The second of six programmes produced by Merlin Films for Tyne Tees Television that looks at the arts scene around the region. In this second programme a look at the arts scene in the Gateshead area that includes the work on the Prime-Time Writing Group for older women to come together to write poetry, Them Wifies Women’s Arts Collective which brings theatre to the women of the borough as well as those with learning difficulties. Title: In A City Art Art in an Urban World Gateshead As a...

The second of six programmes produced by Merlin Films for Tyne Tees Television that looks at the arts scene around the region. In this second programme a look at the arts scene in the Gateshead area that includes the work on the Prime-Time Writing Group for older women to come together to write poetry, Them Wifies Women’s Arts Collective which brings theatre to the women of the borough as well as those with learning difficulties. Title: In A City Art Art in an Urban World Gateshead As a Tyne and Wear Metro train crossing the Queen Elizabeth II bridge from Newcastle into Gateshead, in the distance on the far banks the arched sculpture Rolling Moon by Colin Rose hidden in woodland inside Gateshead Riverside Park. Standing outside Gateshead Civic Centre the sculpture The Family by Gordon York changes to a phantom car ride along a road leading to Saltwell Park. In voiceover poet Isabel Brown reads a poem she has written about her childhood memories of the park. Sitting at his desk Bill Macnaught Director of Libraries and Arts for Gateshead talks about the firm believe in the town that arts do have a place in public life and about the council providing opportunities for participation. A family group walking through Saltwell Park changes to a group of five older women walking along a road nearby looking in on a shop window. In voiceover Isabel Brown recites a second poem about her teenager years and how the current younger generation are treading the well-warn path of the old. Sitting in the Shipley Art Gallery poet Julia Darling provides details on the Prime-Time Writing Group which was set up to work with older people in a contemporary way. As the all-women group sit around a table working on their various poems, Julia talks about how she has helped them give a more contemporary view of the Northeast and Gateshead. As two members of the group, Mary Potts and Isobel Ferguson, read out their poetry a montage of views around Gateshead including its Jewish community. Views of the stainless-steel sculpture Window by Colin Rose on Bensham Bank with Bill Macnaught speaking in voiceover about how Gateshead has won awards for its opens space art that it is done in collaboration with the public to enhance the environment. Another sculpture, Sports Day by Mike Winstone on West Street followed by other pieces of public art around the Gateshead Riverside Park including Cone made from layers of steel plate and produced by Andy Goldsworthy. As a Tyne and Wear Metro train leaving Gateshead station Mike White Assistant Director of Libraries and Arts for Gateshead talks about a longstanding arrangement with the Metro operators to exhibit poems inside their carriages. As the train continues its journey the poem ‘Passport to Sin’ by Doris M. Palgrave in a prime advertising space inside the carriage. Following Mike White talking about how good poems move people and why it should be put somewhere where is can read in an accessible way, Doris Palgrave read her poem. Passengers travelling the escalator to reach the exit inside Gateshead Interchange changes to a Gateshead care home where a group of older residents play with a large parachute silk to keep a balloon in the air. In voiceover Belinda Williams Acting Director of Programming for Equal Arts talks about who Equal Arts are and about this Gateshead Elderly Arts Project which is to work with some of the growing numbers of elderly people in Gateshead to enable people to express themselves and their feelings through a creative process. Dancework Instructor Liz Elson works with the group to develop sensitivity through touch. She talks in voiceover about how being part of this project has changed her assumptions about older people; the session ends with all those taking part becoming very emotional. A montage of girls and women in Gateshead changes to the Shipley Art Gallery and Julia Darling reading her poem Modern Goddess. She talks about its origins and its link to the Them Wifies Women’s Art Collective as it is a poem about women who think they are going mad. Katherine Zeserson from the arts collective talks about putting on a piece of theatre entitled ‘Cassandra’ about the character from Ancient Troy and how like many women today she didn’t feel heard. As the twenty-five women taking part in the production go through a rehearsal Katherine talks about how this production has brough together women from across the borough. One of the women, Anne Seifipour, talks about what she and the other women have gained from being part of the project. Standing on a pier beside Saltwell Park lake is Glass Sculpture Sandy Schofield. With a piece of her art on the ground beside her, she talks about moving to Gateshead and how her art is influenced by the sea and the emotions of water. A montage featuring examples of her work which are made from glass shards glued together with resin. In her studio as she works on another piece, she talks about her art and how it makes people feel. As Sandy talks about the issues Gateshead has with unemployment and young people not having enough to do, a montage of children and young people walking or playing on streets around a council estate in the borough. In voiceover Paul Carswell Senior Area Community Education Worker for Gateshead talks about a detached youth project he is involved in on this estate which has a non-traditional approach to youth work using skills and abilities to engage with young people who may have been barred from other youth centres. In a recording studio the all-girl band The Disruptables perform their song ‘Dreams’ with Paul Carswell explaining that money was available for a youth pilot project to use music as a way for young people to write and record songs reflect on their own histories and backgrounds. Outside some of the girls talks about their song which is about what they would do if they had a million pounds. In a studio a group of young adults with learning difficulties, members of the Lawnmowers Theatre Company, put on a performance about a young man getting and learning how to use a condom. In voiceover Geradline Ling, a Keyworker from Them Wifies Women’s Art Collective talks about the development the production and how the research carried by members of the group showed that people are sexual beings when you have a learning difficulty Before the closing credit, a final montage featuring clips from the programme. Credit: Electricians Alan Robinson, Alan Sharp, John Mason Consultant Marshall Hall Production Co-ordinator Jennifer Chapman Sound Ken Davison, Gail Westwood, Paul Graham Graphics Dave Richardson Executive Producer for Tyne Tees Trevor Hearing Production Assistant Pauline Grant Research Catherine Hearne Music John Cook Editor Bernard Helm Camera Dave Dixon Directed and Produced by Peter Chapman Title: A Merlin Films Production for Tyne Tees Television End Title: Copyright Tyne Tees Television 1993