Students become theatre critics

Students doing the Young Reporter Scheme have lots of additional opportunities given to them throughout the project.

Last year we worked with a number of theatres around the capital and students were given free tickets to view and write up about the productions. This was a great opportunity; a free night out and the chance to interview the cast.

Too many productions to list but some of the students were thrilled to cover the Rocky Horror Show, War Horse, Kiss Me Quickstep and Jack and The Beanstalk to name just a few.

Jack and The Beanstalk, photo courtesy of Queen's Theatre

Nikcheya Kuganesan who won the opportunity to see the Sleeping Beauty performed by the St. Petersburg Classical Theatre Group, said “It was an amazing, enjoyable and fun performance. The cast were high in spirit and enthusiastic throughout the play. It can be enjoyed by an audience of all ages.”

Another student Aisha Cerbah who also won free tickets said that the production of Truth or Dare created a combination of many emotions, truly heartfelt and very moving. She added that it moved you through its creative and unusual scenes, allowing audiences to develop a sense of empathy for those who cope with psychological illnesses.

The theatres were keen to support the scheme and were actively involved from the start. Rachel Pottle, Press and Marketing Officer at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, said: “We enjoyed welcoming young people through our doors as part of the Young Reporter Scheme, to review a variety of our productions; the quality of writing was wonderful!”

War Horse, photo courtesy of The National Theatre

Already this year, the Young Reporter Scheme is being offered tickets to cover shows at Richmond Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Little Angel Theatre, Rose Theatre, The National and The Unicorn Theatre. This will give them the opportunity to experience some excellent shows in central London and outer London venues.

At the end of the scheme last year, The Churchill Theatre in Bromley made an exciting offer; the chance to do work experience on Shrek The Musical.

Niamh Cummins who won the experience was offered a two week placement working alongside the young technical team. There was the opportunity to experience a variety of roles backstage as part of a professional quality production.

The placement was a unique experience allowing Niamh to work on a production from rehearsal through to performance on a professional stage.

As an organisation, The Young Reporter Scheme wants to explore all avenues to give students as much versatility as possible of experiencing life in a journalistic world.

The aim this year is to approach more professional bodies thereby exposing students to additional exciting opportunities.

Watch this space!