3/4/2017

Freedom Youth Theatre bring books to life

It’s only April, but feels like our Youth Theatre members have done a whole year of work already! Supported by Facilitators Natalie Davies and Anna Parker, our three groups each worked on their own performances specifically in response to World Book Day.

Carlton Bolling College did a full day of performances in their own school library, followed by shows for parent and toddler groups in Bradford public libraries. Having devised their own take on Roald Dhal’s Revolting Rhymes, they had small children in the audience itching to get up and join in – particularly when they launched into a short Bhangra routine!

And Grange Tech’s library performance, including scenes from The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet and To Kill a Mockingbird, was recorded by the school and screened to all 96 form groups. And it was lovely to join forces with Bradford Council’s Dance for Life team, who worked with the young people to choreograph a flapper-inspired dance segment.

Both groups were joined by our third team – The Canterbury Crew – for an end of term showcase at Freedom Studios. Though Canterbury had less time to create their piece, they devised a performance inspired by childhood games and fairy tales that had the audience thinking about isolation and what it means to belong.

Later this year we’ll be hosting our very first Summer School, and can’t wait to bring all these groups together again. They never fail to surprise and impress us with their ideas and enthusiasm!