We Lost Elijah
SIYT will perform this brand new piece by Ryan Craig as part of the National Theatre's Connections programme for 2013. The National Theatre Connections programme puts young people centre stage. Ten brilliant writers have worked with young people across the nation, from the highlands of Scotland to the far reaches of Cornwall, to develop/create ten short plays for young actors to perform.
Elijah’s older brother and two friends were charged with getting him home safely while the riots were raging. Somehow though, somewhere on route, something happened and they didn’t make it home together. Did Elijah get caught up in the events or was there another reason for his disappearance?
We Lost Elijah will be performed at the Corn Exchange in St Ives from 6-9th March and at the Derngate Theatre in Northampton in April 2013.
Elijah’s older brother and two friends were charged with getting him home safely while the riots were raging. Somehow though, somewhere on route, something happened and they didn’t make it home together. Did Elijah get caught up in the events or was there another reason for his disappearance?
We Lost Elijah will be performed at the Corn Exchange in St Ives from 6-9th March and at the Derngate Theatre in Northampton in April 2013.
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What I Want to Say But Never Will
If you could say anything you wanted, without any consequences or judgment, just what would you say?
Based on student responses and directed by Tyler Mortimer and Mark Dominy, What I Want to Say But Never Will explores this simple but intimate question, offering a glimpse into teenagers' most private thoughts. Funny, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, romantic - SIYT present a 90 minute emotional roller-coaster that will also be their Edinburgh Fringe 2013 production.
“The young know how truly difficult and dreadful youth can be. Their youth is wasted on everyone else, that's the horror. The young have no authority, no respect.”
Anne Rice
What comes to mind when you think of the word “Youth”? It’s an interesting question and when you consider the answer it does seem more and more that we are growing into an age where the word “youth” conjures up volatile images, negative stereotypes. The platform on which young people are allowed to speak has been turned into a pedestal by our media, one foot in the wrong direction can lead to great falls. Risk, it seems, has become a word that we whisper; opinions things perceived as underdeveloped; while honesty has become a note that can be summed up in 140 characters or less.
Having been involved with SIYT as a member and as a volunteer for some time, I have had a place where I could speak freely, allowing me to develop my opinions through creative thinking and understanding. I remember growing up thinking that when I became 18, I would suddenly become an adult and treated as such. However, at the age of 24, I still have this label of a “young” person. What is that supposed to mean? When do I become respected? An adult? Maybe that is why this question came about?
What would I want to say? It is a question I found myself asking a lot throughout our rehearsals for this play. Worryingly, the only answer that came to me was why would I want to say anything? It’s easy to be told what you are by the media or politicians, but all young people are being tarred with the same brush. Their voice is quiet and generally ignored. It’s the practice of “do not speak unless spoken to” in its modern context. So we present tonight a platform for the voice of the young, where real issues can be addressed, observed and understood. More shocking perhaps, is that in today’s age our young people often feel more comfortable to associate with the label society has given them rather than being themselves.
‘What I Want To Say But Never Will’ has given all the young people involved in SIYT the idea of what it would be like to say exactly how we feel. Through workshops and rehearsal it has become clear that this is now an alien concept to many people, something reserved only for a forum such as this. What is it you want to say? Why? To whom? They seem to be questions isolated only for a brief moment on the stage. Although the words you will hear tonight are not those of our performers, the truth we found in them is real.
To me the title of this play poses a question to the performer; presenting a challenge that our amazing cast of young people have treated with the passion and respect each one of these accounts deserves. But it also poses questions to you the audience. What is it you just heard? Why was it said? Are you listening?
This production has also seen the return of Mark Dominy to SIYT as Co- Director for the 2012/13 season. His work already received glittering reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a number of personal awards. It has been a marvellous experience to work with Mark and hopefully you will agree that SIYT have produced a show that offers something new and fresh for our performers and our audiences.
Based on student responses and directed by Tyler Mortimer and Mark Dominy, What I Want to Say But Never Will explores this simple but intimate question, offering a glimpse into teenagers' most private thoughts. Funny, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, romantic - SIYT present a 90 minute emotional roller-coaster that will also be their Edinburgh Fringe 2013 production.
“The young know how truly difficult and dreadful youth can be. Their youth is wasted on everyone else, that's the horror. The young have no authority, no respect.”
Anne Rice
What comes to mind when you think of the word “Youth”? It’s an interesting question and when you consider the answer it does seem more and more that we are growing into an age where the word “youth” conjures up volatile images, negative stereotypes. The platform on which young people are allowed to speak has been turned into a pedestal by our media, one foot in the wrong direction can lead to great falls. Risk, it seems, has become a word that we whisper; opinions things perceived as underdeveloped; while honesty has become a note that can be summed up in 140 characters or less.
Having been involved with SIYT as a member and as a volunteer for some time, I have had a place where I could speak freely, allowing me to develop my opinions through creative thinking and understanding. I remember growing up thinking that when I became 18, I would suddenly become an adult and treated as such. However, at the age of 24, I still have this label of a “young” person. What is that supposed to mean? When do I become respected? An adult? Maybe that is why this question came about?
What would I want to say? It is a question I found myself asking a lot throughout our rehearsals for this play. Worryingly, the only answer that came to me was why would I want to say anything? It’s easy to be told what you are by the media or politicians, but all young people are being tarred with the same brush. Their voice is quiet and generally ignored. It’s the practice of “do not speak unless spoken to” in its modern context. So we present tonight a platform for the voice of the young, where real issues can be addressed, observed and understood. More shocking perhaps, is that in today’s age our young people often feel more comfortable to associate with the label society has given them rather than being themselves.
‘What I Want To Say But Never Will’ has given all the young people involved in SIYT the idea of what it would be like to say exactly how we feel. Through workshops and rehearsal it has become clear that this is now an alien concept to many people, something reserved only for a forum such as this. What is it you want to say? Why? To whom? They seem to be questions isolated only for a brief moment on the stage. Although the words you will hear tonight are not those of our performers, the truth we found in them is real.
To me the title of this play poses a question to the performer; presenting a challenge that our amazing cast of young people have treated with the passion and respect each one of these accounts deserves. But it also poses questions to you the audience. What is it you just heard? Why was it said? Are you listening?
This production has also seen the return of Mark Dominy to SIYT as Co- Director for the 2012/13 season. His work already received glittering reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a number of personal awards. It has been a marvellous experience to work with Mark and hopefully you will agree that SIYT have produced a show that offers something new and fresh for our performers and our audiences.
BUGSY MALONE
Let the Custard fly! SIYT present the stage version of the outstanding 1976 musical film. Loosely based on events in Chicago from the early 1920s to 1931 during the Prohibition era, Alan Parker's script tells of the exploits of gangster Dandy Dan, inspired by big league criminals of the age like Al Capone and Bugs Moran and how they dramatized in cinema. With songs and a score written by Oscar winner Paul Williams, this will be something special.
The gangsters and their rapid-fire custard-shooting "splurge guns" antics hang out at Fat Sam's speakeasy, where chantuese Blousey Brown meets penniless boxing promoter Bugsy Malone. Can Blousey and Bugsy's love be requited - well possibly, but not without Fat Sam's girlfriend Tallulah trying to steal Bugsy first and plot that takes us on a journey through a melee of Custard.
Bugsy Malone was performed to sell-out audiences at the Burgess Hall in St. Ives on 18th - 21th July 2012
The gangsters and their rapid-fire custard-shooting "splurge guns" antics hang out at Fat Sam's speakeasy, where chantuese Blousey Brown meets penniless boxing promoter Bugsy Malone. Can Blousey and Bugsy's love be requited - well possibly, but not without Fat Sam's girlfriend Tallulah trying to steal Bugsy first and plot that takes us on a journey through a melee of Custard.
Bugsy Malone was performed to sell-out audiences at the Burgess Hall in St. Ives on 18th - 21th July 2012
St Ives Youth Theatre
St Ives youth theatre's production of Bugsy Malone has been a departure from the norm for SIYT in many ways. Simply the scale and cost of the show is a new challenge for us – fitting that we should take on our own Olympian feat in this of all years. We were able to begin rehearsals in March to really get stuck into the necessary preparations. However, this challenge has been very much meet by the cast and company alike. We have been very lucky to be able to draw on the expertise of professionals that have offered a range of skills required from operatic singing to dance and a whole range of performance skills. As rehearsals have progressed, there has been a clear shift in momentum for our company.
The hard work of the SIYT team has been a huge support for me and the support from ex-SIYT members has been fantastic. Kate Newman has been the guiding hand behind the amazing choreography that knits the show together and we hope that you will be looking out for her in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics as she performs with the National Youth Theatre. The financial challenge of funding a professional set has been aided by the vital fundraising of Toni Butt, who skydived for the first time, and Sam Burke who took part in the Pathfinder Walk (a gruelling 46 mile trek). You also find ex-SIYT members working backstage and in Front of House which is a brilliant support to the company.
You may have also seen in the local press (and hopefully taken part in) our Pie Fight to help celebrate the passing of the Olympic torach through St. Ives. This was amazing fun for all involved and really helped towards the show itself.
But as always, the most important aspect of this show (as with all of our productions) is the amazing group of young people who you have been kind enough to support by buying a ticket for the performances. It is hard for me to put into words how significant and welcome a part of my life SIYT has become. We all very much hope that when you left the Burgess Hall (like us)..... “Buzzing for Bugsy”.
The hard work of the SIYT team has been a huge support for me and the support from ex-SIYT members has been fantastic. Kate Newman has been the guiding hand behind the amazing choreography that knits the show together and we hope that you will be looking out for her in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics as she performs with the National Youth Theatre. The financial challenge of funding a professional set has been aided by the vital fundraising of Toni Butt, who skydived for the first time, and Sam Burke who took part in the Pathfinder Walk (a gruelling 46 mile trek). You also find ex-SIYT members working backstage and in Front of House which is a brilliant support to the company.
You may have also seen in the local press (and hopefully taken part in) our Pie Fight to help celebrate the passing of the Olympic torach through St. Ives. This was amazing fun for all involved and really helped towards the show itself.
But as always, the most important aspect of this show (as with all of our productions) is the amazing group of young people who you have been kind enough to support by buying a ticket for the performances. It is hard for me to put into words how significant and welcome a part of my life SIYT has become. We all very much hope that when you left the Burgess Hall (like us)..... “Buzzing for Bugsy”.
The Pie Fight
The spectacular, spadazzling, stupendous, St Ives Youth Theatre are promoting their new production of Bugsy Malone by holding a Guiness World Record attempt! Come along to Slepe Hall field, St Ives on July 8th to do your bit to raise funds for an incredible local charity.
We are attempting to SMASH the current World Record for a Custard Pie Fight by getting at least 250 people to throw 750 pies. For £10 per person, you will guarantee yourself entry into this amazing once in a lifetime event. Not only that, we will provide you with a custard-proof SIYT poncho (snazzy) and not one, but TWO, hear me TWO highly projectile, slightly less aerodynamic, splatastic custard pies. These weapons of MESS destruction are sure to be a HIT with your friends and family, so why not invite them along?
And...
Despite pouring rain, committed custard pie fighters braved the awful weather to take part in not the biggest, but possibly the messiest event to celebrate the passing through of the Olympic Torch through St. Ives.
The final event of St. Ives Town Council’s Silly Games, 109 loons donned ponchos and threw 40 litres of custard and 50 litres of cream at each other. The wet conditions made the carefully assembled pies incredibly sloppy which only added to the mayhem and the fantastic time had by all. The event was organised by St Ives Youth Theatre to promote the then upcoming production of ‘Bugsy Malone’ later in the month.
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Rehearsals
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Performance
Nearly 800 people saw SIYT's run of Bugsy Malone. In the 2 weeks before the show, over 3,200 in nearly 20 countries around the world were following our updates on the SIYT.
Our attempt on the Pie Fight record involved 80 litres of custard and 50 litres of cream. SIYT committed to a budget of £10,000 to make this show happen. If you missed it or loved it, catch our videos on the Bugsy Malone webpage.
To all the fantastic people who helped us make it happen and to the many, many people that graced our audience - thank you. You give a little love and it all comes back to you.
Our attempt on the Pie Fight record involved 80 litres of custard and 50 litres of cream. SIYT committed to a budget of £10,000 to make this show happen. If you missed it or loved it, catch our videos on the Bugsy Malone webpage.
To all the fantastic people who helped us make it happen and to the many, many people that graced our audience - thank you. You give a little love and it all comes back to you.
A Midsummer Nights Dream
Following their highly praised production of Romeo and Juliet in 2009, SIYT return to Shakespeare and his gloriously lyrical piece weaving the themes of love, dreams and imagination.
Midsummer is a complex story of two sets of couples (Hermia & Lysander, Helena & Demetrius) whose romantic cross-purposes are complicated by their entrance into the fairyland woods where the King and Queen of the Fairies (Oberon and Titania) preside and the impish folk character of Puck or Robin Goodfellow plies his trade. Another set of characters—Bottom the weaver and his bumptious band of "rude mechanicals"—stumble into the main doings when they go into the same enchanted woods to rehearse a play. Midsummer will be directed by Tyler Mortimer.
This was performed at the Corn Exchange in St. Ives between 9th - 12th March 2011
Midsummer is a complex story of two sets of couples (Hermia & Lysander, Helena & Demetrius) whose romantic cross-purposes are complicated by their entrance into the fairyland woods where the King and Queen of the Fairies (Oberon and Titania) preside and the impish folk character of Puck or Robin Goodfellow plies his trade. Another set of characters—Bottom the weaver and his bumptious band of "rude mechanicals"—stumble into the main doings when they go into the same enchanted woods to rehearse a play. Midsummer will be directed by Tyler Mortimer.
This was performed at the Corn Exchange in St. Ives between 9th - 12th March 2011
William Shakespeare - (1564 –1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard". His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive, and there has been considerable speculation about his sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the nineteenth century. His plays remain highly popular today and are constantly performed and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive, and there has been considerable speculation about his sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the nineteenth century. His plays remain highly popular today and are constantly performed and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.
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Bang bang you're dead.
Performed in the Black Theatre, Burgess Hall St. Ives in March 2010.
"Bang Bang You're Dead" is a one act play written by William Mastrosimone to raise awareness of school violence and its causes. The plot focuses on a high school student who murders his parents and five classmates. The play was performed over 15,000 times in the first three years after its publication.
Bang Bang You're Dead was written in the wake of three school shootings: Thurston High School (Springfield, Oregon) in May 1998, Heath High School (Paducah, Kentucky) in December 1997, and Westside Middle School (Jonesboro, Arkansa) in March 1998. The names of the cities in which these shootings took place are echoed multiple times within the script. The tragedy most significant to the play was the the shooting at Thurston High School. The play, based strongly on the events that surrounded this particular school shooting, premiered at Thurston. It was performed by Thurston students, some of whom had been wounded in the shooting by Kip Kinkel.
"Bang Bang You're Dead" is a one act play written by William Mastrosimone to raise awareness of school violence and its causes. The plot focuses on a high school student who murders his parents and five classmates. The play was performed over 15,000 times in the first three years after its publication.
Bang Bang You're Dead was written in the wake of three school shootings: Thurston High School (Springfield, Oregon) in May 1998, Heath High School (Paducah, Kentucky) in December 1997, and Westside Middle School (Jonesboro, Arkansa) in March 1998. The names of the cities in which these shootings took place are echoed multiple times within the script. The tragedy most significant to the play was the the shooting at Thurston High School. The play, based strongly on the events that surrounded this particular school shooting, premiered at Thurston. It was performed by Thurston students, some of whom had been wounded in the shooting by Kip Kinkel.
Video
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Rehearsals
William Mastrosimone
(born August 19, 1947) is an American playwright and screenwriter from Trenton, New Jersey. His plays include The Woolgather, Extremities, Shivaree and Cat's Paw. He also wrote Bang Bang You're Dead, which can be downloaded from the Internet and performed by students for free. Other plays include The Afghan Women and Nanawatai, upon which the film The Beast of War is based. Two recent plays are Sleepwalk, a story again focusing on the traumas of modern teenage life, and Dirty Business, a play about a party girl caught between the mafia and the newly elected President of the United States. His screenwriting credits include Into the West and the adaptation of his play Extremities. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Bang, Bang You're Dead and was nominated for a Prime Time Emmy for Into the West and The Burning Season.
Mastrosimone wrote the first draft while troubled by a recent event at his son's school, in which an anonymous classmate of his son wrote a message on a chalkboard, threatening to kill his classmates and his teacher. The premier of Bang, Bang, You're Dead! was met with some criticism and controversy as well as praise and even endorsement. Some locals were hostile towards the production at first, finding the title to be “irreverent” towards those affected by the recent shooting.
Many thought that Mastrosimone was using the recent tragedies to “cash in” and make a profit from the play, unaware that Mastrosimone would be collecting no royalties from performances (the piece is available for free download and performance without royalty - one reason it's been performed so often). The principle of Thurston High School received many calls “mostly hostile and frequently 'from people who don't know anything about it' ”. Bang, Bang,You're Dead!, was immediately endorsed by the Ribbon of Promise, a group dedicated to nonviolence in schools, formed in Springfield after the shooting. According to Mastrosimone, it “is a drama to be performed by kids, for kids” for free.
Mastrosimone wrote the first draft while troubled by a recent event at his son's school, in which an anonymous classmate of his son wrote a message on a chalkboard, threatening to kill his classmates and his teacher. The premier of Bang, Bang, You're Dead! was met with some criticism and controversy as well as praise and even endorsement. Some locals were hostile towards the production at first, finding the title to be “irreverent” towards those affected by the recent shooting.
Many thought that Mastrosimone was using the recent tragedies to “cash in” and make a profit from the play, unaware that Mastrosimone would be collecting no royalties from performances (the piece is available for free download and performance without royalty - one reason it's been performed so often). The principle of Thurston High School received many calls “mostly hostile and frequently 'from people who don't know anything about it' ”. Bang, Bang,You're Dead!, was immediately endorsed by the Ribbon of Promise, a group dedicated to nonviolence in schools, formed in Springfield after the shooting. According to Mastrosimone, it “is a drama to be performed by kids, for kids” for free.