Next Stage Youth Shine at Mid-Somerset Drama Festival 2020
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Next Stage Youth Company and their tutors
Next Stage Youth entered four classes in the 2020 Mid-Somerset Drama Festival. Two groups were entered in the Year 9 and Under class, and two in the 19 years and Under class. All groups received constructive and positive feedback on their performances, which won the Youth Company: one first place, two second places and a third place. Well done NSYouthers!
19 Years and Under
Group A - Henry Skinner as Jake, Keira Barry as Polly and Rosie Kelly as Natasha - performed an extract from the opening of Sparkleshark by Philip Ridley. This is a powerful play in which the cut and thrust of teenage moods and conflicts is captured in vivid and compelling dialogue. The actors were praised for demonstrating good relationships between characters, and for giving an excellent contrast of moods. The constant change of emotions were a challenge, but this group didn’t fail in performing an excellent piece which was commended and awarded first place with the Crisp Cowley trophy.
Group B - Georges Boutin as Martin Dysart, Harry Lewis as Alan Strang, Catherine Jones as Hester and Eve Howard as The Nurse - performed an extract from the opening of Equus by Peter Shaffer. A disturbing play, the young actors performed the opening 10 minutes with total conviction. Harry as Alan Strang, a young boy who has been arrested for blinding six horses, gave a particularly powerful portrayal of the disturbed teenager, with Georges convincing as Dysart. Equus is a difficult play to perform, however this group worked hard and produced a tight ensemble piece. They came second and received a commended certificate.
Year 9 and under
Group A - Nia Dauncey as Boy, Alicia Corripio-Dieppe as Grandmama, Joshua Frere as Bruno, Lily Pollard as The Grand High Witch, Sophia Punt as Mrs Jenkins and Isabella Wood as The Doorman - performed scenes from The Witches by Roald Dahl. A number in this group were new to NSY and all of the tutors were impressed by the strength of their performances. The adjudicator commented on a “well shaped and well-rehearsed” piece and awarded the group 3rd place and a commended certificate.
Group B - William Heaton as Will, Max Leming as Zach, Georgia Grobler as Carrie, Tom Pegler as Vic and Lily Chapman as Miss Thorne and Mrs Beech - performed Good Night Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. The 10 minute extract took the audience to the end of Act I, where the happy mood of the evacuees mixing with friends in a village during World War II suddenly takes a dark turn when one of them is told he must return to London. The adjudicator commented on the group’s ‘vocal range, strong grouping and effective atmosphere with a very strong ending’. The group were proud to be awarded Next Stage Youth’s only Distinction this year.
Congratulations to all our young competitors on a good rehearsal process since January and mature, convincing performances.
