A UNIQUE drama project which hopes to encourage Vale teenagers to take to the stage following their studies has been launched.
Rather than take part in a big musical production, rehearsed over several months, Eric Jones has invited Evesham teenagers to finish their A level exams and celebrate with a performance.
His idea is for the group to meet up to look at some scripts and readings, some music and songs and a comedy pieces – then rehearse as intensively as possible before going onto perform at three or four local venues, all by the end of July.
Eric hopes this unique project will allow teenagers to explore their creative sides while leaving the summer free for holidays and university preparations.
Since moving to Evesham in 2006 Eric has directed a good deal of amateur drama including Sweeney Todd the Musical at the Arts Centre last September and The Importance of Being Earnest which toured four different small theatres last summer.
“This is a totally new idea, getting young people together who have all been in recent bigger productions, presenting ideas, readings, a bit of Shakespeare, some songs and comedy pieces, as well as a complete sitcom script and learning it from scratch, then performing it publicly all within a month,” he said.
BBC TV writers Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais have given their personal permission for the group to do one episode of Porridge, one of TV’s most iconic and well-loved comedies, which will form the second half of the evening called Whatever Next.
Subject to final confirmation performances will be at the Lifford Hall, Broadway on July 24 and at Peopleton Village Hall on July 31.
Two further shows are being proposed for later that same month either in Evesham or at a surrounding village.
Tickets will be just £6, call Eric on 01386 48788 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
