Jane Bower, Actress and Writer(and occasional artist, storyteller and vocal coach)
Welcome to my website! Please scroll down and browse to see the range of work I currently offer.
LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT BOOK Thread and Thrum, a novel for children and their grown-ups, superbly illustrated by my father (whose original training was in book illustration). Part of the proceeds go to support the Macular Society, as macular degeneration caused Dad's blindness.
For Remembrance Sunday - see the true story of my grandfather's rescue by the enemy, told here
for children: https://youtu.be/uQWp_nupAIc
Scroll down for the full show for age 11 and above, Daddy's Diaries.
July 2020 - I was announced as winner of the national Christian Aid Poetry competition for my poem Brown Gold, telling the story of Fairtrade chocolate!
See me in action: Here is a short video of my own story Mrs. Wrinklefinger's Ring, which was broadcast on BBC's Playschool in 1983. Recorded 2015 for Epic Tales (epictales.co.uk) by founder Chip Colquhoun.
https://vimeo.com/408355229/35817fe53b
Current solo shows:
Owed to Joyce See poster above right
Due to the Covid 19 precautions my shows at Filey Literature Festival on May 22nd
and at Garstang Arts Festival on August 23rd are cancelled until further notice
My solo show on the life and work of Joyce Grenfell makes a comeback in a new version.
'A finely judged, mellifluous performance, thrilling to watch!' - audience member
Radio interview : https://cambridge105.co.uk/leigh-chambers-01-04-2019/
To book the show for a public venue or private party, please contact me (scroll down for details)
Daddy's Diaries is the true story of my father's journey through war to peace, with his original clarinet and piano recordings, and slides throughout. Humorous, poignant, with unexpected twists. Suitable for Y6 to adult.
'I sat riveted throughout your wonderful performance - everything worked - I was gripped' - email from audience member
IN HONOUR OF MY FATHER'S 100th BIRTHDAY THE FULL SHOW IS ON YOUTUBE HERE: https://youtu.be/bLJ3xy7UPVA
The play has toured since 2015 and was chosen for an Arts Council grant for performances in Cambridgeshire Libraries.
Daddy's Diaries has now been professionally filmed and is available as a DVD, price £10 plus postage. This is a non-profit-making venture, with 20% of takings going to the charity War Child (https://www.warchild.org.uk). The sealed case includes photos and explanatory notes. To buy, please contact me.
SEE TV VIDEO HERE: https://www.dropbox.com/s/i3e3h4xda6cpegp/Daddy%27s%20Diaries.mp4?dl=0
SEE UNDER 'SHOWS' (on the blue banner above left) FOR FURTHER SHOWS, REVIEWS AND PHOTOS
My shows are designed to be adaptable to a variety of venues and are suitable for fundraising.
Monologues by Jane Bower
Hear two of my monologues as broadcast on January 25th 2020. Canaanite Woman 0.14-7.10, Mary 24.48-27.32
https://cambridge105.co.uk/?powerpress_pinw=69271-podcast
'I felt so with both ladies - in their minds, hearts and lives' - email from listener
Talks:
Sandstone in my Blood - Ashwood, the first villa in Headingley, Leeds, which was my childhood home and that of Britain's worst Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin!
Ruth, Joyce, Maureen and Me - How I came to write a play for Maureen Lipman and perform it with her on World Cup night Hear this talk at Gt. Chesterford WI on June 17th 2020, 7.45pm
See under SHOWS for further talks offered
'Jane Bower, as Margery, won the audience within seconds' - review of performance of 'Cell Talk' near Oxford, 2017
My work as a specialist teacher of the arts
To access hundreds of my magazine articles on practical primary art, drama, history, dance, storytelling and other aspects of the arts, visit https://resource-bank.scholastic.co.uk/ and enter 'Jane Bower' in the search box.
Heartfelt thanks to the 616 establishments both here and abroad (India, UAE, Armenia) for which I worked for forty years (455 primary schools, 21 churches, 5 libraries, 17 publishers, 3 TV companies, 5 theatres, 4 tourist attractions, 21 clubs and groups, 13 colleges, 2 museums, 14 private houses, 3 recording studios, 7 secondary schools, 5 village halls, 4 hospitals/care homes, 2 galleries, 35 other educational companies). You provided me with a wonderfully varied freelance career!
Contact
Please note: Having completed forty years as a primary specialist I am now retired from teaching in schools, and as associate lecturer in primary art, drama and history at the Faculty of Education. I do, however, retain my keen interest in performance, speaking, writing, singing, vocal delivery, art, drama, dance, acting and storytelling.
If you would like to make a booking for a show or talk, discuss your needs or have any queries, please contact me.
jane-bower@ntlworld.com 01223 502628
I look forward to working with you!
