What is 'OMG Keats!'...?
OMG Keats! is a unique three strand creative heritage collaboration between Jacksons Lane and Keats House; showcasing young Londoners contemporary interpretations of the nineteenth century poet’s work, whilst encouraging a diverse audience to experience Keats House through a wide sharing of young people’s impressions of Keats House. The over-riding objective is to celebrate Keats’ relevance today …two hundred years on, it is clear that Keats’ incredible legacy is very much alive and kicking.
1. The Mash Up
On 31st July 2016 a monumental ‘Mash Up’ took place in the picturesque grounds of Keats House. Eleven to twenty-five year olds were invited to take to the stage with their artistic responses to Keats. The result was an amazing range of spoken word, poetry, theatre, dance and music, all magnificently compered by London Laureate Rachel Long. This event was a coming together of local talent with community-based organisations including Centre 404, Haringey Shed, and Jumble Theatre all sharing the same platform.
2. 'Finding Keats'- the film
From 24th-28th October 2016 a group of twelve to eighteen year olds spent half term creating their own original short film inspired by the life and times of Keats, entitled ‘Finding Keats’. They gained invaluable professional work experience, through Chocolate Films production company who introduced the team to all aspects of film-making ranging from research, storyboarding, location scouting, acting and directing, and the operation of professional camera and editing equipment, all culminating in a film showing of the docu-drama ‘Finding Keats’ for family and friends. Each of the participants received a certificate acknowledging their tremendous accomplishments.
3. Immersive theatre
Twenty-one St Thomas More School students from Years 8,9, and 10 worked closely with performance artist and director Kazuko Hohki over four months to create 'Writ in Water' an awesome site-specific immersive theatre show devised from scratch. This was an exciting opportunity for the participants to take an experimental approach. All four performances took place on 18th March 2017.
Funded and supported by:
