
The juniors, aged 8-12, have a new drama, written for them by their director Corinne James. Play investigates just what the title suggests – the changing face of children’s play over the years. The “Then” youngsters with their space hoppers meet the “Now” generation engrossed in computer games. Each thinks their lifestyle is better. Has technology destroyed our ability to communicate through play or are we looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses?
The senior section of the Chesil Youth Theatre has a different challenge, having been accepted as one of 500 groups involved in the National Theatre’s flagship youth project Connections 500. The scheme features a selection of new plays relevant for young people to perform. Chesil Youth Theatre has chosen I’m Spilling My Heart Out Here by Stacey Gregg, who is currently under commission from the Royal Court and Abbey Theatre Dublin. The play looks at concerns facing today’s teenagers - first dates, best mates, parents, homework, body image, bullies - in what is termed “a daily scramble across no-mans-land, flinching as you pass those even more clueless than you.” Following performances in Winchester, opportunities are available at other of the NT’s 41 partner theatres.
Chesil Theatre’s Spotlight on Youth takes place on 4th and 5th February 2016 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.