Behind the scenes at the Artefacts virtual variety show
The face of performing arts has dramatically changed throughout the COVID pandemic and just as we have seen the likes of Lady Gaga, Brad Pitt and Andrea Bocelli getting creative and moving things online, so too have our very own group of talented student doctors in the medical performing arts society, Artefacts.
We caught up with Presidents Ioan Wardhaugh, Will Bedson and Liv Olujohungbe ahead of their virtual variety show on Sunday 22nd November, all proceeds from which are being donated to St John's Hospice on the Wirral.
"Things can get a bit intense at times what with studies, placements - and Artefacts has always given us the chance to spend time with other medics while doing something that isn't medicine." reflects Ioan. Whilst all three agree they are definitely missing the camaraderie of physically being in the same place at the same time, the creative student doctors have adapted quickly and made the most of their weekly meet ups over Zoom, which are now focused on rehearsals for the variety performance.
Artefacts is made up of student doctors who also happen to be keen musicians, actors, dancers and singers. The Sunday variety show features something from each discipline - but where do you even begin in putting something like that together?
"For dance", Liv explains, "it'd start off with me editing the music and sending out a video of myself walking through the steps." It was important to bear in mind everyone's different lockdown circumstances. "Space has been a consideration. Some of us have long, thin rooms, others are living in halls or in flats so can't exactly be jumping up and down disturbing the neighbours."
For William, band rehearsals mean coordinating the various band members filming footage of themselves at home and then piecing all of that together for a complete band performance, yes Rolling Stones style.
We're talking about 20 to 30 people here all pulling together to make these pieces a success.
The band have been doing a lot of jazz numbers and will perform Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man and Cantaloupe Island as well as an original arrangement of Harry Styles' Watermelon Sugar. "It's been brought to my attention that a lot of my music choices seem to be melon themed." laughs William.
Although the editing stage of the process has proven to be the most laborious, it's also the most satisfying. "It's a bit of a strange one to be singing into your computer screen on your own. But it's pretty amazing once you start piecing it all together and seeing it start to take shape." says Ioan who is part of the choir and has been working on a rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' as well as 'From Now On' from The Greatest Showman,
There's a sentence in there, 'And we will come back home, Home, again!' which just fit so perfectly with what is going on with lockdown, at least it did for me, I have to admit I am very sentimental.
Indeed, this proves to be the most emotionally charged moment of the show.
Laughs aren’t in short supply either with the Drama Club taking inspiration from the world around us in a number of skits that poke fun at, among other things, the pitfalls of a Zoom interview. The show was almost stolen however by a cheeky intruder, a very curious pet cat who apparently wanted a go of the drum machine itself.
Artefacts events are usually the University of Liverpool equivalent of Glastonbury and tickets can be hard to come by. And there's the silver lining. Like so many other things we have seen throughout the year, events have become so much more accessible. "My grandparents will be attending this one whereas normally they wouldn't be able to travel down for it." William says. Ioan adds, "Yes, it's really nice to think about people sort of settling down in their living rooms to watch together."
The Society are also excited about making the performance available online after the event so even more of us can enjoy the show. "Think about our alumni, those who were a part of Artefacts and have since graduated, they can reconnect back with the group and enjoy the performance, even if they aren't able to attend on the day because of work."
The show streamed live on the evening of Sunday 22nd November, and the society are proud to have sold 180 show tickets and raised an amazing £1,150 for St John's Hospice so far.
More than 150 screens watched the live performance, which is available until Sunday 29th November - so you still have a chance to catch it! All the students ask their viewers is to make a small donation in order to show their thanks and help a good cause.
Liv is ecstatic about how the event went on the night,
It was definitely a lot of hard work, but seeing how much everyone had put in to making it great, and all the support we received, made it so worthwhile. Even just seeing everyone's faces (albeit virtually) at a time when we cannot all be together was really lovely.
The sentiment is echoed by Music Director Will, who was equally as proud of how much they have managed to raise so far, "It was amazing to feel the warmth of the Artefacts & School community through the computer screens! As everyone has been recording alone at home, finally seeing the finished product with everyone in it felt like being in a proper band again.”
What's next for this talented bunch?
On to the next show-stopping performance of course with preparations already underway for the annual Carol Concert on 16th December at 19.00. The choir have joined forces with School of Medicine staff members to bring us all something extra special. "Our aim with this one is to share it even further and have it streaming across care homes and places like that." explains Ioan.
Purchase your ticket early and get the mince pies and hot chocolate in ready for the most festive event of the season. Of course, the added bonus of it all being online is that we can all join in with the singing from the comfort (and privacy!) of our own home. Let's just be sure our microphones are on mute!