Young performers Busting with pride
CAPITAL SHOW ... the Customs House Youth Theatre group at the National Theatre in London to perform Cloud Busting.
A PRESTIGIOUS theatre has played host to a play produced by a group of young performers from South Tyneside.
The Customs House Youth Theatre is celebrating after its debut performance in London – at the famous National Theatre on the South Bank.
The group of 14 to 17-year-olds took to the stage as part of the National Youth Theatre Connections Festival.
They performed Cloud Busting, an adaptation of a Malorie Blackman novel by writer Helen Blakeman, written in verse.
The story celebrates friendship and individuality and their performance was described by respected website www.ayoungertheatre.com as a “highly effective piece”.
It added that the young cast “performed admirably with a text that demands attention to detail and energy as the scenes shift continuously between characters and scenarios”.
Lauren Bonar, 19, a member of the Customs House’s theatre in education group, took on the role of class teacher Miss Mackie.
She has only been in the profession for 18 months, but stepped into the breach when an original performer couldn’t travel to the capital.
She said: “It was an absolutely amazing experience. I only came into the show about a month ago, but all the hard work was worth it. It was the best thing I have ever done.
“The staff and the National were so friendly and made everyone feel so welcome. It really helped us relax, and we put on a great performance.”
South Shields MP David Miliband took time out of his busy schedule to meet the group at the theatre.
Danielle Britton, of Souter View, Whitburn said: “He asked lots of questions about the show and wished us good luck.
“It was really nice of him to come and see us – it made the play more special.”
Executive director of the Customs House, Ray Spencer MBE, said: “I was very proud of everyone associated with the show when I saw the performance.
“Everyone from director to sound operator has worked so incredibly hard and to be rewarded with a once in a lifetime trip to perform at the National was fully deserved.”
angela.reed@northeast-press.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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