Watford's got talent (From Harrow Times)

Watford's got talent

12:16pm Friday 16th September 2011 in Interviews By Melanie Dakin

Onwards and upwards, that was the message coming loud and clear from the artistic community gathered at Watford Colosseum on Tuesday night for the inaugural My Creative Watford meeting.

Organised by Watford Council’s arts development officer, Sophie Cady and opened by Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, the event sought to bring together cultural groups and establishments including Watford Live!, Herts Inclusive Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre and several Watford-based artists.

Dorothy sees a bright future ahead.

“I live in Watford and it’s a good place to be,“ she says. “The challenge to everybody here is to enrich our artistic community and allow it to grow. I strongly believe it enhances community cohesion.“

To this end, Dorothy has developed a Cultural Leaders Forum bringing together representatives from bodies such as Watford FC, the BBC Concert Orchestra, Warner Bros, West Herts College and Watford Palace Theatre.

“We’re throwing out seeds to allow Watford to grow,“ continues Dorothy. “People in town share passion and belief to grow the arts in the town and what we feel quite strongly about is producing quality performances and attracting professional artists while developing a solid, good grass roots community.

Watford has got talent and now is a really good time to be here

Martin Renshaw, Watford Live!

“We already have the Pump House who are an immensely talented bunch, and Imagine Watford and Watford Live! are like two sides of a coin. They should connect with each other as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The challenge now is for everybody to raise their game.“

Judging by the number of innovative artists who have chosen to have a base in Watford, the stakes are already being elevated.

Artistic director of Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) Caroline England has spent more than ten years working with national and local producing theatres including Trestle Theatre Company and Harrow Arts Centre. From 2005-2008 she volunteered for HIT and became artistic director in 2009.

“We started with one group after school and now run four groups for children and young people and one for adults, plus holiday activities and events that lead to recognised qualifications,“ explains Caroline.

“We’re not looking for Hollywood or West End divas. We want to nurture individuals through exciting community performances such as dance, African drumming, mask work, theatre in the round and in a tent, filmmaking and musical theatre.

“It’s now our tenth anniversary and we’re working to develop a pan for the next five years and bring theatre into unexpected spaces – empty shops, anywhere you wouldn’t expect to see theatre. We also want to work more closely with schools as well as with the older community to produce inter-generational work.

“We are currently looking to expand recruiting workshop leaders volunteers and trustees.“

Watford is drawing talent from across the artistic spectrum. BAFTA nominated animation directors Kim Noce and Shaun Clark from Mew Lab ran a series of successful children’s workshops at Watford Museum during the summer. Mew Lab have previously staged work at the Tate Modern, the Barbican and created a children’s TV series for the BBC.

University of Hertfordshire graduate Sophie Cordery was born in France but has lived in Watford for more than 25 years. Sophie’s paintings have been on show at Watford Grammar School for Girls and in London but she feels there is still a need for a dedicated arts centre for Watford.

Martin Renshaw representing Watford Live! shares her enthusiasm for a dedicated art space in Watford. He also has high hopes for the next Watford Live! festival.

“In 2012 we can create something bigger and more exciting,“ he says. “Watford Live! is now in its fourth year and its entirely run by local people for local people.

“We have a small steering group and 35 organisations on board including Watford Philharmonic Society and the South Oxhey Choir. We have a professional approach and we can offer help and advice if you haven’t put on an art show or a theatre or dance event before. We’re also planning a series of fundraising events and hoping to attract corporate sponsorship.“

Martin goes on to cite the benefits of living in Watford.

“Already we have pop-up shops, a new college, an information bureau in the art market, Queens Road markets. Watford has got talent and now is a really good time to be here.

“Like Dorothy I’m proud of Watford – there are so many people who make this community tick.“

So the future’s bright but the question of where to site an arts centre in Watford remains at the top of the agenda. I can’t help noticing that Clements (TJ Hughes) is now vacant.