THE Grosvenor Park Young Theatre Company - a group of 25 aspiring theatre professionals - are preparing to take to the stage in their very own production at the city’s highly acclaimed Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.
The unique initiative is run by city arts producers Chester Performs and offers young actors, writers, designers, directors and stage mangers from the local area the chance to create their very own production.
Over an intense three-week period, the full company will make use of the theatre’s set, costumes, props and expertise whilst working under the direction of Elisa Amesbury to produce and stage a one act play.
Young writer Olivia Hicks won the commission to pen the new play which takes inspiration from Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac .
Entitled Some Paradise , the play is set in 1902 on a beautiful Caribbean island and follows a band of love-sick poets as they attempt to woo the object of their affections with their most brilliant rhymes.
Olivia, age 20, said: “It has been amazing. It’s strange but brilliant to see the cast and crew taking a world which has only ever lived in your head and bringing it to life for an audience. Characters start to jump off the page, and as a writer, it’s a joy to see that happen."
Now in its third year, the project has gone from strength to strength and attracts a huge amount of applicants from across the region. Making use of the professional theatre’s expertise is a key part of the experience and the company of young actors and stage managers are each mentored by one of the theatre’s professional cast and crew.
Young actor Aiysha Nugent-Robinson, 21, is enjoying the experience so far. She said: “I’ve already learnt a lot, it’s opened my eyes to a lot of new techniques that I’ve not had a go at yet, which I’ll look into further when it’s finished. It’s already been a very inspiring experience."
And assistant director Sarah Gould, 21, added: “it’s a fantastic experience, I’ve learnt a lot about seeing acting from the other side by taking on an assistant director role, and I can’t wait for the performances."
Two public performances of Some Paradise will take place in the unique picnic theatre on Sunday, August 18 at 12.30pm and Monday, August 19 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £4 and are on sale now. To find out more about the project, including how to book, visit www.chesterperforms.com/youngtheatre
