During the week of the August 10-14 groups of young people from Chester and Warrington collaborated to create two brand new pieces of theatre as part of the second year of the successful Lynk Cheshire project.

This year the young people from Minerva Youth Theatre and Express Youth Theatre based in Warrington, began their week with a trip around Chester City Centre, soaking up the history, stories and good weather to generate performance ideas around the theme of Faith and Trust.

Young people from Minerva Youth Theatre and Express Youth Theatre

This was followed by four days of intensive theatre making back in the group’s home venues. Throughout this week the group developed new skills and worked on performance techniques that were designed to push and challenge the performers.

Artistic director of Minerva Arts, Steph Brocken, said; “This project is really important for us and our young people as it not only enables them to work with new people and make new friends from across the county, but it allows them to develop their skills further than they do when taking part in regular Youth Theatre workshops. Working together intensively for a full week allows them to get a taste of what it is like to work in a professional company, a great and valuable experience.”

Lead tutor of Express Youth Theatre, Sammi Walsh, said: “The project this year has been a huge success. Our members have had the opportunities to meet new people, develop friendships and explore different avenues of performing. The two groups have created some exciting and innovative performances.”

Young people from Minerva Youth Theatre and Express Youth Theatre

On the final day of the project, the young people performed their pieces to an invited audience as well as having them filmed. This will be edited together to produce a short film containing work from both groups that will be screened in the Autumn.

One parent said: “We are so grateful we sent (our daughter) to this week’s workshop, we weren’t able to go away on holiday due to other circumstances but she has told us that she has had the best summer thanks to this week.”

Minerva Youth Theatre will be starting back in the Autumn term with their seniors group (for those aged 11-18) meeting every Wednesday at the Kingsway Buildings in Newton from 7-9pm and their seven-11 group meeting every Saturday at the Cheshire Military Museum from 10am-12.

Places are open and for more information on joining the group, you can visit their website www.minervaarts.com