As an offshoot of the community arts-based Vita Nova, comes the Pipe down collective. A Boscombe based initiative that gives a platform for any kind of artist in the area.
All are in recovery from substance abuse and decided together to branch out.
Their aim is to help all local artists, be it poetry, music or theatre to express themselves and be seen.
One of the founders, Seth Martin from said: “Basically it kind of started at grassroots. There were three of us in the beginning and we were trying to write. (then) we just started workshopping ideas. Then we thought we ’d do some performing together.”
Individual members of the collective had their own reasons for joining. Jamie Derrick, explained: “We were just looking for a place where we could like showcase our work.
He added: “You know kinda get some experience on stage performing.”
Martin Coyne said: “I joined because I felt it was a really exciting opportunity to be a part of a community based performing arts group.”
There were mixed feelings about the project, but all were positive. Sharon Coyne, artistic director at Vita Nova, said: “I think it’s an exciting project that has grown out of friendship within Vita Nova.
She went on to praise those involved and said: “It has given confidence to the individuals in the group, which they gained through taking part in theatre and other arts at Vita Nova.”
Local member of parliament for Bournemouth East, Tom Hayes, was equally enthusiastic, he said: “The arts are a crucial part of our economy. Their most notable value is in the impact they have on people.
The collective has already had some success and there is hope for the future. They were first offered a regular stint at the Black Cherry in Boscombe but were only able to do one event due to its closing. However, the show was a huge success with a full house.
Other events followed but the peak was when they performed at the Boscombe carnival in the summer. Seth was delighted. He said: “We are now being recognized as an actual body. I’m being contacted now to take part in things in the community. The carnival was one of our highest achievements.”
Of the future, Martin said: “I’m very excited. I think it has huge potential. It’s a real haven for people from all sorts of backgrounds. I’d like to see it operate in the way it does now just bigger and better and more diverse, podcast, video and things like that.”
Seth added that they were offering a service to people who can’t otherwise perform their art. “I’m hoping the collective can give people a face, you know to come and say, ‘This is what I do, and it doesn’t matter what it is.’”
