It's been a busy first half of the year for Young Vic Taking Part - they've produced 7 shows, held workshops and courses for Young People and communities for people who live, work or study in Lambeth and Southwark and celebrated the 1st anniversary of Neighbourhood Theatre. Find out more below...
See Me Now
A two year long project, the first version of See Me Now was originally performed as part of The Brolly Project in August 2015, a Young Vic Taking Part project. The team worked closely with outreach projects across London to find a company of participants who have, or do work in the sex industry. The performance, created in collaboration with the company, saw them sharing their painful, touching and often hilarious stories from their work and personal lives. The culmination of this was See Me Now which was performed for a three week run in February in the YV's Maria. See what audiences had to say about TP's production on our Storify.
See Me Now at the Young Vic. Photo by Matt HumphreyGo Between
Go Between was a Taking Part community show inspired by Isango Ensemble’s A Man of Good Hope. A beautiful collaboration between director Anna Girvan, writer Archie Maddocks and participants who were homeless or had experienced homelessness in the past, it explored what home means to all of us. Go Between ran in the Maria in January. You can find out more about the rehearsal process and see portraits of our participants in our blog post.
Go Between at the Young Vic. Photo by Jordan LeeFable
Fable is our schools and colleges' response to Isango Ensemble’s A Man of Good Hope. Directed by Maddeleine Kludje and written by Luke Barnes, Fable is a three-part film performed by three groups of children and teenagers in London, Brooklyn and Cape Town.
The filming of Fable Part 1. Photo by Leon PuplettStart Swimming
The most recent Taking Part Parallel Productions, Start Swimming was written by Jamez Fritz in response to the Young Vic's Why It's Kicking Off Everywhere, a show about occupation, revolution and the future of our youth. Directed by Ola Ince and performed by a cast of 11 young Londoners, Start Swimming was performed in the Clare at the Young Vic in April and continues at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
Start Swimming at the Young Vic. Photo by Helen MurrayAnd Yet It Moves
Written by Molly Taylor and the company in response to the themes of Life of Galileo, And Yet It Moves was directed by Joseph Hancock. Focusing on Brexit they interviewed people who voted both leave and remain, as well as prominent MPs from across the campaign, and ran workshops with members of Two Boroughs' Neighbourhood Theatre. The end result was a piece that addressed the questions of what country you want to live in and how hopeful you are of the future.
And Yet It Moves at the Young Vic. Photo by Leon PuplettPRU Project
Laura Keefe directed a week-long project with school children at Kennington Park Academy's pupil referral unit in the Clare in May. A response to Life of Galileo, the workshops featured some dazzling personalised projections by SDNA featuring all of the children involved. Teachers and parents were invited to a small sharing at the end of the week bringing all of their work together.
The Space Between
The Space Between was Taking Part's annual production for audiences with special educational needs and disabilities. Aimed at children under 12, The Space Between was particularly tailored for those on the Autistic Spectrum. It told the tale of a young girl determined to run away, but who forms a caring relationship with The Creature. The show was written, directed and with a beautiful puppet created by Brunskill & Grimes.
The Space Between at the Young Vic. Photo by Leon Puplett
Intro to Directing & Intro to Design
Run yearly, these are week long courses that give 18 - 25 year-olds the opportunity to find out more about theatre directing and design. The introductory courses included practical workshops led by professional theatre directors and designers included practical sessions, backstage theatre tours and trips to see various productions at theatres across London.
Other workshops and talks run by Taking Part this year have included Preparing for Drama School Auditions, Vocal Coaching, Off Stage and Schools Workshops.
Only Young Events
Taking Part have run several Only Young networking events this year. These are evenings held at the Young Vic specifically for young actors, directors, writers, designers, producers and technicians to meet with other creatives. Only Young has been held predominantly for young people aged 18 -25, Taking Part had a great time bringing 14 - 18 year olds together for the first time at this event earlier this summer.
Backstage Pass
Nine young Londoners spent two weeks at the Young Vic learning the skills and secrets of stagecraft, as part of Taking Part’s Backstage Pass programme, culminating in a performance of an extract of a play, professionally directed and acted, which the participants plotted, built, designed and called.
Backstage pass participants learning rigging from the production department. Photo by Leon Puplett
Neighbourhood Theatre
Neighbourhood Theatre started in June 2016 and celebrated it's 1st Birthday this year. Eighty neighbours officially became members of the new Young Vic company of local people. This company is at the heart of our work. They are ambassadors, creators, friends and supporters. Neighbourhood Theatre comes together to attend our shows enjoy Kitchen Conversations and Theatre Clubs.
Find out more about Young Vic Taking Part and how you can get involved.
