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  • I am a graduate of Glasgow Uni (English &Theatre Studies), QUB Belfast, (MA Social Anthropology) and Edinburgh Uni (M... moreedit
The text discusses the performance Kalevala The Unwritten Fragments of the Węgajty Theatre / Field Project, which in 2000/2001 opened a new phase in the theatre's activity. The performance continued the thematic, aesthetic, and method... more
The text discusses the performance Kalevala The Unwritten Fragments of the Węgajty Theatre / Field Project, which in 2000/2001 opened a new phase in the theatre's activity. The performance continued the thematic, aesthetic, and method choices of the Węgajty Village Theatre, while also opening new paths of exploration. The group's work was particularly transformed, and a new quality was brought into its accompanying reflection, by the presence of the actor and anthropologist Trevor Hill. The analysis of Hill's autoethnographic description of their work on Kalevala allows us to distinguish three dimensions of autoethnography: as an innovative technique of obtaining information, as a research method (analytical autoethnography), and
A short article about the Polish Midsummer tradition of Sobótki, including lyrics of Polish poetry and folksong.
Despite being produced and performed in 2000-2001, Projekt Terenowy Węgajty's theatrical production Kalevala; fragmenty niepisane has received practically no academic attention in the study of Polish Theatre. This article seeks to partly... more
Despite being produced and performed in 2000-2001, Projekt Terenowy Węgajty's theatrical production Kalevala; fragmenty niepisane has received practically no academic attention in the study of Polish Theatre. This article seeks to partly redress this by examining the use of German, Russian and Ukrainian folk songs in the production. The article examines the work against the group's earlier projects, which used a selection of Polish and European literature and music, as well as exploring the background behind the production and how songs from various cultures and languages were used to illustrate the Finnish epic. The article concludes by considering how effective the strategies were.
The authors comment on Damian Stead's decision to change his approach to the teaching of lower secondary school science. They endorse his approach, arguing that stepping back and letting the students guide the learning through... more
The authors comment on Damian Stead's decision to change his approach to the teaching of lower secondary school science. They endorse his approach, arguing that stepping back and letting the students guide the learning through discussion encourages deeper understanding ...
This article deals with the use of martial arts as a subject for ELT.
ABSTRACT The article looks at Martial Arts
... The wrestling area was approximately 100 yards across. Dejan, my translator,9 approached a group of youths and confirmed that they were wrestlers from a club in Veles, one of whom was a Russian who had moved to Macedonia. ...
Part 3 of a series of articles about staging theatrical projects for ELT students.
Part 2 of a series of 3 articles about using drama in ELT teaching
An introduction for language teachers about staging a drama project
Blue Shadows Over the last few months, I have been involved in a number of educational arts project for child audiences; in all cases, these have used traditional styles of performance. One of the most interesting and, I think, innovative... more
Blue Shadows Over the last few months, I have been involved in a number of educational arts project for child audiences; in all cases, these have used traditional styles of performance. One of the most interesting and, I think, innovative was a show about the history of blues music, which used shadow puppetry. Whilst it is not specifically about ELT, I feel many teachers will find it both interesting and useful. In later articles, I shall also follow it up with more detailed information about staging a show for and/or with students.
The practice of Pehlivan (Pelivan) Wrestling in the Balkans is popular amongst the Turkish and Albanian communities of the Balkans. This paper explores how differing aspects of masculinity, ethnicity and cultural expression may be noted... more
The practice of Pehlivan (Pelivan) Wrestling in the Balkans is popular amongst the Turkish and Albanian communities of the Balkans. This paper explores how differing aspects of masculinity, ethnicity and cultural expression may be noted and displayed within the sport. The paper explores how the sport may be considered a form of expression for those within the communities who practise it, as well as communicating to those external communities who exist alongside.

This paper originally appeared in "The International Journal of Albanian Studies" Vol 2, No.1 Spring 1998. NY
(ISBN 1-891654-03-9)

Parts of this paper also appear in    ‘Wrestling with Identities: Physical prowess and cultural expression’  in "Culture, Sport, Society", Volume 2, Issue 1 Spring 1999 pp 108-126. Frank Cass,             London. (save yourself buying it!)
Research Interests:
Wrestling in many cultures is considered an essential expression of manhood and masculinity. However, recent research in gender studies has problematized the notion of masculinity, suggesting that it has several different faces. Through... more
Wrestling in many cultures is considered an essential expression of manhood and masculinity. However, recent research in gender studies has problematized the notion of masculinity, suggesting that it has several different faces. Through examining the philosophies, representations and practices surrounding male wrestling in general and the sport of oiled Pelivanwrestling in Macedonia, this paper seeks to not only illustrate differing notions of masculinity but to show how they are expressed and played out in the
context of this traditional form of wrestling
Research Interests:
Abstract: For over 20 years Teatr Wiejski Węgajty of northern Poland have been conducting seasonal caroling expeditions in remote areas of Poland, utilizing songs and performance material from a number of different ethno-cultural groups... more
Abstract:
For over 20 years Teatr Wiejski Węgajty of northern Poland have been conducting seasonal caroling expeditions in remote areas of Poland, utilizing songs and performance material from a number of different ethno-cultural groups within Poland. This paper explores how the group performs this physically demanding form of theatre and how the performances may act as a form of “provocation”, producing reactions and commentary which may prove of use to researchers.


This research was carried out whilst studying at University of Edinburgh and funded by ESRC. My thanks to my supervisor, Iris Jean-Klein (Edinburgh University), The members of TWW and all who assisted me along the way.

This article appears in "Context"  Volume 12, (pp 199-214) University of Ss Kiril & Metodius,  Skopje, 2014

http://iml.edu.mk/index.php/izdanija/megjunarodni-spisanija/contex-kontekst
Abstract: The paper explores notions of “the rural” and “the urban” in modern Poland through examining the work of Teatr Wiejski Węgajty, a small theatre company in north - ern Poland and how this work highlights and provokes tensions... more
Abstract:
The paper explores notions of “the rural” and “the urban” in modern Poland
through examining the work of Teatr Wiejski Węgajty, a small theatre company in north
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ern Poland and how this work highlights and provokes tensions between notions of ‘the
rural’ and ‘the urban’ amongst those who participate and experience the theatre’s perfor
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mances. The text explores how, by using various aspects of traditional village-based per
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formance techniques the theatre attracts urban participants who seek contact with village
culture, and how this contact may contrast sharply with the perceptions and views of rural inhabitants.

This article appears in the journal EthnoAnthropoZoom. Research was funded by ESRC and undertaken whilst the author was studying at Edinburgh University Dept. of Anthropology.
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This paper (written in 1999) explores the use of Foucault's Panopticon theory to analyse combat sports such as wrestling and boxing.
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This paper is explores some of the problems encountered with using various texts from contemporary and historical sources in the researching the region of Macedonia. Written in 1999, the paper explores the changing terminology and... more
This paper is explores some of the problems encountered with using various texts from contemporary and historical sources in the researching the region of Macedonia. Written in 1999, the paper explores the changing terminology and viewpoints of authors from historical and political viewpoints.
Research Interests:
I recently wrote about a shadow theatre project for pre-schoolers with which I had been involved. In this article I shall speak about shadow puppetry and why it can be a wonderful tool for teachers working with all age groups and levels.... more
I recently wrote about a shadow theatre project for pre-schoolers with which I had been involved. In this article I shall speak about shadow puppetry and why it can be a wonderful tool for teachers working with all age groups and levels.
As I mentioned in my previous article, shadow theatre is simple and flexible. The amount of materials and equipment needed can be very minimal. However, that being said, it can also be very high-tech at times. In this way it is an ideal medium in that it is adaptable to whatever your situation, location and budget. However, the history and worldwide culture of the form is also of interest and can be the basis of a project, as well as allowing a teacher to cover all sorts of other aspects of learning (geography, history, religion, etc).
This is a comic play especially written for mid-teenage students (Middle Sc hool/Gymnazium) based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Charlotte Holmes is the niece of the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. When Sherlock is... more
This is a comic play especially written for mid-teenage students (Middle Sc hool/Gymnazium) based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Charlotte Holmes is the niece of the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. When Sherlock is too busy to take on a case of a stolen fashion collection, who else to call but his teenage niece and her trusty companion "Doc" Watson?
May 2019 will be the 160 th birthday of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Apart from being famous both on screen and in print, Sherlock Holmes is featured in many EFL text books. It could be an exciting idea for both... more
May 2019 will be the 160 th birthday of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Apart from being famous both on screen and in print, Sherlock Holmes is featured in many EFL text books. It could be an exciting idea for both teachers and students to do some kind of project based around the famous detective, his creator Conan Doyle, Victorian England, etc. This could generate a lot of vocabulary and uses of the past tenses amongst the older students, but for the younger learners, this might be a little harder to take part in.
Shadow puppetry: tips and warnings My previous articles explored how shadow puppetry might be a useful activity to use with students generally and language students in particular. At the end of my second article I pointed out that there... more
Shadow puppetry: tips and warnings My previous articles explored how shadow puppetry might be a useful activity to use with students generally and language students in particular. At the end of my second article I pointed out that there were a number of websites or books which dealt with the technicalities of making puppets and a theatre. Most of these contain the same information so I felt it unnecessary to repeat the same things. This article is going to assume the reader has a basic idea of how to make the figures (if you don't, hurry up and read something) and focus more on tips and warnings about the process which can save you some headaches and give you new ideas.
This article is for EL teachers who may wish to examine aspects of WW1 with their students. It is particularly aimed at non-UK natives who may have little knowledge about WW1 and Britain. This article appeared in The Teacher magazine... more
This article is for EL teachers who may wish to examine aspects of WW1 with their students. It is particularly aimed at non-UK natives who may have little knowledge about WW1 and Britain. This article appeared in The Teacher magazine (Poland) in 2014.
It explores representations and cultural effects of WW1 on British life.
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One of the major difficulties facing non-Native Speaker teachers of English is knowing and explaining the (in)appropriacy of certain aspects of language. When students are often confronted with racist language in films and music, it is... more
One of the major difficulties facing non-Native Speaker teachers of English is knowing and explaining the (in)appropriacy of certain aspects of language. When students are often confronted with racist language in films and music, it is difficult to know what is inappropriate language. A similar situation may be found with language referring to medical conditions and disabilities.

This article is an introduction for non-Native Speaker teachers about the problems of inappropriate language concerning race and disabilities. It was originally published in The Teacher magazine (Poland). (2014)
Research Interests:
A short handout with illustrations (from the internet) to explain Present Perfect
Research Interests:
ELT
The British Army has a long history of soldiers' slang, some of which has entered into everyday civilian speech. This slang often reflects the history of regiments and the army in general, consisting of loanwords from different regions in... more
The British Army has a long history of soldiers' slang, some of which has entered into everyday civilian speech. This slang often reflects the history of regiments and the army in general, consisting of loanwords from different regions in which the army has served.

The article may be of use to linguists, ELT teachers working with military students and translators.

This article originally appeared in The Teacher Magazine (Poland). Issue 01 (105) 2013
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Some ideas about new words and phrases and the developments in English.

First appeared in The Teacher Magazine (Poland): Issue 11 (113) 2013
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Some ideas for roleplay.
This article originally appeared in The Teacher magazine.
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