Youth Theatre | Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

NAYD Young Critics Announced for 2016

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

A big thank you to everyone that applied for Young Critics. This year the number of applications was an even bigger increase on last year’s applicants. We got a record breaking 47 applications for just 16 places.

NAYD Young Critics 2011 at Project Arts Centre

We are happy to announce that the Young Critics for 2016 are:

Colm Maye Activate Youth Theatre
Jane Byrne CYT – CYT – Cabinteely Youth Theatre
Savana Bartual Smyth Cork Institute of Technology – CIT
Rita Havlin Donegal Youth Theatre
Meabh Hennelly Dublin Youth Theatre
Jack Synnott Droichead Youth Theatre

Louis Flanagan Droichead Youth Theatre
Pierce McNee Dundalk Youth Theatre
Patrick Joy Footsteps Youth Theatre
Clodagh Healy Free Radicals Youth Theatre
Kate Brady Gonzo Youth Theatre
Emily McGee Kilkenny Youth Theatre
Ryan Finnegan Leitrim Youth Theatre Company Carrigallen (LYTC)
Ciara Lummis Play YT / Fracture Youth Theatre
Mary Condon O’Connor Play YT / Fracture Youth Theatre
Mathew Whitehead Sligo Youth Theatre

The Young Critics will be coming together for the first weekend from April 22-24th.

The first two productions they will be going to see are :

The Plough and The Stars 2016 by Sean O’Casey . Directed by Sean Holmes at the Abbey Theatre.

Tina’s Idea of Fun by Sean. P. Summers. Directed by Conall Morrison at the Peacock Theatre.

International theatre academic and Toronto Star theatre critic Dr. Karen Fricker will work alongside NAYD’s own Alan King to explore the fundamentals of theatre criticism over the coming months.

The Young Critics will be making vlogs and writing reviews and you can follow their exploits here

NAYD’s Young Critics 2016 – Applications Are Now Open

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

‘An amazing, life changing experience…Words cannot describe how amazing of a programme young critics is.’ Young Critic 2015

WHAT IS THE YOUNG CRITICS?

Returning for a thirteenth year, The Young Critics is one of NAYD’s most popular programmes.

It is open to NAYD affiliated youth theatre members who are interested in watching theatre, discovering how and why theatre is made, and learning how to critically discuss, analyse, and review theatre.

Over a six-month period they will see some incredible shows, make new friends and learn about the art of theatre criticism.

In a very exciting and innovative programme young people are given an opportunity to see quality productions, while developing their critical skills under the mentorship of international theatre critic and academic, Dr. Karen Fricker and Alan King, NAYD Youth Theatre Officer.

In order to offer individual advice and guidance on developing each young person’s critical skills, places on the programme are limited to 16. Those who are interested should apply through their youth theatre before Friday March 4th.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE YOUNG CRITICS?

The Young Critics will meet in Dublin from Friday April 22nd to Sunday April 24th for the first time and again in October. Over the two weekends the Young Critics will attend at least four theatre productions, and participate in workshops and discussions with the mentors.

In October, the group will meet up in Dublin again to see further productions, take part in more workshops and participate in a public panel discussion.

In between the two residential weekends, the Young Critics will be encouraged and supported to go and see other local productions, write some reviews and contribute to the Young Critics blog through vlogs and written reviews.

Aisling Reviews After Sarah Miles for NAYD’s Young Critics from Alan King on Vimeo.

HOW DO I APPLY TO TAKE PART IN YOUNG CRITICS?

Participation in the programme is free: accommodation, food, theatre tickets and travel costs are covered by NAYD.

It is open to youth theatre members who will be aged 16 – 20 by April 1st 2016. We are looking for young people who are comfortable meeting new people, working in a highly focused way and are not afraid to share their thoughts and opinions with each other.

To be a Young Critic you must be fully available for both weekends. You must also be available to take part in online discussions and organise a theatre trip in your own area in between the two residential weekends. You be supported by NAYD, your own youth theatre and your local venues to do this.

NAYD will have welfare leaders in place on both weekends to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all participants.

Download and print off full information on Young Critics 2016

If you are interested in the programme, please download and fill out the Application Form and return by post only to:

Young Critics Programme, NAYD, 7, North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1 by Friday March 4th at 5pm

Watch some former Young Critics Talk about the Young Critics Programme.

Read about one young person’s experience on Young Critics 2014.

If you need further information please contact NAYD:

Office phone: 01 878 1301
Mobile (during the events): 086 829 5851

Further Information

www.nayd.ie/programmes/young-critics/

NAYD Young Critics and Arts in Junior Cycle 2013-2016

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Back in 2013 NAYD was approached by Seóna Ni Bhriain from the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. They were looking at existing models of engagement that could help Junior Cycle students have a greater understanding of, and participation in the Arts. NAYD’s Young Critics was recognised as a model of excellence and became part of the Performing Arts Learning Service (PALS) PALS initiative.

The PALS Pilot initiative took place in the run up to the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2013. Here a group of teachers experienced the Young Critics programmes themselves, taking part in workshops, seeing several productions and attending the Young Critic Forum at Project Arts Centre. The workshops were designed and facilitated by Alan King and Sarah Fitzgibbon. Several teachers who could not make the Forum in Dublin were able to participate via a live stream. The programme was co-ordinated by Seóna Ni Bhriain, with IT support by Deborah Dignam.

NAYD Young Critics 2013. Chaired by Dr. Karen Fricker

The Arts in Junior Cycle emerged as part of a joint pilot initiative of the Department of Education and Skills , Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. It was developed in the context of the introduction of the new Framework for Junior Cycle in 2014, and the Performing Arts Learning Service (PALS) Feasibility Study commissioned by the Arts Council. The initiative is based on partnership and collaboration with key partners across the arts and education sectors. NAYD is one of these key partners.

Arts in Junior Cycle aims to support teachers and students to engage with the arts as an integrated part of the post-primary curriculum in Ireland.

In 2014 a suite of four different workshops were developed and rolled out nationwide. They were Page to Stage, Film in Focus , Speaking Shakespeare and Young Critics. Each was designed and delivered by highly respected arts facilitators. They were assisted and supported by group of dedicated teachers from the JCT support team, under the brilliant co-ordination of Karol Sadlier.

Junior Cycle teachers take part in their first ever Young Critics Workshop. March 2014

The response from the teachers was phenomenal. They could see how our models of working could be adapted with their students in a classroom setting. For the Young Critics, the workshops conveyed the notion that theatre was a living breathing thing and not just words on a page. For students this is often a huge barrier to cross in their understanding and enjoyment of theatre.

Following the success of these two programmes we are looking forward to working with the JCT team again later in the year.

To keep up to date with developments in Arts in Junior Cycle, you can visit their great website here, which also has lots of great resources for drama.

Jockey by WillFredd Theatre. Reviewed by NAYD Young Critic Dara Eaton

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

As the Young Critics hit the stage of the Dublin Theatre Festival on Oct 4th, we publish the final in our series of summer reviews. Dara Eaton from Carlow Youth Theatre visited the G.B Shaw Theatre in Carlow for the World Premiere of Jockey.

Jockey
WillFredd Theatre
George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow
Reviewed by Dara Eaton

After hearing great things about WillFredd Theatre’s innovative work, I went to their production of the one-woman show Jockey, made by professional dancer and choreographer Emma O’Kane, with many questions. How much dialogue should I expect? Would the play tell a story, or simply display a variety of impressive dance moves? As a drama critic reviewing a story told through dance, I may have left with even more questions than I had going in.

Emma O’Kane in Jockey by WillFredd Theatre Co.

The show tells the story of O’Kane, who hopes to gain a better understanding of her late grandfather’s passion for horse racing by learning to be a jockey. As the performance progressed, visual effects such as newspaper articles projected onto screens and voice-over samples filled us in on the career of Phillip De Burgh O’Brien, who operated as a writer for a racehorse magazine and as a bloodstock agent, selling horses to jockeys for upcoming events. The story was basic, dwelling more on how certain situations affected the main character than how they altered the world around them. This is something that would normally fascinate me, as I believe the emotions of a character are explored more thoroughly when there is less emphasis on the outside world, and I felt prepared for a powerful display of expression. However, any feelings O’Kane experienced were conveyed through movement alone, an element I am unfamiliar with and that at first seemed intriguing, but eventually became repetitive and predictable. The movement on stage often seemed almost misplaced, without any obvious tie to what the character was experiencing emotionally.

Regardless of these concerns about the choreography, the dancing was spectacularly executed by O’Kane. As it was the production’s world premiere, I went in expecting some hiccups, but each dance number was rehearsed and performed to perfection, which caught the attention of everyone in the audience. The production was quite extraordinary to look at, as a set packed full of screens with constantly changing news articles ensured the viewer was kept alert throughout.

Even these screens had a drawback, though, as the ever-altering text meant that much of the story was lost. Though I admire the innovation, being caught between reading the text and watching the movement left me and the group I went with unaware as to what was going on at times, which drew me out of the experience of the show. I found myself fumbling through the programme in an attempt to understand what exactly I was watching.

Undoubtedly, Jockey left me with mixed emotions and I am of two minds as to whether or not to wholeheartedly recommend this play. Would someone with more interest in physical theatre enjoy this piece more than I did? Or were my observations fair from the perspective of any theatre fan? The only recommendation I can give, is for you to see this play and decide for yourself.

Dara Eaton is a Carlow Youth Theatre and is an NAYD Young Critic for 2015.

The G.B Shaw Theatre kindly supported this event.

My English Tongue, My Irish Heart by Martin Lynch. A Young Critic Review by Vinny McBrien

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

In the run up to NAYD’s Young Critics Panel on Sunday Oct 4th as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, we are publishing a series of reviews from the Young Critics.

Over the summer months we asked the Young Critics to attend some shows in their own home venue. We asked them to make a short vlog review of the experience. We then asked a selection of them to turn these into written reviews. Dr. Karen Fricker offered some editorial advice.

With just a week to go until the Young Critics hit the Dublin Theatre Festival we review My English Tongue, My Irish Heart by Martin Lynch

Keith Singleton, KerrI Quinn, Margaret McAuliffe & Cillan O’Dee. Image Credit Ruth-Gonsalves Moore ( 2015).

Green Shoot Productions

The Dock, Carrick-On-Shannon

Reviewed by Vinny McBrien

My English Tongue My Irish Heart, an in-depth look into Irish emigration to England across time, was both historic and intriguing to watch. The plot focuses on a 21^st century couple, Susan (Kerri Quinn) and Gary (Cillian O’Dee), living in Dublin. He is from Mayo and is a bit of a culchie, while she is an adventurous young woman from Tyrone. She wants to emigrate to England, but Gary does not want to leave Ireland. The play also interweaves into the plot smaller stories of people emigrating from different periods in the past including labourers, bottle washers, and pickpockets. As the play moves from scene to scene, this sometimes becomes confusing, as it is hard to figure out what era the play is in or which story is being told. The script itself contains interesting facts about emigration but sometimes this becomes too much when a bundle of information comes at you all at once.

When the audience enters, we see Martin Lynch’s and Niall Rea’s set design of one large box in the middle of the stage with smaller ones piled on top. When the actors came out, they sing while moving the boxes; I found this to be a very clever metaphor for the work the emigrants were seeking in the new places they were moving to. The whole cast sang traditional Irish songs during the performance, and special praise has to go to Margaret McAuliffe, who is an amazing singer. The lighting is basic with spotlights on centre stage and to the corners, which would black out in certain scenes. The audience sits around the theatre, with some at tables. This works well in a pub scene, as it makes you feel like you are in the pub watching the action go on.

My English Tongue, My Irish Heart by Martin Lynch

The acting is very believable and enjoyable. The actress who stands out the most is Kerri Quinn; her presence on stage, comedic character, and natural presence really make the production. One downfall is that the actors did not always play to the audience in this theatre-in-the-round. When the action was on the other side of the stage, I felt distant from the play.

This production aims to teach the audience about Irish emigration to England. While it does achieve this somewhat, in my experience the play is more educating than entertaining, and at times I lost interest. I would particularly recommend it to people who have an interest in history, and I have to compliment the cast and crew on their hard work and research, which was clear to see.

Vinny McBrien is a member of Leitrim Youth Theatre Company Carrigallen and an NAYD Young Critic for 2015

The Dock, Carrick On Shannon kindly supported this event.

A Well Crafted Pair of Shoes. An NAYD Young Critics Review by Marie Lynch

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Posted on

In the run up to NAYD’s Young Critics Panel on Sunday Oct 4th as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, we will be publishing a series of reviews from the Young Critics.

The Man in the Woman’s Shoes by Mikel Murfi

Loco and Restless Productions (production originally commissioned by the Hawk’s Well Theatre and Sligo County Arts Office)

Backstage Theatre Longford

Reviewed by Marie Lynch

Don’t take the title too literally! This play, written, directed and performed by Mikel Murfi, is not simply about a man in women’s footwear. Rather it gives us a look into one person’s enlightening, endearing life. I’m not one to usually enjoy one-man show as I think they can feel more like a recitation than a play with little or no action. However, during this performance I was completely immersed.

Set in rural Ireland in 1978, the play focuses on Pat Farnon, a country cobbler. We see him make a simple five-mile journey to town and back. We meet a wide variety of colourful characters along the way such as the iconoclastic Kitsy Rainey and conventional Huby Patterson. But the hook of this play is – Pat Farnon cannot talk. Instead of hearing him converse with others, we hear his thoughts, hopes and aspirations.

I admired Murfi’s characterization and ability to change from one character to another in a split second. It was visually pleasing and never hard to follow and understand which character was speaking.

Mikel Murfi in “The Man in the Woman’s Shoes.” Credit Vitaliy Piltser

The characters were perfectly scripted and you felt as if you were actually meeting locals from the town. The story was simple and told with good old Irish humour but never felt cheesy. It had a nostalgic feel which strongly affected the audience. Pat’s enthusiasm for life radiated onto the spectators continually throughout his ups and downs.

The set was bare. The lights were kept to a minimum and the only sound effects were made by Murfi himself who can play a very convincing dog. The design overall could have been perhaps expanded but for me it worked the way it was. The decision to keep the staging of the production so minimalistic was a clever device as it in turn reflected Pat’s simple life. This added to the play on a whole.

While this play had no complex plotline, it was full of life lessons and I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it ultimately uplifting. Murfi had a continual optimistic outlook and celebrated the life of ordinary people. It is a play for all ages and all walks of life. The play hooks you in from start to finish and I would highly recommend it.

Marie Lynch is a member of Backstage Youth Theatre and an NAYD Young Critic 2015.

Backstage Theatre Longford kindly supported this event.

An NAYD Young Critics review of My Second Self by Derek Masterson

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

In the run up to NAYD’s Young Critics Panel on Sunday Oct 4th as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, we will be publishing a series of reviews from the Young Critics.

First up, Olwyn Bell reviews My Second Self  by Derek Masterson

No Tears Productions

Civic Theatre, Tallaght

With the successful marriage referendum a few months in the past and “Yes” posters nowhere to be found, some might forget how LGBTQ rights only recently started to become a reality in Ireland. My Second Self shows us the two different sides of homosexuality in our country and reminds us how we still have a long way to go for equality.

The play starts with Leyton telling us about himself through a monologue: he’s gay and that’s fine with him. Thommas Kane Byrne’s character is confident — maybe a bit too stereotypical! His apartment is filled with pictures of gay icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe which sets the tone as light-hearted. He is a 23-year-old man and the whole world is his stage. He is the embodiment of the “gay best friend” and maybe he uses this to hide his softer side.

Then we meet Paul (Barry Roe), who is seemingly the opposite of Leyton — a well-put together man in a three-piece suit, drinking coffee in a humble cafe. But he is like Leyton in one way: he’s gay. He meets Leyton just after attending his son’s funeral. It is revealed that Paul’s son committed suicide after coming out as gay. His son’s worst nightmare came true when his mother reacted badly to the news. Paul’s reaction is guilt as he lost his son to his own shame of being gay and not being as strong as his son to admit it.

One half of the stage is dedicated to Leyton’s apartment while the other is the cafe. This staging really worked as we see the metaphorical connection of Modern and Old Ireland. When Leyton and Paul meet at centre stage, older and younger generations come together towards a deeper understanding of homosexuality.

This play has a message of understanding: Ireland is changing and homosexuality is becoming a part of everyday life. People like Leyton are able to love who they want without much prejudice, while Paul had to hide his sexuality away. But this doesn’t mean that Leyton hasn’t got other problems to face. We see his feelings in a dream sequence in which both Leyton and Paul communicate their inner thoughts. The real Leyton, a broken man who needs his father’s love, contradicts the upbeat party animal we met at the start. Paul has hidden problems as well; we see his shame about being “a gay man in a straight situation” and about not being there for his son. This scene allows for deep character development.

My Second Self did an excellent job in showing the evolution of homosexuality in Ireland. We are given the older vision through Paul and the contemporary side with Leyton. Even in modern times, we see that the two men have lost something because of their sexuality: Leyton lost his father while Paul lost his son. This play has tragic elements with a mixture of comedy to make us realise that prejudice and fear around homosexuality are still a real thing.

Olwyn Bell is a member of Tallaght Youth Theatre and an NAYD Young Critic for 2015.

Join us on Oct 4th at 1pm to see the Young Critics in Project Cube as part of Dublin Theatre Festival.

The Civic Theatre Tallaght kindly supported this event.

Underneath by Pat Kinevane, a Young Critic video review

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Maryanne Brasil from Free Radicals Youth Theatre in Tralee offers another Young Critic video review.

Here Maryanne reviews Fishamble’s production of Underneath by Pat Kinevane, following it’s performance at St. John’s Theatre in Listowel,Co.Kerry.

Underneath is currently at the the Edinburgh Fringe at Dance Base until Aug 30th.

Maryanne Brasil is a member of NAYD Young Critics for 2015

After Sarah Miles – A Vlog Review from Aisling Clark

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Following up from our Summer of Shows we have the latest video blog from Aisling Clark.

Here Aisling reviews After Sarah Miles by Michael Hillard Mulcahy.

Anyone share her view of this piece?

Aisling is a member of Duisigh Youth Theatre and an NAYD Young Critic 2015

A Summer of Shows with The Shadow Of A Gunman

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

It’s been a fabulously productive summer for this year’s Young Critics.

As part of our summer initiative, and with the support of their local arts centres and venues, they have been seeing productions the length and breath of the country.

They selected a show and planned a theatre trip for their youth theatre friends. Their own curatorial skills were being put to the test as they selected a show that would hold the interest of their peers.

The range of productions they have managed to see has been truly impressive. There was lots of New Irish Writing on display with many shows touring to local arts centres. The One Man Show is a staple of the touring circuits and there was no shortage of these on offer.

Several Young Critics went to see Mikel Murfi’s sublime The Man In The Woman’s Shoes, and Pat Kinevane’s equally sublime Underneath.

Michael Hillard Mulcahy’s After Sarah Miles, set in Dingle, was attend by Dusigh’s Young Critic from Tralee.

The two Young Critics from Footsteps Youth Theatre attended Seamus Moran’s Have a Heart at the Friars Gate Theatre Kilmallock, Co.Limerick.

There were also plenty of full productions on offer including An Grianan’s touring production of Frank Pig Says Hello by Pat McCabe and Martin Lynch’s My English Tongue, My Irish Heart.

There were World Premieres aplenty with Co. Carlow Youth Theatre members being treated to Jockey by Willfredd Theatre Co at Visual, Carlow.

Before Monsters Were Made by Ross Dungan was another World Premiere at Project Arts Centre as was My Second Self at the Civic Theatre and The Ballad of Charlie & Cate at the Cork Midsummer Festival.

Our Young Critic from Donegal Youth Theatre attended Annie The Musical at The Balor Theatre.

Finally Niamh Murphy, one of our Young Critics from County Wexford Youth Theatre attended Sean O’Casey’s The Shadow of A Gunman at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

Here is her very fine video blog review of the production.