Written by Polly Ferguson-Carruthers
Going to the theatre is an exciting experience for young adults. It exposes them to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, while also providing them with an opportunity to appreciate performing arts. It can provide them with a range of educational, emotional, and social benefits that can enrich their lives. Recently, I had the pleasure of organising two theatre trip for our Theatre Buddies programme, over the Easter Half Term, for our DAS Tuesday and Wednesday groups, and what an incredible experience it was for all involved!
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS – The Princess Theatre – Torquay – April 2023
(Image Description: Picture of the opening stage. A blue screen with the word Fisherman’s Friends written in large font on the stage. There a six fish on the image with two singing into microphones.)
(Image Description: DAS standing front of large ice-cream statue and doughnut stand. Lots of smiling and posing for the camera.)
DAS Wednesday seniors selected Fisherman’s Friends due to it’s film popularity, it’s local roots & the fun music. Fisherman’s Friends is a delightful mix of storytelling, music, and comedy, with a talented cast of actors and musicians who bring the story of fisherman sharing their traditional songs outside the beautiful coastline of Cornwall. The set design is simple yet effective, transporting the audience to the rugged coastlines and quaint fishing villages of Cornwall.
(Image Description: 7 DAS members standing in front of the Fisherman’s Friends poster posing for the camera. Lots of smiling and hand poses.)
We had the pleasure of watching the opening night of the show which filled the air with energy and excitement. All the seats were filled and The Princess Theatre had organised a local Sea Shanty group to sing for the public on arrival and during the interval, which added a special element to the evening.
(Image Description: 9 male singers and 1 person dressed in a large fisherman’s children outfit. The 9 male singers are standing outside the Princess Theatre singing sea shanties. There are members of the public standing around watching them.)
The group we took absolutely loved the performance with each of them giving it a rating of 1000 out of 10! They were clapping, singing along and allowed themselves to get swept up with the enjoyment of what a show can do to an audience member when performed well. Here are just a few quote from our young people:
‘I loved the songs, it was so much fun. I didn’t even no half of the songs but the actors made me want to sing along with them.’
‘The set was really cool. It was clever how they had the boat on stage how they made it move, so it looked like a real boat at sea. That was clever’.
‘I loved the story. I’ve seen the film and this is so much better. The songs were so good’.
‘The women’s voices were beautiful. I’d love to be able to sing like that one day’.
‘ So much fun. This is the best show I’ve ever seen! More shows like this please!’.
(Image Description: 7 DAS participants taking a selfie with two lead practitioners from Doorstep Arts. Everyone is smiling).
Heathers The Musical – Theatre Royal Plymouth – April 2023
(Image Description: Picture of the opening stage for the Heathers the Musical. The stage has a screen with Westerberg High School logo projected onto a fabric wall. There is a large W in the middle of the sign, with a red diamond around it.)
Firstly, this Theatre Buddies trip wouldn’t have happened without the support and understanding from Sara Rhodes at Theatre Royal Plymouth. After I contacted Sara about our new programme (Theatre Buddies) and our determination to support young adults getting to the theatre more, she kindly gifted Doorstep 20 complimentary tickets for the show ‘Heathers the Musical’. Some of our young adults hadn’t been outside of Torbay before, let along watched a show in a 1,300 seat theatre. This was a special trip for many of them for varied reasons; from either travelling to a city independently, going to Plymouth for the first time, visiting Theatre Royal for the first time or watching a show with peers and not family, to meeting the cast members backstage!!!! Lots of firsts for many. There was multiple levels of accessibility to make this trip happen which we did and were thrilled about.
(Image Description: Two DAS participations standing with actor from Heathers The Musical. Actor played JD).
What was the show about?
“Heathers: The Musical” is a high-energy production that is based on the popular 1980s film “Heathers”. The musical tells the story of Veronica Sawyer, a high school student who becomes involved with a popular clique known as the Heathers. However, as she grows disillusioned with their behaviour, she must confront the toxic culture of high school popularity and navigate the challenges of adolescence.
(Image Description: Two DAS participants siting in the Theatre Royal auditorium. Both smiling and have the thumbs up.)
DAS Tuesday seniors chose this show as it was relevant to their ages, they loved the songs that we briefly listened to in sessions. & they were interested in how the show was able to tackle complex subjects such as bullying, suicide, gun crime and mental health all set in a school environment. The show did exactly that whilst ensuring there was a comical element throughout.
Here are just few reviews from the seniors after watching the show:
‘ The lighting is insane. I love how they used different lighting to represent each mean girl characters’.
‘It’s gloriously inappropriate’.
‘My favourite line….’Listen up bitch’.’
‘The songs were so funny. My favourite was ‘I love my dead gay son’.’
‘ I can’t believe I met the main actor from the show after. That was so cool, I will never forget that moment.’
‘The costume transformation was gob-smacking’.
‘It’s really fun but there were a lot of sexual scenes. Never seen anything like this before.’
‘This show was so funny and sad at the same time’.
(Image Description: Picture of 5 DAS seniors siting on a train traveling to Plymouth. Some participants have thumbs up and some thumbs down.)
One of the strengths of “Heathers: The Musical” is its ability to address serious issues such as bullying, suicide, and mental health in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The show is not afraid to confront the darker aspects of school culture, and it does so with sensitivity and humour. From attending this show, we discussed at DAS the importance of sometimes sitting with uncomfortable theatre shows and how it can be a catalyst for sparking new conversations and promoting social change. When we watch a play or performance that makes us feel uncomfortable, we are forced to confront difficult topics and engage with issues that we may have previously avoided, ignored or not thought about before.
(Image description: Close up shot of DAS male participant holding the Heathers programme and wearing a Heathers cap).
Doorstep are planning their next Theatre Buddies trip for the Summer and Autumn Term, here are a few that we are looking at: Six, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, 42nd Street, Aladdin, Shrek & Edward Scissorhands.’ It’s really important that our young adults have a say in the shows we attend and we can keep giving them this opportunity.
We believe that taking young adults to the theatre can certainly inspire and encourage them to develop skills and knowledge in theatre production, performance, and innovation. By experiencing theatre first-hand, young adults can gain a better understanding of the art form, its history, and its various components. This critical thinking can also help them to develop new and innovative ideas for theatre productions.
Lets keeping giving them the opportunities to grow, to learn, to bloom!