Rose and Swan Theatre

Participants in the Rose and Swan Theatre, Rose and Swan initiates, know, by the clangour of the cranes, that it is time to form a torchlight procession through the cobbled streets of the Lemurian City of Ladies, towards the timeless Rose and Swan Theatre. They come to perform before Demeter and Persephone, the mother and daughter who take turns living between the underworld and above ground.

It is Demeter by whose power and at whose pleasure the corn either grows or remains hidden in the ground. Demeter is identifiable by the crown of corn she wears on her head. Persephone, whose yellow tresses flow down on her shoulders, sits by her mother's side, waiting to receive the performers who are bringing their first fruit. Persephone is the personification of the young corn sprouting in spring. She is the corn and vine growing, she is an inspiration to artists and writers alike.

Within the Rose and Swan Theatre grain from the chaff of the threshing floors lies scattered across the stage. The place is filled with yellow grain and grasping sheaves of barley and clusters of scarlet poppies. Unripe, green corn hangs from the rafters. It is to this green corn that offerings are made in the spring, when the earth is growing green with fresh vegetation.

If you want to work with Heather Blakey in one of the small, creative groups at Soul Food you need to contact Heather, creator of the Soul Food Cafe at heatherblakey at fastmail dot fm. Groups are subscription based and limited to twelve members. There are currently only five places available. When these two groups are filled there will be a waiting list and no new groups will be formed until November 08