murray lachlan young Archives

Literacy and storytelling – teaching and online resources from Funnelwick Limb for KS2

Given the news we wanted to share a little more widely the FREE teaching and homeworking resources that we have available. The resources are based on both our own creative practice as well as our schools workshop programmes. They are based on the poetry of BBC6 Music Poet in Residence Murray Lachlan Young and his work with collaborators Nina Hajiyianni, Bek Palmer and MBD. The lesson plans have all been shaped by Primary Assistant Head Emily Smith. All the schemes of work are designed to fire young people’s imaginations, instill a love of language, encourage creative storytelling and to engage young people in the creative process. All the lessons are designed in line with the 2014 National Curriculum for English. All are available free of charge – but please do let us know if you use the schemes of work, and we’d love to see examples of the work that results. We are on socials at @funnelwicklimb or contact us direct at linleymatt@gmail.com or info@funnelwicklimb.com There are two schemes available – the first is connected to our current project The Chronicles of Atom and Luna and the second is connected to our first project The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps. The Chronicles of Atom and Luna Scheme What is it A 6 lesson exploration of storytelling based around task based videos. The scheme consists of seven short videos (all BSL interpreted), a teachers handbook and worksheets associated with each task. Here is an example of one of the task based …

The year in review – Funnelwick Limb.

Funnelwick Limb is the company we formed to produce the work I do with BBC 6 Music Poet in Residence Murray Lachlan Young, and invariably Artistic Director of Action Transport Theatre Nina Hajiyianni. This blog first appeared as a series of posts on the funnelwicklimb facebook pages. To find out more about our work please do sign up to our mailing list at funnelwicklimb.com New Years Eve is traditionally the time to look back at whats happened in the year just gone. Given the annus horribilis that 2020 has been its tempting to pass over and just get on with 2021 – but it felt appropriate to mark the Funnelwick Limb year – so here goes. Our year started with The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps back on the road. Rehearsals in Ipswich allowed us to rehearse in new performer Simone Lewis who was joining the company to replace Joe Allen, refresh the set and just rediscover all the joy in the show. Performances on the Main Stage at Theatre by the Lake and Oldham Library (demonstrating again what a flexible show this is) followed before lockdown hit. For the record we ‘lost gigs’ at New Wolsey, at Theatr Clwyd, at SJT in Scarborough, at the Union Club in London, at Hull Truck, at The Great Barn Festival and a much anticipated (by us at the very least) residency at The Brighton Fringe. As sad as this is many were worse hit than we were – and perhaps in 2021 …

A rant at the National….

Which is weird. I love the National, and I’m never happier than when I’m dashing into shows, meeting colleagues in the arms of its foyers or spending ridiculous amounts at the bloody brilliant book shop. I’ve read ALL the diaries (and there have been many!) and I’ve so missed not hanging out on the Southbank But some times I just can’t hold my tongue….so here goes…. One of the very few positive impacts of the Covid19 virus on the theatre industry has been a) to accelerate an audiences willingness to ‘pay’ for online performances and b) for more artists and theatre makers to think about digital iterations from the outset, and even digital first During the early days of the pandemic we were blessed with a mass of ‘free’ online material – from NT Live back catalogue to Andrew Lloyd Webbers Show Must Go On series. Elsewhere arts organisations (including the ones I work with) raided their back catalogues for work which could be made available free and on demand. But this couldn’t last for ever, and increasingly arts organisations have been railing against the mantra that online must mean free. Works like Original Theatre Company’s BirdSong (for £15 catch their Haunting of Alice Bowles) and The Barn/LBT/New Wolsey What A Carve Up have shown that audiences are and will pay for online performance. Unsurprisingly as ‘free’ dried up we’ve seen an increase of ‘paid for’ content. Right now you can catch Bristol Old Vics Swallows and Amazons for £4.50 or Leeds Playhouse …

And so The Chronicles of Atom and Luna begins…..

So here’s some good news for families and all lovers of words, maps and mythical tales. From Monday 30th November- Funnelwick Limb, BBC 6 Poet Music in Residence Murray Lachlan Young And Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll are releasing a series of magical fantasy adventure audio tales called Tales From The Forest. The story series – called – TALES FROM THE FOREST is the start of THE CHRONICLES OF ATOM & LUNA, an epic tale which brings to life the magical world of Atom and Luna across a range of live and digital forms. The story centres around 11 year old twins Atom & Luna – who are left home alone in the care of their magical child minder, Iffly Sney. But when Iffly falls terribly ill, only the twins can save him by seeking out the mysterious Old Mother Redbeard in the heart of a magical forest. It is a journey which will change their lives forever. Audio Trailer https://soundcloud.com/funnelwick-limb/the-chronicles-of-atom-luna-tales-from-the-forest-trailer Each tale is a story in its own right, and each one taking us deeper into the magical forest Atom and Luna must pass through in order to find Old Mother Redbeard. Here’s the full release list… The Chronicles of Atom and LunaChronicle One – TALES FROM THE FORESTEpisode One THE GREAT OAK – Monday 30th OctoberEpisode Two FORTUNE AND THE TREE – Friday 4th DecemberEpisode Three THE GLASS BALL – Monday 7th DecemberEpisode Four THE FOOL – Friday 11th DecemberEpisode Five THE LOVERS – Monday 14th DecemberEpisode Six THE CHILDREN …

Launching The Chronicles of Atom & Luna with Tales from the Forest

Some tweets for National Poetry Day

Its #nationalpoetryday so a perfect oppotunity to mention That @MurrayLYoung @arunghosh wonderful The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps over on @SoundCloud . Put the headphones on, grab a candle, go all gothic and enjoy https://t.co/muIYoDxrIb pic.twitter.com/9JduRWsUWA — The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps (@CrispinClumps) October 1, 2020 The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps was told through a play, a book, an audio book, a VR and tablet game! You can play the tablet game on google here – go on have a go! https://t.co/FiCB3AFLpe @MurrayLYoung @MBDtweet #NationalPoetryDay win pic.twitter.com/SucfdpkbdP — The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps (@CrispinClumps) October 1, 2020 To run alongside The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps @MurrayLYoung @MBDtweet worked with Assistant Head Emily Smith at #Brightlingsea Primary School to create some great resources for young people. Find them here https://t.co/WjCMVV3YzI #nationalpoetryday pic.twitter.com/UGEL9fkgRo — The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps (@CrispinClumps) October 1, 2020 During #Covid19 poet @MurrayLYoung has been busy making – here is his brilliant 'Shopping' with @paulhartnoll858 of @orbitalband https://t.co/pmLt28AsK9 #nationalpoetryday @poetrydayuk — The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps (@CrispinClumps) October 1, 2020 And this is @MurrayLYoung zany collaboration with #Blabbermouth ON THE SEVENTH DAY https://t.co/D0bkrDeHFm …. tea and biscuits anyone? #nationalpoetryday @PoetryDayUK — The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps (@CrispinClumps) October 1, 2020 And we are so EXCITED to say we will be announcing our new project with @MurrayLYoung @ATTtweet @easternangles @MBDtweet in just a couple of weeks. And just to warm us up for that here is Murray's LYCRA DAD https://t.co/sLaUfUTGu3 @PoetryDayUK #nationalpoetryday …

Making, making, making.

So this Monday I had cause to tweet this Actually in a production meeting at the moment – stupidly excited to be working on The Chronicles of Atom and Luna – part 1 with @MurrayLYoung @Nina_Haj @MBDtweet Bek Palmer et al. Part 1 is a digital release for Christmas, part 2 the live stuff the following year!— Matthew Linley (@MatthewLinley) August 10, 2020 That was rapidly followed by this:- Delighted to see an #EIRA-funded @CrispinClumps project with @MurrayLYoung has been featured in the @BBSRC Impact Showcase Report (p9) https://t.co/8rhPMeAfWx The project team have gone on to work with Facebook Reality Labs to study how people can use #VR to judge distance.— EIRA (@EIRA_eARC) August 10, 2020 So just as we embark on a new journey more recognition of the success – and perhaps importantly – impact of our Raddlesham Mumps project! In reality the Raddlesham Mumps team (and in particular Murray, Nina, Bek, Joe and Simone) haven’t actually stopped since Covid struck. We’d begun the creative process on our new project (thanks to Arts Council England and lottery players up and down the country) at Kirkgate Arts in Cockermouth. Then lock down happened and sent us scurrying into zoom rooms to further develop the story of the twins Atom and Luna. What happened on Monday though was a shift in gear. We went from that moment of incubation (we’ve got an idea, lets play around with it and see what happens) to now we are making a thing. The thing …

The Chronicles of Atom and Luna – a new project from Murray Lachlan Young

October 13, 2020June 25, 2020 by Matthew Linley

Client Collaborative project with Murray Lachlan Young. Being delivered by Funnelwick Limb Role – Creative Producer The Project We launched the project to the public on October 15th 2020 We’ll release the first iteration of the story as a series of story casts from 30 November 2020, more digital content will follow in Spring 2021 followed by the launch of the play and book in either Autumn 21 or Spring 22. To be the first to find out about the project sign up for the newsletter at Funnelwick Limb The Story Our heroes, Atom and Luna, (left home-alone by their mother) are saved from starvation by the arrival of the magical child-minder Iffly Sney. But Iffly falls terribly ill and only the twins can save him. They must seek out the mysterious Old Mother Red-Beard. And so begins a journey deep into the heart of the forest that will change their lives forever. The team Lead Artist – Murray Lachlan Young Director – Nina Hajiyianni Designer – Bek Palmer Digital enabler – Paul Long and MBD Ltd Music by Paul Hartnoll Development Performers – Joe Allen and Simone Lewis Co-producers – Action Transport Theatre and Eastern Angles BSL Interpretor – Kate Labno Digital Assets – Warehouse Digital

A creative challenge for the young people of Wivenhoe!

Off the Rails has just taken delivery of LOTS of rainbow coloured paper – both A2 (really big) and A3 not quite so big!) size! That’s because we want to create a new exhibition on Platform 2, so that the key workers and others having to use the trains right now have something bright and cheery to look at while they are waiting for their train.So we have a little call out for any budding artists out there who’d like to help us brighten their days with some art! The brief is simple….We’d like you to draw, paint or collage a picture that either… *Says a big thank you to our keyworkers… *Is a picture of hope for the future… *Or does both those things! We’d also love you to hide a rainbow in your picture somewhere so passengers can play “where’s the hidden rainbow” whilst they wait for their train! For info: A3 card will be displayed PORTRAIT (long edge at the sides) with 4 images per frame A2 card will be displayed LANDSCAPE (that’s short edges at the sides) with 2 images per frame If you’d like to be part of the exhibition, you can order some card by emailing me at linleymatt@gmail.com or message me via the Off the Rails facebook page! Let me know how many pieces you want and what size, and I’ll happily cycle round and drop the card off. And when you’re done you can let me know and we’ll arrange collection, and …

Raddlesham Mumps Activities for Young People

The team behind the Raddlesham Mumps are currently making their new show. And we need your help! More precisely we need your young peoples help! Here we all are in our online rehearsal room We want you to think about Old Mother Redbeard. One of the main characters in the story…but because of this lock down we cant go and find her, we cant go and see where she lives. But we do know she lives deep in the heart of the forest. So we would love you to draw us a map which takes us to her home, deep in the forest somewhere that has never been discovered. And we’d like you in your map to show us the obstacles that Luna and Atom have to overcome in getting to Old Mother Redbeard. We’d love you to draw the map in any way you like – you can use pictures or words – and the last thing we want you to do is to tell us what the truth is that the children discover when they finally get to where Old Mother Redbeard lives. Here we are again talking about some of the things we think we know about Old Mother Redbeard:- , Send your maps and drawings to funnilwicklimb@gmail.com – we cant wait to see them! You can also find some more Raddlesham Mumps themed activities over on our web pages. There are digital versions on the MBD site here https://www.mbd.limited/education and downloadable worksheets on the Raddlesham Mumps …