"We've learnt how to create from nothing!" Shakerley Youth Drama Group Participant

“Its been an incredibly inspiring process watching the young people take an idea from concept to a full show, incorporating ideas for light, sound and spacing.” – Anthony Thilwind, Co-Facilitator

This March Shakerley Youth Drama Group created and performed their very own show PLUCKED, the culmination of 3 terms of weekly free drama workshops for children ages 7-13 at Shakerley Community Centre. Together with theatre makers Alex Haymes, Anthony Thilwind and Julia Wilson, 15 young people composed PLUCKED, a story of magic, community and chickens!

“I loved acting and watching the others act!” – Participant Feedback

Shakerley Youth Drama Group is a legacy project from the Royal Exchange Theatre’s LOCAL EXCHANGE programme. The Royal Exchange Theatre have been working in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley since 2019, working with local communities to celebrate and build arts and culture in, for and by local residents. With the support of our Ambassadors and Champions, we have been able to develop the Shakerley Youth Drama Group to invest in arts and culture provision for future generations.

Working with our young people over the last 5-6 months has been an incredible experience and it’s something that I’m very proud of. We’ve worked hard with these girls to build trust, develop friendships, and nurture a collaborative, creative approach to theatre. ‘Plucked’ was completely from their minds. Anthony, Julia and I simply worked to guide them where we could and to give them to tools to create something they could all be proud of. It’s been incredible to watch each of them grow in confidence and creativity each week!” Alex Haymes, Co-Facilitator

 

Cast:

Ava; Elsie; Eva; Keedie; Lily; Lola; Lydia; Maddison; Maya; Raya; Rose; Skye; Sofia; Summer. B; Summer. G.

Creative Team

  • Directors: Alex Haymes & Anthony Thilwind
  • Dramaturg: Julia Wilson
  • Sound Designer: Amelia
  • Lighting Designer: April

 

We are delighted to have handed the project over to local theatre-makers Alex Haymes and Anthony Thilwind who are working to cement Shakerley Youth Drama Group as a long-term provision in the area, continuing the project as The Play About Theatre Company.

The Royal Exchange Theatre is dedicated to bringing incredible shared live experiences right to people’s doorsteps. Established in 2019, their pioneering LOCAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME has developed long-running creative partnerships across five areas of Greater Manchester. This wide-reaching community programme aims to develop long-lasting relationships between artists and communities, celebrating local talent and establishing paths to the arts for all residents.

This project was made possible by the generous support of Shakerley Community Centre and The Oglesby Charitable Trust.