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Sounds in a Common Wood

To start, this was certainly an enchanting performance presented to us by Wimborne Community Centre. ‘Sounds in a Common wood’ is A well-planned devised piece- with wonderful woven stories, entwined with facts and myth.
The walk begins with a soundscape that lures you in as you begin to imagine how the space was used in the past. The children playing and skipping is very nostalgic.
We are then led down a path where the Green Man bars our entrance until we are able to answer some riddles- he wards us off of leaving litter and stealing from the forest. We are then met by a group of rovers around a fire who pass on recall spooky stories to the little girls.

We then move on to some poetry and a captivating performance delivered by Alec Sutton on Mr Castleman and his vision of the railway. Equally we are haunted by a soldier, this is then entwined with a story of secret lovers that used the woodlands as their meeting place. More stories are threaded in until you are led to a clearing with a second fire. Here you are told about the plans for more housing to be built on this land and things become a little sour. Then you are led to a guitarist who sings us into a more positive frame of mind.

In summary,the plot draws on the historical use of the woodland space; a mixture of fact, fiction, music and poetry and ended on a serious note for the proposal of the destruction of the space.

A special tribute goes to Adrian Newton as the sound artist for compiling immersive soundscapes. There is beautiful use of audio that draws one in and creates great atmosphere.

The lines are wandering and at times, waning in their delivery- not a forte, though this is easily forgiven when witnessing striking tableaux and pleasant choreography. The audio element works very well with both gentle movement and the acting. The group as a whole are warm and intriguing. The use of outdoor space was very charming and the final message was well worth hearing. A wonderful blend of interaction with both nature and the actors.

The Green Man (Stewart Bullen) brings a lot of humour and adventure to the piece, and is strong in each of his roles.

The cast is diverse and inclusive, and  the performance delivered by the young girls is a strong and sweet addition.
Performances are still taking place at By theWay field, 244 Leigh road, Colehill, Wimborne BH21 2BZ
June 16, 17 at 5pm and 7.30pm.