Features / gender
Preview: Eclipse
Eclipse is a new play exploring young people’s views on adolescence, identity and gender.
Playwright Alice Nicholas has spent six months writing the play during a residency at the Creative Youth Network. After working in youth clubs in Bristol, the play has been inspired and guided by young people.
“The idea was to respond to the stories and themes that the young people I met were presenting to me and to then write a play that was authentic and inspired by these narratives. Gender and identity featured really prominently,” Alice explained.
is needed now More than ever
The production has been led by young people, with a youth steering group guiding the project and giving feedback to the cast and crew. The project has also given young people a chance to shadow the professional creative team in producing the play.
“The project has been a very active one – we’ve made lots of alterations in the rehearsal stages as we’ve brought the narratives to life,” Alice continued.
The Creative Youth Network work to tell stories of those young people and communities that are rarely represented, or often stereotyped. At the very core of Eclipse, is the concept of ‘gender as a performance’.
Shadow director Maddie Coward said: “It is important gender is explored through plays like Eclipse. I’m involved because Eclipse focuses on themes I have first-hand experience of. The play raises many important questions. Am I brave enough to be myself? Do I like my body and what do I do if I don’t?”
The play will also feature live music and dance. Emily Bull creative producer said, “Eclipse will be an immersive experience and create a visual tapestry of the intimate internal space we all inhabit”.
Eclipse will be at The Station, from April 24-26. Tickets are £5/£3 and available here. The performance on April 25 will be followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.
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