CAP-MON do !

The decision to forego the Verona Cup Challenge Competition this year was made in earnest.

The golden anniversary celebrations of V 2014 being such a momentous occasion last October, that is seems fitting to wait a year , before bringing another run of challenges to the more demanding PACE stage.

The brief of “a decade of Youth-Made work” is no mean feat and so the next must surely have equal artistic weight if the Verona Cup Challenge is to last the PACE , and uphold as ever the highest standards of performance excellence in future ?

I know you will agree with me, especially if you know more personally , how much passion , commitment and effort it really takes , to lift that Cup.

There is ocuuring at present in PACE a necessary period of creative transition , and by this fact, not sufficient understanding of the creative nature of the Verona process or its historical performance significance with current PACE members.

Some thing that I believe would interfere with the true meaning of Verona, at this stage.

Existing House numbers are small and whilst this is never a bad thing – there is, on paper, an imbalance in the structure of the houses in terms of levels of performance ability

Verona needs a stronger core to guide and mentor a better cultural direction – it needs those that go this performance way to understand what has come before and what must continue. So that Verona never just turns into “ another PACE show “ .

Verona is about connecting with hitherto unknown artists , writers , composers , choreographers , statesmen , playwrights ; it is more to do with looking back at history , mythology , politics , astronomy , society as a whole for muse and inspiration.

Verona is – the finishing school of PACE – it is identity , it is an honour code of performance. It is something very rare , some thing to be treasured.

It’s like Gryffindor to Potter and Barcelona to Messi . Not easily forgotten . It is never just a show , never just a thing to do lightly, it is written in truer PACE blood.

Capulet forever

Montague till I die

All of which – dramatically speaking – needs to sort itself before the next challenge for the Cup can go ahead; something to build on now for Verona X1 as it will henceforth become known.

I know a few heartier Veronites out there in PACE land are disappointed at not being able to get stuck back into this self styled PACE work this side of 15.

It can be frustrating not to be able to exercise your right to creativity here , especially when the stage doors are more freely open to you now , based on last year’s work load and your more obvious artistic development.

But that is not enough reason to have a Verona Challenge in play.

There needs to be a wider performance context for the Capulet and Montague Houses , a better Verona scene in place , in which to frame a more challenging brief. You need to build that for us- you need to make a house to live in again.

However in the spirit of fair play , and because we know you love that competitive pull – this much , this year , we are prepared to give you as a taster of things to come …( ooo and do I have a scarier challenge idea for X1?!)

For now , I propose a pre match warm up , a friendly in game terms , a bit of team performance interaction by way of fostering those more vital House feelings we need to encourage, within the hallowed Hogwarts-styled walls of Spires !

No Cup to play for , maybe more of a Cupcake …much sweeter things to come , will doubtless be gained by each side , through this collaborative ensemble effort .

And so the CAPMON “short” is born.

Rules of the game :

A short socially-cultured mission will be given to each house
A set of guidelines drawn
A one off performance date given
A chance again – to don the white and red, and sashay !

The intention:

 to stimulate interest in the event in a broader way.

 To encourage new performers for the future

 To bring back the idea of House values

 To add creative spirit to the fundamental principle of a PACE performance

 To adopt the principles of event management and give back enthusiastically in a PACE spirited way

Select one of the above to start work on and already you have the basis of a worthier future Cup winner

Aside to this :

The artistic wrangle for House Captain is never easy.

How to choose someone who carries the passion , understanding and cultural diversity for this kind of responsibility is some thing I see naturally by action , but the house sometimes neglects to follow , when choosing its eventual leader

To this effect I will select a CAPMON creation team – a joint body of artful bodies who will work together to mount this short performance event, while enjoying the opportunity of working more productively and actively within their respective houses

Yes you read that right – this production will be a joint venture with a shared event end , but with the separate chance to “preview a collection of Cappy/ Monty potential” for the future

Details of the short ( should you chose to accept it ) and the first tentative House meeting will wing its way via email shortly

In the meantime it is fair to say …

A catwalk , clothes , cake&coffee will here have its “CAPMON day.

Watch the PACE Scene and Space pages for more information

Verona United!
( as they now say )

Share this:

Like this:

5 Responses to CAP-MON do !

Excited to hear. Understandable to see the descision to postpone Verona until the following year, the strength in houses does appear to be varied. Undoubtably huge talent currently lies in Capulet and Montague and I think that this small event is exactly what is needed,for a trial run and hopefully for capulets and montagues to inspire others about what Verona means and inspire ourselves. Verona means a huge amount too me after being involved in losing and winning, there's nothing quite like it, the competitive edge is well above any football tournament final or derby I've ever played and will look forward to seeing it back in 2016/17!!!
Being a part of pace projects this year I've been able to see the huge change in people including myself and performance standards really take off. By the time Verona comes around I believe it could be the strongest Verona year ever as X1 takes to the stage as there's still so so much to learn, and so much to accomplish here.
It's exciting, nerve wracking, and scary. But that's never stopped me and the people I've worked with before.
To a bright future ahead for X1 whatever happens.
Josh

Last year was my first Verona. I could see the people who loved it. I could see the people who truely embodied the spirt of Verona but sadly I myself didnt feel it. It was nobodys fault by my own for making it small, for feeling "silly". The most memorable moment, my favourite moment in Pace actually, was when Eve Thomson came in to the room where we were all getting ready before we went over to the wynd. We all held hands, as you do when you are trying to create team spirit, and Eve Thomson started talking. She started talking about how she felt about Verona and though she hadn't been rehearsing with us she was part of it. She was a Capulet. She started tearing up as she explained how Verona was something big. Everyone gripped tightly together, welling up too. That was the moment I felt it. I dont know what 'it' was exactly, but it was something that made me want to win. For Eve, for Capulet. That was the last night, and I think we pulled it off. I just wanted to say that I think knowing about the past of Verona is very important. The memories and ideas that have passed through Verona are special. Though I dont know very much I wanted to share this memory because it shows the differece that inspiration makes.

I'm glad this challenge is going forward, really glad. As for creativity, I've been in touch with itwithout pace, but under a more introverted route. However, more now that ever I feel that I want to work with people who share that same creativity and passion for theatre as I do. I don't want to do what I used to crave which was work alone and work safely. I want to see that light in others too. I was disappointed when Verona was pushed back this year, of course I was. I think everyone who had been anticipating it all year had been anxiously waiting for it to come around. I agree it's for the better this way though. I personally feel that even though I'd love to dive right into it, doing a warm up and a few creative stretches won't be done in vain, it will only help higher the standard of work which we aim to achieve this year as to not leave it on an anticlimax, but rather a surpassing of what we already deemed as our limits. Eager and excited to see what will come from this, open minds and brighter eyes ahead.
Carla x

Despite doing Verona for only one year I have a great fire in my belly for it. I think postponing is perfectly needed. I would love for X1 for both cast and every member of both houses to be on the same page. Knowing what Verona is and understanding the legacy before us and how to truly understand it's importance. Having a healthy balance of competition and making not one but both shows incredible. I'm ready for this warm up if allowed the opportunity to do so.
Excited for something new and Verona X1!

Verona was one of my favourite experiences last year. It allowed me to dive into new cultural ideas and use them in my performance. The feeling I got when Montague were all together holding hands last year was the feeling of love and togetherness. It was amazing. I completely understand why Verona X1 was pushed back until March. We need 2 teams of individuals who all balance each other out and can create a magnificent performance.
I look forward to The CAPMON project and panto and will try my absolute hardest in everything that is (metaphorically) thrown my way!
Lorna