© Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
A film screening at Colchester Odeon on August 25 2007 marks the completion of an innovative 18-month partnership project between Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service, and Colchester Gateway Club for adults with learning disabilities.
The film, Boudica the Musical, is a unique historical musical play based on the story of Boudica produced by the Doorway Drama Group with a script written entirely by the cast.
It features key local historical characters such as Boudica and Claudius and includes original songs and score. The play has been filmed at sites around Colchester and it is the first time that a drama group like this has created a production on this scale from scratch.
© Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
“This has been a fantastic project to work on. The dedication from the group has been tremendous,” said Victoria Gamble from the Gateway Club. “We have all put in a huge amount of hours for this but it has all been really worth it. Roll on the sequel!”
The screening of Boudica the Musical will be followed in September 2007 by an exhibition in Hollytrees Museum about the production, which puts its own spin on the tragic story of Boudica and her fight with the Romans.
“This impressive example of our museum service’s outreach work shows what can be achieved through partnership working,” said Colchester Councillor Christopher Arnold, Culture and Environment Portfolio Holder. “Through creative use of our rich heritage, Boudica the Musical has brought local history alive for a new group of people who I am sure will be back to discover more.”
© Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
The project has been funded by Colchester and Ipswich Museum service in association with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), under the national Renaissance programme, and The Fowler Smith and Jones Charitable Trust.
