|
Story by Emma Whitelaw
IT WAS with great enthusiasm that newly-appointed artistic directors,
John Hoggarth and Paul Roseby, presented the National Youth
Theatre policy for 2004. Their main aim is to encourage individualism
within today's youth and explore the relevant issues that they
face.
In a world where fame now seems to be wrought with contrived
synthetic-like talent, Hoggarth and Roseby explained how their
policy is very much 'anti-Pop Idol and non Popstars'.
The NYT focuses on empowering the opinion and voice of young
people, rather than creating manufactured stars.
The launch began with the NYT Company giving a brief display
of how they work together in a workshop.
Although these bright young things have been taught to express
their independent voice, they work just as well as an assemblage.
With a past student listing that boasts such icons as Dame Helen
Mirren, Timothy Dalton, Daniel Day Lewis, Kate Adie and Orlando
Bloom, the NYT is no stranger to the development of big name talent.
There is no doubt that scattered among the current company are
many stars to come.
An exciting season lies ahead for these young actors, with such
productions as The Master and Margarita - where Moscow
is graced with the presence of the anti-christ - Faliraki The
Greek Tragedy, a modern day twist on bacchanalian revelry,
in the infamous Greek holiday resort, and a season of short plays,
collectively know as Short NYT's.
An ongoing project for NYT is the Young Offenders' Programme,
where NYT will collaborate with Music In Prisons, to produce an
entirely original musical, with young women at Bullwood Hall YOE.
|
 |
As part of the NYT's outreach programme, NYT's Out, underprivileged
youths, from all backgrounds, are set to task with creating quality
drama.
Shakespeare In The Square is one such project. It will
be a three-day multi-media festival, involving top Shakespearean
actors, directors, historians and artists associated with the
White Cube Gallery.
It promises groundbreaking performances and workshops in and
around Hoxton Square.
Faliraki The Greek Tragedy, a story of two under-aged
lovers, aptly named Chardonnay and Carling, was workshopped at
Wednesday's launch, and I must say it's thrilling to see such
ancient theatre being recreated in such a way.
The preview involved the modern day chorus referred to as Stansted,
where big birds pollute the sky and travellers fight for a window
seat on Easyjet, only for a view of an Aegean Sea contaminated
with sewerage.
The launch was enough to whet the tastebuds of those that were
present and will no doubt attract many to the NYT studio in 2004.
The fresh-faced enthusiasm of this season's youthful Company
suggests the future is most definitely now!
Bullwood Hall, The Musical, HMP Bullwood Hall, Essex, April -
May 2004
Shakespeare in the Square, Shoreditch, East London, May -
July, 2004
The Manor Radio Soap Opera and Website - Roadshow, Wembley,
June - July, 2004
NYT at Feltham YOI, HMP YOI Feltham, May - July, 2004
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, new adaptation
by David Rudkin, Lyric Hammersmith, King Street, London, W6. August
20 - September 11, 2004
Faliraki - The Greek Tragedy, devised by Paul Roseby and the
NYT Company, Lyric Hammersmith. August 25 - September 11, 2004
Short NYTs, Lyric Hammersmith. August 26 - September 11, 2004
|
