Theatre
The Edge
Young people from across Bristol come together for this immersive promenade performance at Arnolfini.
The Edge is a live show that shines the light on the reality of reality TV, the power the glory and the struggle and dedication it takes to be famous using only your talent. It explores the issues raised by reality TV, and the darker side of a format that entertains millions.
Will the contestants be happy to sign their lives away, to be judged and ridiculed for who they are? Will they play the game and in return be happy? Will their talent be enough?
is needed now More than ever
Informed by one performer’s own life experience, The Edge tells the tale of aspiring performers as they battle it out on a reality TV talent show. A show within a show, it will be filmed and streamed live, giving the audience an opportunity to vote for their favourite performers through the Edge app.
Commissioned by Creative Youth Network, and created by young people from across Bristol, the company has worked with writer Edson Burton to bring young people’s voices and stories of their experiences with reality TV to the fore. Featuring young dancers from Rise Youth Dance, singers from Studio 7 and an incredible company of young professional actors from Creative Youth Network, The Edge is written, produced, designed and performed by young people aged 10 – 25 years old, including students from Bath Spa University who will film and stream it live.
“For some, reality TV is harmless escapism and great entertainment, but it can also take a heavy toll as Polly, who plays Lucy in The Edge, explains; ‘I took part in a reality TV show when I was 15 and I had a horrible experience. I was made to feel awful and then the horrid comments from the judges were edited out of the final show so it didn’t show the reality.
‘The Edge is so topical and definitely a story people need to see and hear.’
“As reality TV and social media play an ever more prominent role in shaping the expectations of young people and their journey to success, Creative Youth Network has worked with a number of young people who have first and second hand stories of the highs, and more often, the lows of being a participant on these kinds of shows. Giving young people the opportunity to explore and shape their own narrative around the ‘fame machine’ has been challenging and enlightening in equal measures, and poses real questions for the creators of reality TV about their responsibilities for those taking part.”
Oct 30-Nov 1, 7-9pm, Arnolfini, pay what you can £1-£20. Performances are fully accessible and suitable for ages 11+.
For more info, visit www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/Event/the-edge
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