• Bullets and Daffodils (The Wilfred Owen Story)

Proposal:-

We propose to mount a tour of studio/theatres throughout the Northwest of England. Our production entitled ‘Bullets and Daffodils (the Wilfred Owen story) is the world’s first musical drama production based on the life and work of war poet Wilfred Owen.

It features a revolutionary resetting of Owen's iconic poetry in a contemporary musical style. By freeing these graphic words from the printed page we aim to inform, educate and commemorate, whilst still entertaining a wider mainstream audience than is normally receptive to war poetry in a world climate of continuous conflict. The staging is stark and symbolic and the presentation is mixed-media (singing, acting, animation and dance). The score features exclusively licensed music from Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. The action is placed in the present, avoiding previous over used and inappropriate war imagery, leaving the words and their message centre-stage.

Those involved in the creation-

Dean Johnson, creator of the piece and founder of The Wilfred Owen Story (http://www.wilfredowenstory.com/) is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. A career spanning 30 years has taken him from the stage of the Liverpool Cavern to the Royal Albert Hall. He has recorded 18 albums and his singles have featured on the playlist of BBC Radio 2. He has worked with some of the UK's biggest artists (George Harrison, Squeeze, Wet Wet Wet, and writers of Pop Idol). A consummate live performer, highly regarded among his peers, he has toured with the likes of the Beach Boys, The Doobie Brothers, Bryan Ferry and ELO, whilst also sharing the stage with John Martyn, Bill Wyman and David Essex. He has also been involved in artist development and tour management.
http://www.deanjohnsonmusic.co.uk/biography.html

Christopher Timothy (narrator). One of the best loved and re spected actors in the country, famous for his role as James Herriot in the classic BBC series 'All Creatures Great And Small'. His recorded narration is delivered via a computer-generated animation of his image projected from a screen on stage.

Charlotte Roberts (Choreographer). Founder of Jigsaw Dance Company. Holds a Joint Honours Degree in Dance with History from Manchester Metropolitan University in Cheshire. Trained in dance disciplines such as ballet, contemporary, street and physical theatre. Facilitates workshops with disabled and non-disabled young people. Skilled community dance practitioner who has facilitated sessions in schools, youth groups and day care services. Developed and ran a flourishing dance department within an Autism-specific day service for three years with Wirral Autistic Society. Can communicate fluently in British Sign Language.

Jay McWinen (actor/singer). LIPA with a B.A (Hons) Performing Arts degree. Artistic director and founder of Torrid Star Productions. Musical director for the Liverpool Empire Community Choir. Musical Director for the Liverpool Royal Hospital Staff Choir. Resident teacher at Time Step School of Dance. Teaching Musical Theatre, voice coaching, drama and choral singing for the Liverpool Empire Theatre.

The Goal:-

Having work-shopped the project extensively in Merseyside, it is a natural step to present the show in different settings for new audiences to help gauge the overall effect of the performance and further develop its content and format, that could not be achieved in repeated local performances.
2014 is the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War I. Public and media interest will be very high. We have provisional commemorative performances pencilled in at a major North West theatre to coincide with the exact date that Britain entered the war. With critical acclaim and public demand, we hope to attract high calibre 'n name' performers for what will be a major must-see and timely event.

War poetry has long been the preserve of academics, poetry societies, and closely associated with the School Curriculum. Influenced by rock performance, 'Bullets and Daffodils' enhances the emotional resonance of the poetry without defusing Wilfred Owen's unrivalled power of expressing the physical, moral and psychological trauma of conflict. The characters are portrayed in a contemporary manner as to be representative of every soldier in every war, symbolising everyone's loss and victory. The effect on the audience is that it is war itself that is the enemy and freedom of speech and artistic expression in all its diversity is to be celebrated.

The venues included on the tour are: The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool; Citadel Studio Theatre, St Helens; Civic Arts Theatre, Accrington; The Lawrence House Studio Theatre; Blackpool Grand; North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood; Much Wenlock Poetry Festival; Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literary Festival; The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, and The Writing on the Wall Festival, Liverpool.

'Bullets and Daffodils' is a radical departure both in terms of subject and presentation and the intimate studio-style venues are more open to experimental productions and also keen to nurture these embryonic ventures. Many of the theatres have strong educational links and perceive that the project may well be compatible with their programme-linked events. Many of our target venues are funded by The Arts Council, including a string of literary-themed festivals, which have been very keen to feature our production. The theatres have been very responsive to our requests for bookings, and are excited to be involved, offering as much support and guidance to enhance the events, and where possible include extra activities around them.

What the money will do:-

The money will allow us to pay for venues, create stunning backdrops, pay musicians and actors, travel costs, insurance, printing, marketing and advertising to ensure maximum audience attendance, raise the profile of the Wilfred Owen Museum and create great video's.

What your pledge will do:-

Bring Wilfred Owen's poetry into the modern world and remind people that great beauty and poetry can come out of the most miserable environments.