
Progressive Players Chairperson Marian Walker looks back on a very special new venture for the company.
If you put together twelve young people aged 10 to 14, a well-known local actor/writer, the Progressive Players and the Little Theatre Gateshead, what do you get?
Yes, it’s Showstoppers! The very first Progressive Players theatre summer school – and from that came an amazing piece of devised, scripted and improvised drama called The Aliens that Invaded Gateshead.
Showstoppers! took place from 31 July to 4 August, and what a marvellous week it was! Seeing 12 young, energetic and enthusiastic people working with actor David Raynor everyday was a real joy. His expertise as a drama practitioner and tutor enabled the youngsters to get to know each other and to trust each other quickly. His facilitation through games and drama activities allowed them to begin sharing ideas in order to develop a show which they would perform on the final afternoon of the week.
I’d forgotten how creative and off the wall youngsters can be!
First they were zombies, then outrageous ‘chavs’; they made up languages and tried out wildly exaggerated emotions; there was discussion about the environment and the future as they saw it.
Out of this emerged a twelve-scene script about aliens who come to Gateshead and are conned by the unscrupulous mayor and a businessman, but they end up saving the day for the people of Gateshead.
With simple costumes, props, sound and lights the 25-minute play was performed to around 40 family members and friends who were astonished at what had been achieved.
Throughout the week I overheard some wonderful comments which really made me smile. For example, when the idea of transforming the centre of Gateshead into an alien theme park was mooted one young voice piped up, “Well, let’s face it – it couldn’t be any worse could it?!!”.
Then there was the insight about getting into role and how it might affect your everyday life: it was lunchtime and through the quiet munching came:
“So…I’m choosing between turkey and cheese for my sandwich, and if I’m me I’d say turkey, but if I’m an alien I’d say cheese! Which do I bring? Which do I eat?”
Ah, the trials of method acting, eh?
By mid-week we began working on stage, and on seeing the white line at the front of the apron one youngster commented rather lyrically: “Ah, yes – that stops you from falling down into the darkness”, adding without a hint of irony, “That is so cool!”.
The Showstoppers! group was a breath of fresh air; all of them showed adaptability and talent, they were enthusiastic and open to ideas; they were able to get excited about simple new experiences – in fact they had the key to what making drama and theatre is all about; enjoyment!
I really hope we hold another summer school next year – I know this year’s lot would have signed up on the spot!