The raw energy of the 13 to 16-year-olds on the stage of Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex, on Tuesday night was palpable. Young people from Thurrock had taken over the theatre and were on stage performing new songs, spoken word, break dancing and body popping with substantial audience encouragement.
They had been working with THEATRE IS… and Throwdown UK to take over the theatre and show off their talents in a slam night followed by a performance of a new piece of theatre they had developed having spoken to young Thurrock residents.
This is not a one-off, the show will tour and they plan to work together to programme positive activities for young people over the next two years. The project is one of those awarded the Inspire mark and is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the East of England.
In the four weeks I have now been back from maternity leave I’ve also met the calligrapher for the Beijing Games who is now giving workshops for young people across the East of England, and seen the launch of the Lap of Honour website, which was developed by training volunteers to create a multi-media archive of Suffolk’s sportspeople’s achievements.
It is truly heartening to see the Cultural Olympiad giving young people opportunities to help them fulfil their potential.
