My school is in the midst of its Arts Festival – a week of workshops, competitions and performances which provides a huge tonic at this dreary time of year.  So last night I was lucky enough to watch the perfect counterbalance to Saturday’s flatness:  young people performing with enthusiasm, talent, energy, wit, good humour and friendliness.

The standard was high; the evening was truly enjoyable; but what intrigues me is the effect this has on the audience.  We experience poor performances as individuals and shrink within ourselves, feeling something like a sense of shame.  Conversely, a successful performance draws us together to form a responsive body.  It binds us together – here, tonight, as we experience this performance and become this audience.    Afterwards, there is a sense of release and relief:  we have shared something unique; our collective reactions have bonded us together;  in all possible senses: we feel better.