Summer is in full swing now and the Youth Theatre and Young Actors Company are taking a well earned break after a jam-packed July full of shows and events.

The Youth Theatre (13-21) and the Young Actors Company (17-25) are the heart of the work 20 Stories High create and meet weekly for workshops with industry professionals.

We kicked off the first week of July with the Young Actors’ performance of HEADZ, written by Keith Saha and directed by Jim Pope. The fourth outing of HEADZ, our collection of gritty, urban monologues, was performed in the beautiful surroundings of Liverpool Central Library and showcased three new stories (DATES, WEED and FARM) in preparation for the national tour community and non-arts venues in the autumn.

The following week saw the Youth Theatre performing their own piece In Time. Based on themes they discussed in their early sessions with director Kate Cotterrell (Altru Drama),  the show was devised by the company and explored the time pressures that young people feel in their lives. Performing at The Florrie, the Youth Theatre brought this electric piece of theatre to life with energy, stunning melodies, booming baselines and real 20 Stories High spirit.

The groups also shared their work with other youth theatres over at Burnley Youth Theatre at an incredible youth theatre exchange, which offered youth theatres from across the North West a chance to share skills, stories and expertise with one another.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making both shows happen and to everyone who came along to show your support… and also to Youth Theatre alumni Bradley Thompson who stepped up to the plate as Musical Director for In Time.