from ‘planet no-nookie’ and a nun with more than a passing resemblance to Danny DeVito. There’s also a Presbyterian Minister with a great selections of Menary’s suits who is wide eyed at the things he sees in Maura’s front room. Cow clapped Roger-Over-And-Out reappears from Donegal looking like an over sexed Worzel Gummidge and attempts to sweep Maura off her feet. And Eileen’s ex-husband Jack has decided that even though he’s now Jacklyn, he wants Eileen back. As for Rosie, she lives in the hope that just one normal man will find his way to the group. Dream on Rosie! ‘The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again’ is one for one night only on Thursday February 15 at the Alley Theatre in Strabane. Tickets are available from Alley Theatre Box Office 02871 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com.

Reminder that todays MY FIRST DANCE classes have been cancelled. Sorry for any inconvenience caused, all other classes are running as normal.

Busy day at drama today 😃😃😃