by dennis kelly
Welcome everyone to the CYCC Spring shows which celebrate the talents and skills of the participants who attend our weekly sessions.
This year in my introduction I would like to draw your attention to Youth Theatre and its importance in young people’s lives. Curve took part in the National Youth Theatre Census 2024, drawing together the many groups operating across the country and reflecting on the huge contribution this sector offers. The census looked at the variety of mediums being delivered, the pressure points experienced, and the overall impact it has on young people and the freelance practitioners. To find out more see details below.
At Curve we are proud to be part of a community that provides safe and brave spaces for our young people to nurture their interest and passion for the arts, by sharing the skills and experiences of professional artists, practitioners and youth theatre leaders.
We recognise Youth Theatre is more than just a vehicle to prepare this and the next generation of performers but also provides an abundance of essential transferable skills. When researching a chosen text, play or genre of music to choreograph a dance, practitioners with their young people explore historical context, origins, timelines, social and cultural aspects that gives them an understanding of why this piece was chosen and its relevance to all of us and our communities today. This process builds empathy and knowledge of ourselves, society and the world we live in. It helps them to build relationships with others and a chance to think, breathe, take time to understand themselves and claim a sense of belonging.
Therefore it goes beyond performance skills, it is an inclusive practice that gives access, opportunities and a cultural voice to everyone, no matter what the background.
You may remember your own experiences in the arts, from that initial spark or introduction, to what you were or weren’t offered at school, to any barriers you may or may not have faced or to the opportunities offered, those taken up or not. Some of our young people will have overcome considerable barriers to be on stage in front of you tonight. This is a moment to celebrate the amazing talent you see in the shows, and what the young people have achieved and gained from participating with others.
Let’s celebrate how resourceful the sector is and how powerfully it employs a variety of creative strategies that help to support mental health and wellbeing.
Thank you for all you do to support your young people and enable them to experience CYCC.
I applaud the young people’s and the practitioners for their hard work and wiliness to share their creative and artistic endeavours with us, today. Enjoy the show!
Lorrine Douglas Schools and Partnerships Manager
CYCC Act THE CHANGING ROOM
Almost as soon as the last Act 10-13 show was finished, I knew that I wanted this year’s play to be ‘ensemble’ in style, a chance to really utilise the uniqueness that having 24 company members offers. I was drawn to Chris Bush’s vivid, poetic language and the way The Changing Room captures the intensity of teenage experience.
Set in the metaphorical world of a swimming pool, it explores the exhilaration, fear, and pressure of growing up—of trying to stay afloat in a world that demands you move in perfect synchronicity. The themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery feel as relevant today as ever.
For young people today, the pressure to fit in is overwhelming. Social media, school, friendships—every aspect of life is a performance, a difficult balancing act between being part of the crowd and carving out an identity. This play highlights that struggle, showing both the safety of the collective and the isolation of being different. Our hope is that audiences see their own experiences reflected and leave feeling a little less alone.
I want to thank our incredible cast- their creativity, commitment, and courage in bringing this piece to life has been remarkable. The Technical team and Creative Programmes team at Curve, for their dedication and passion. As well as Octavia for collaborating with me on this one, Joe Coy for arranging the brilliant (and annoyingly catchy!) songs you are about to hear. Finally, to our audience, family and friends—thank you for your support. I hope you are ready to ‘dive right in’ with us.
And to the young people performing tonight: Keep chasing the pigeons.
Kitty Benford Lead Practitioner
Cast of THE CHANGING ROOM
Aaron Johnson-Muskwe
Abi Sterland
Alan Dwojak
Aylona Scott
Bethany Taylor
Biz Line
Daisy Curran
Harry Duffin
Hayden Sykes
Isaac Tattum
Izzy Faulkner
Junior Wunsch
Kaydon Jones
Meeraj Patel
Milan Pujara
Miriam Hart
Mythili Pancholi
Orla O’Riordan
Roshni Field
Sahara Maniar
Sienna Corley
Sophie Sturgess
Sylvia Birks
THE CREATIVE TEAM
PRACTITIONER AND DIRECTOR: Kitty Bedford and Octavia Nyombi
MUSIC: Joe Coy
COSTUME AND PROPS: Edd Lindley, Rachel Matthews, Jenni Tebbutt and CYCC Group members.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Ashley Holdom, Rhys Parker and Angel Rossell de Pablos
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER: Elliott Mitchell
CHAPERONE: Helen McClaren-Frost, Hannah Willars and Rebecca Willis
BSL INTERPRETER: Emma Phillips
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Justin Gladwin
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathan Pryke
CYCC Act
DNA
DNA is a modern, gritty play with moments of dark humour that our young people have really enjoyed getting their teeth into.
DNA is a play that examines the consequences of actions, wrestles with moral ambiguity and social responsibility, and explores the lengths people will go to to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. It reflects the growing awareness that we as a society are faced with: that our actions (or our inactions) have far-reaching consequences. The characters’ sense of alienation and their desperate attempts to fit in mirror the growing prevalence today of social isolation and anxiety, particularly among young people.
DNA is set in a timeless present; we have aimed to make the cast and set look as ambiguous as possible; with no brand names or fashion choices that can fix the play in a particular time or location. In this way we hope to impress upon our audience that the events of DNA could happen anywhere; maybe they are happening in your community right now.
During our rehearsal process, our young people have begun to think in much more depth about the secret lives of everyday people: what might be going on at home to influence the decisions of Jan and Mark, or Richard and Cathy? By exploring the themes in the play they are more aware of the intense pressures of group dynamics, and how impulsive choices can have consequences beyond our immediate circles.
By holding a mirror to the darker aspects of human nature, we hope that DNA will prompt audiences to reflect on their own moral compass and the complexities of the world around them.
Jenny Bradbury
Lead Practitioner and Director
Cast of DNA
Alana McCarthy
Annabel Rashleigh
Connie Fitzpatrick
Daniel Pallett
Diya Jethwa
Edith Robinson-Wright
Bella Laming-Harmer
Jasmine Darlison
Joshua Samuel Kassie Pittock-Holdsworth
Lena Witek
Liam Daniels
Maggie Hewins
Liv Graham
Robert Stoica
Rumbi McLeod-Markee
Sam Burton
Sophie May
Tvisha Chauhan
THE CREATIVE TEAM
PRACTITIONER AND DIRECTOR: Jenny Bradbury and Ted Orme
COSTUME AND PROPS: Edd Lindley, Rachel Matthews, Jenni Tebbutt and CYCC Group members.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Ashley Holdom, Rhys Parker and Angel Rossell de Pablos
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER: Elliott Mitchell
CHAPERONE: Helen McClaren-Frost, Hannah Willars and Rebecca Willis
BSL INTERPRETER: Emma Phillips
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Justin Gladwin
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathan Pryke
CURVE YOUNG COMMUNITY COMPANY
Our Curve Young Community Company (CYCC) is for young people aged 5 – 19 years with an interest and passion for performing arts.
Our members meet regularly at Curve to develop their skills, have fun, make new friends, and develop their understanding of the industry alongside professional artists and creative teams. Participants also have the opportunity to perform on our stages in productions and be involved in special events at Curve and as part of our Made at Curve productions. Our Curve Youth and Community Companies (CYCC) are open to all and there are opportunities for every level of experience.
Monday CYCC Act School Years 10-13
Tuesday CYCC Act School Years 7-9
Wednesday CYCC Act School Years 10-13
Thursday CYCC Dance Elevate
Thursday CYCC Dance Enhance
Thursday CYCC Technical and Backstage
Friday CYCC Act School Years 7-9
Saturday CYCC Musical Theatre 7-9 & 10-13
Saturday CYCC Kids 1-2, 3-4 & 5-6
Thank you to Rosie Boxall for her brilliant CYCC administration for the show.