Talented young people from the Mercury Youth Theatre will be taking part in an annual national festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools for the first time ever, with their production of Hospital Food.
The production will feature members aged 14-18 years old and is the Mercury’s exciting contribution to the Connections Festival. The Festival will also offer a choice of ten new plays for young people, all by some of the finest playwriting talent in the UK.
As the Youth Theatre’s entry, they have selected Irish playwright Eugene O’Hare’s play, which focuses on ten teenagers in a city hospital cancer unit, who form a friendship like no other when their shared illness bonds them together, revealing their hopes for the future whilst confronting the reality of living with cancer.
The teenagers all find sanctuary in The Retreat, a room where they can be away from adults and be without fear, where they can all share their worries and thoughts. What’s discussed in The Retreat stays in The Retreat.
Thomas Freeth, Learning and Participation Manager said: “We like to make sure that we offer the young actors we work with a challenge, to give them the opportunity to stretch themselves and develop their acting talent. Hospital Food has done exactly that. The actors have learnt how to illuminate a dark situation with the humor and humanity it requires to make it feel life-like. The group spent time with an ex-matron from a teenage cancer ward, to ensure that the way they present their characters takes into consideration the real concerns and issues facing teenagers with cancer. They were eager that we use the performances as a way of raising money and awareness of the essential work of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which is exactly what we’ll be doing at each show.”
The show, Hospital Food, will be transferred to The Garage performance venue in Norwich, in late April, following its performance at the Mercury Theatre, giving the young participants a chance to experience what it’s like to be part of a touring theatre production and to other groups’ plays.
National Theatre began 20 years ago when teachers and directors told the NT that they wanted exciting new plays for young actors and has since become a nationwide scheme. The Connections team select a number of groups to perform their play at the Royal National Theatre on London’s Southbank in the summer.
Teenage Cancer Trust create world-class cancer services for young people in the UK, providing life-changing care and support so young people don’t have to face cancer alone. Around seven young people aged 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. They need expert support and treatment from the moment they hear the word ‘cancer’.
Hospital Food will play in Mercury Theatre’s Studio Theatre from Thursday 19th February until Saturday 21st. Tickets are £6. The show is suitable for ages 14+ and contains strong language. Call 01206 573948 or visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk for more information, performance times and to book tickets.
< Back to the newsThe Mercury Theatre in Colchester is the most active producing theatre in the East of England, and is a vital centre of excellence in the East's growing crea...
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