Our very first Youth Theatre Show!
Dark Star Rising was 20 Stories High’s first youth theatre show in collaboration with Liverpool Hip-Hop organisation Urbeatz and Young Kof. Working with 26 young people mainly from Kensington, Toxteth, Picton and surrounds areas. Dark Star Rising was a Hip-Hop musical which explored what it was like to be a young person in Liverpool.
Tackling issues such as gun and knife crime with compassion, in a non-sensationalised way. The group gave an outstanding energy, honesty and commitment to the six-month rehearsal period and succeeding performances.
Dark Star Rising was chosen as one of the 12 National pilot projects for the Arts Council England’s Young Peoples Participatory Theatre Project.
Cast
Marcus – Sam Ikpeh
Panther/dancer – Adam Martin
Cole (Marcus’s best friend) – Kofi Owusu
Jay (Marcus’s brother) – Adam Robson
Lacey (Marcus’ sister) – Youth Theatre Member
Stah (Marcus’ sister) – Paisleigh Bi
Leah (Marcus’ girlfriend) – Ellis Wilson
Brianna – Brodie Arthur
Coley Ray – Jessica McDonald
Shenaya – Talitha McConville
Kirsty – Stevi
Bizzy – Javea Young
Faye – Steph Fletcher-Goudie
Laila – Annie Mukete
Larssia – Odile Mukete
Tom – Ben Caulfield
D – Alex Shaw
Faith – Anita Welsh
Belinda (Faith’s mum) – Tosin Akindele
Callum (Faith’s brother) – Keith Rice
Shell McGee – Adi Alfa
Naomi (Shell’s daughter) – Imani Thompson
Melody – Becky Langton
Bill (Melody’s brother) – Mark Taylor
Lee (Melody’s brother) – Owen Jones
Creative Team
Directors – Julia Samuels and Keith Saha
Designer – Chris Murray
Musical Directors – Keith Saha and Kofi Owusu
Lighting Designer – Hannah Whitfield
Additional Lyrics – Young Kof, MC Sly, Future and the company
Production Team
Stage Manager – Maria Baker
Youth Theatre Co-ordinator – Anisa Saleh
Evaluation Co-ordinator – Tessa Buddle
Admin & Finance Manager – Nicki Green