SWINDON’S PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY HOSTS ITS FIRST ANNUAL OPEN DAY

One of the South West’s leading performing arts companies for children and young people opened their doors for their first Open Day.

Swindon-based Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) welcomed around 70 young people, who wanted to find out more about singing, dancing, acting and outdoor activities, when they turned up last Sunday (19th September) at the successful y event held at the SuperMarine Club at South Marston. 

Fi Da Silva Adams, founder of RPA, said: “It was amazing how many young people were interested. Together with their parents and friends, there must have been between 250-300 people including parents and carers. It was an incredible atmosphere and a wonderful collection of friends – old and new.”

The event had something for everyone – activities for the more energetic plus interesting and enjoyable things to do for the quieter ones: taster classes, group dances, drama games, yoga, guitar lessons, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, disco, spotlight on singing and dancing, Nerf guns, face painting and Lego activities.

As well as all that, RPA’s assistant, Odile Giraud-Telme completed a half marathon to raise money for Rapport and Swindon Women’s Aid. Odile had wanted to run the Swindon Half Marathon, but it didn’t take place this year so, instead, she ran the 13.1 miles (21 kilometres) at the 0pen day to raise funds for some of the young people to attend classes for free. 

Odile said: “I wanted to run the Swindon Half Marathon to keep fit and for my own achievement and, when this was cancelled, I was really disappointed. So, I decided it would do it anyway on my own and finish the run at the RPA Open Day. Doing it without the support of other runners or a crowd made it more challenging, especially as the weather was quite hot. But the reception I got from everyone on my arrival at the finish line made it absolutely worth it.”

The charities, Rapport and Swindon Women’s Aid are both very close to Odile’s heart and she completed the run to help young people affected with mental health issues, particularly those affected by the trauma of domestic abuse. She raised over £500.

“Young people need to feel great now more than ever,” said Fi. “Revolution Performing Arts enables them to express themselves through singing, dancing and drama to reconnect and help their mental health.”

Fi admitted she only decided two weeks ago to hold an open day but is thrilled by its overwhelming success. 

“It was quite hard work organising it in such a short time, but I am so glad we did and that it was so well received by the young people and their adults,” explained Fi. “It was absolutely wonderful to meet so many young people and to see their joy and happiness and beautiful, positive energy. I was astounded at just how many people came along and am now seriously considering making this an annual event.”

Although based in Swindon, RPA has other venues in North Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire as well as a newly launched venue in Malmesbury. It specialises in empowering young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts. Now that RPA is Ofsted registered, it means that it can accept childcare vouchers.

Revolution Performing Arts was founded in 2007. All the teachers are DBS checked, trained in first aid and receive training in safeguarding protocols. For more information, visit: https://revolutionpa.co.uk or email [email protected]. 

*images from the open day including one of Fi Da Silva Adams with fundraiser Odile Giraud-Telme who ran a half marathon at the recent open day by Revolution Performing Arts.