The Dorothy Parkes Centre is working in partnership with Black Country Touring and other local community organisations to offer ‘The 15 Minute Arts Centre’ in Smethwick.

This redefines the idea of an arts centre by decentralising it from a single venue and dispersing creative activities across existing community spaces, growing their existing audiences.

This innovative approach aims to seamlessly integrate arts and cultural experiences into the daily lives of residents within a 15-minute radius, utilising accessible locations like libraries, community centres, and parks as dynamic hubs for artistic expression.

This project has been funded by the Inclusive Communities Fund and will run until December 2024.

As part of this project, the Dorothy Parkes Centre will be hosting a couple of shows, alongside some other performances previously booked in.

All shows are ticketed on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis.

 

The DPC schedule includes:

 

Saturday 10^th August 2024 – 11am & 1pm

Sleeping Seeds (at our Community Allotment)

This is a story about a pair of gardeners who are in a band called ‘The Sleeping Seeds’. These musical gardeners have a very special seed asleep in their seed bed, and they invite you to observe how they nurture and encourage this little seed as it matures and makes its mark in the world.

This is a show for all the family that uses music and play to explore what we grow, where we grow and how we grow. 
Expect catchy songs, unusual instruments and fun joining in. Rake & Roll!!

Book Here

 

Tuesday 24^th September 2024 – 10.30am - 1.30pm AND Friday 27^th September 2024 – 10am - 12pm

BOSA

BOSA (meaning barefoot in Croatian) is Notnow Collective’s new adventure.

We got inspired by the lingering feeling of the summer on our bare feet. All the journeys we travelled. All the places we left behind. And, all those spaces that lie ahead…

The performance uses the latest immersive spatial audio technology, giving you the experience of being present with the characters in the story.

Please contact the centre for more information and to secure a space

  

Saturday 28th September 2024 – 7.30pm

Confetti

Uptight and unlucky in love, Felix is the ‘mate of honour’ for his best friend’s wedding. It’s going to be perfect… as long as there aren’t any distractions.

“A Gleeful, Glittery One-Man Rom-Com” The Scotsman

A queer rom-com from Will Jackson (“Rising Comic Star”-Attitude). Confetti follows Felix, from surprise hen night to wedding reception, as he embarks on a romance of his own – and you’re invited!

“The perfect 00s rom-com, Richard Curtis can eat his heart out.” ★★★★★ Everything Theatre
“One wedding you wouldn’t want to miss” ★★★★★ North West End

Book Here

 

Sunday 20^th October 2024 – 7.30pm

Wild

Wild - What does it conjure up for you? 

Is it  a moment standing at the edge of a raging sea or being lifted up and spat out of a whirling tornado; running for your life through city streets or coming face to face with a wolf; the animal within that can’t always be tamed or the wilderness at the edge of your home?

Created through conversations with local people across the Black Country, ‘Wild’ is an immersive theatre production with an ensemble cast of four, rich soundscapes and live music. Wild celebrates the natural world and our place within it. It invites the audience to reflect on their own definitions of Wild, fostering a deeper appreciation of both nature and human nature.

Tickets will be on sale from 26th August 2024

 

Monday 28^th October 2024 – 10am & 12pm

Nature Elly

Elly runs the best farm ever, but the carrots have been trampled, the apples have vanished and there’s hay everywhere! Come and help Elly and Bob the Pheasant save the harvest, and discover the mystery animal hiding in the hay- stack.

Nature Elly is a puppetry show created especially for 2-5 year olds, full of interactive fun, beautifully written original music and a cast of stunning and adorable animal puppets for little ones to meet. Created by award-winning Barmpot Theatre, in association with the UK's leading puppetry theatre, Little Angel Theatre, and commissioned by Lincolnshire One Venues and SO Festival.

All performances have integrated British Sign Language translation.

Book Here

 

Sunday 8^th December 2024 – 1pm & 3pm

The Toymaker

A family festive show inspired by various traditional stories from around the world. Visit the Toymaker in his workshop as he prepares to go out on his deliveries.

A storytelling performance, performed by one actor who skilfully animates various puppets and props to weave together all the differing stories to create a funny, anarchic, moving and beautiful journey through various cultures and makes for visually stunning theatre.

Book Here