April - June 2025
Here’s a wonderful update of what we’ve been up to over the past few months at Wonder Arts
Incredible Performances
Back in April we took over Park Farm Community Centre to present The Sticky Dance by Second Hand Dance. Families shimmied their way through a world of sticky tape in this interactive dance show which audiences loved!
June saw the return of our favourite event of the year; Wonder In the Street.
This year we celebrated community as a super power, programming the day alongside The Refugee Resettlement Service for their launch of Refugee Week - you can find out more here
Young Wonders
This past term, the Young Wonders have immersed themselves in the creation of an original theatre production, "A World Once Wonderful," rooted in an environmental theme. The group dedicated much of their time to script development, exploring the narrative of a future where nature has disappeared and remnants of the past are all that remain. Through collaborative script work and rehearsals, the group were introduced to environmental issues and encouraged to imagine life in a futuristic, apocalyptic world. They experimented with different acting methods to deepen their connection to their characters and the story’s environmental message.
In addition to performance work, the group engaged in creative craft activities, such as designing their own show characters using repurposed old leaflets, a hands-on way to reinforce the production’s environmental focus. This blend of scriptwriting, performance, and eco-conscious creativity has shaped a term full of learning, imagination, and meaningful reflection on the world we hope to protect.
Communities of Wonder
Over the past few months, our Communities of Wonder programme has been buzzing with creativity and connection. We successfully completed our Dad’s Little Helper project, producing a practical, supportive guidebook for fathers and male carer. Now available online here and in print at community venues.
Meanwhile, at YMCA St Helens, we teamed up with poet Dominic Berry to help local young people explore their voices through creative writing. The result? A vibrant anthology and an unforgettable performance night celebrating what makes them, and St Helens…shine. Check out their brilliant work here.
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who’s been part of the journey!
Wonderful Volunteers
We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our team of volunteers!
Not only have the team been super busy putting up gazebos and helping audiences at events, but we also got to celebrate with them at the Halton & St Helens VCA Volunteer Awards.
This year we were nominated for Team of the Year award and the brilliant Seth was nominated for Personal Achievement Award. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but we did get to spend an inspirational evening with all of the volunteers from St Helens and Wigan.
Coming Soon…
Wonder Towns - Wonder in Wigan: We’re so excited to be taking our programme beyond St Helens and into Wigan, starting off with a performance of ‘Pirate Princess’ at The Den, Fred Longworth High School. In partnership with Royal Exchange.
A World Once Wonderful: Our Young Wonders will continue to develop their brand new show, exploring shadow theatre and puppetry.
Wonderful Performances: This Autumn we’ll be taking ‘Grandad Anansi’ into schools in St Helens & Wigan and we’ve got a festive weekend planned with performances of ‘The Snowy Day’ & ‘Jack Frost’
‘How to Look After a Grieving Elephant’: We’re really excited to be starting the 2nd phase of this fantastic project; developing a schools resource. You can find more information about the first phase of the project here