I'M HAVING SEX

Do we really understand the words that are being said?....

This is what I've been questioning having come away from the performance on Saturday night. 

We've been entertained; had smooth poetic words tickle our ears, while we nod our heads in agreement to what we've just heard, and we laugh at the jokes shared throughout the story. Yet, do we really hear? Do we really understand what has been said and done, right in front of our eyes? 

"I'm having sex”. 

We hear it all the time… The gossip we share of, so and so who's done such and such; the silly girl; she’s pregnant; the shame of it all. 

The skeletons in our closets. no one knows whats going on behind closed doors. The lack of love, a misguided quest for love... where is the love? - this sounds too much like a tv soap drama, but the reality is, it's not! 

"I'm having sex”.

There's too many people caught up in this three worded web. Or shall I say, too many young people. Because truth be told the ages of teenagers involved has dropped, is dropping and seems like it will continue to drop. 

The performance from these incredibly talented actors highlighted key issues within our family relationships and pressures from the outside world. The irony of the intellectual language and age of someone so young, who is wrapped up in something only associated with 'adults' is so well portrayed in this drama. Each character makes you question what you would do in that situation and how you would feel.  It sure is food for thought.

We walk around as if we have it all together, as if we know what's right, but when someone asks for help.... Can we offer any helpful or practical advice?

Is it due to the miseducation of our young people? Or is it that we all have the right to do what we want, there's no limits, I understand it so therefore I can do it?

From the 'hooded Poet' questioning religion, to the mother who desires her husband but gives him a hard time; this play will have you put their lives into perspective. Not only is it informative, direct and current, but it truly captures you with its smartly used witty approach to such a serious and real topic.

Written by Shamira Scott. FCP Blogger.

I'm Having Sex a play written and directed by Jermaine Wong

The Experience of And There Was War

The anxiety was intense, I clicked on the email from Natasha Vaughan and bit into my bottom lip,  I read the Subject line which said 'Congratulations'  I could barely read the content of the email which explained I had been successful and have a part in the theatre production 'And There Was War'. In that moment I felt as though stars, bunnies and fireworks had been released into the sky above and I was soaring alongside them.  

I honestly hadn't expected that outcome, what a moment, still filled with excitement my mind quickly flashed back to the audition process. 

I turned up about 30 minutes late that day, already a bad start. As well as traffic; my lateness was equally due to do apprehension and my lack of confidence. As I walked into the hall, I saw a fairly large group of individuals sat in a circle playing a warm up game. I immediately challenged my negative self-talk and acknowledged that even though I was feeling fearful, I was going to give it my best shot anyway. I found an empty chair and jumped straight into the game “The great wind blows for all who…” The game continued and I found myself up on my feet swapping seats and making confessions.  

After brief introductions and still sat in a circle we were put into pairs and given on the spot scenarios conjured up by the group. Mine was that I was a pregnant woman on an aeroplane having contractions whilst sitting beside a man having a panic attack due to his fear of flying!

The rehearsals that followed were challenging, insightful and filled with fun and reflective moments. Each session began with a biblical reflection based on a character from the bible. Jermaine would then link this into the challenges that we might have to face throughout the process. We would then pray and begin our warm up sessions. I recall one particular warm up where we were standing in a circle and we all had to put our hands in the middle and then hold onto someone else's hand. All our hands were interlinked and muddled up, we had to find a way of unravelling ourselves without breaking the chain of hands and form a full circle. Initially, it was exciting and fun, we were completely entangled and struggled to find a way out. I desperately wanted to give up but a fabulous object lesson was learnt that day. We did eventually work through the struggle, we pulled together as a team and those that were feeling discouraged were quickly encouraged by the positivity of others. We all cheered in great triumph and exaltation when we finally accomplished our goal almost an hour later. It was a moment of appeasing satisfaction and a lesson in persistence, team work and determination.  That warm up really set the presidency for me as to what might lie ahead.  

My experience in And There Was War was one of growth, unity, confidence building, love, faith and spirituality. We faced many struggles as a team, family bereavement, fatigue, challenges with lines and scenes, personal struggles, family issues and so much more. But what kept us together, what kept me going was knowing that we were doing a potentially life changing work for our heavenly Father. We were sharing a message of truth that we hoped to change lives and provide answers for the many questions people have about the condition of the world today.  

Being a part of And There Was War is one of my greatest experiences ever. I worked alongside a supportive, hilarious, creative and loving cast.  

Following the recent auditions in May 2016, And There Was War UK tour begins in November. Keep posted for further information as you really don't want to miss out on this one.  

Serena Pascall

FCP Writer/Blogger