NAYD Young Critics | Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Feeling Wicked

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Wicked The Musical
Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Review by Deirdre Wray

This musical was as amazing as it was when I saw it in the Apollo Victoria theatre in London in 2012.

Two amazing actresses, Niki Davis Jones and Emily Tierney played the roles of Galinda and Elpheba. They were both powerful singers and interpreted the roles very well in their own ways.
The dragon was just as good and the costumes and dancing were also spectacular.

It is a real family musical, which shows the background to the story of the Wizard of Oz and what really happens and who is evil after all.

If you haven’t seen it yet I would recommend it hugely. Although tickets can be pricey because it’s the Bord Gais you may find some cheap seats left but even if you did pay top price it is well worth it.

5 stars from my sisters and me and I’m sure from others as well.

Performance reviewed on Jan 3rd and posted Feb 12th 2014
Deirdre Wray was a participant on NAYD Young Critics 2013

The Risen People – Review

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Saoirse Anton from Laois Youth Theatre went to a recent performance of The Risen People at the Abbey Theatre. This is her review.

I, like many others, studied the 1913 Strike and Lockout in school, I know the history of it, the facts, the figure, but never before has it been more alive in my mind than as I watched the Abbey Theatre’s production of The Risen People by James Plunkett, directed by Jimmy Fay.

A moving and engaging piece of theatre, The Risen People brings the harsh reality of the lockout to life, reminds us of the day to day difficulties of the families involved and draws the audience into the world of Dublin in 1913.

Every aspect of the production added to the atmosphere and drew the audience further into the story. The incredible musical numbers, choreographed by Colin Dunne with music by Conor Linehan are, in my opinion, some of the best I have ever seen. Some serve to convey the raw suffering of the people, some show the dissatisfaction that sparked the rising and some, such as The Internationale serve to rouse the spirits of the audience and give them a taste of the pride and drive that led the workers to stand up for their rights.

The shadowy, cold lighting (Paul Keogan) and sparse set (Alyson Cummins) are beautifully designed to give the audience a sense of the poverty and hardship felt by the workers. These, when combined with the excellent acting performances, particularly by the female characters, played by Hilda Fay, Charlotte McCurry and Kate Stanley Brennan, make for a truly breathtaking production.

L-R Phelim Drew (Mr. Hennessy), Joe Hanley (Rashers Tierney), Keith Hanna (Pat), Kate Stanley Brennan (Lily Maxwell), Charlotte McCurry (Annie), Ian Lloyd Anderson (Fitzpatrick), Hilda Fay (Mrs. Hennessy), Lloyd Cooney (Joe), Simon Boyle (Keever / RIC Man), Conor Linehan (Piano / Ensemble) and Niwel Tsumbu (Guitar / Ensemble) in The Risen People by James Plunkett, adapted by Jimmy Fay from a version by Jim Sheridan. Photography by Ros Kavanagh.

The cherry on top, which really brings the production into the here and now, is the Noble Call in which each night, a well known figure is invited to give their opinions on the production and share the message they gained from it through words, art or music.

I can promise you that from the striking opening sequence through the stirring story, as the houses are emptied and the pawn shop is filled, to the final line, your eyes will be riveted to the stage and you will feel every emotion of every character.

You will live the lockout.

The Risen People runs until Feb 1st 2014. For more information and booking details please visit The Abbey Theatre Website

‘We sure ain’t in Cork anymore, Toto’ – The Young Critics Come to the Dublin Theatre Festival

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

Jess Richter from Lightbulb Youth Theatre in Mallow, Co Cork shares her thoughts on the Young Critics programme and unveils the productions we will be going to see as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival

“Excuse me, do you know where the GPO is, please?” I may as well have asked what planet I was on. “We sure ain’t in Cork anymore, Toto.” Ironically, the GPO is the place in which I and 15 of my fellow comrades met in March, to be introduced to a new planet; the World of Critiquing.

Introductions were made, roommates allotted, and it was straight down to business. We began with a workshop, to get energy and creativity flowing, and discussed what we had researched about the plays we were about to see. I, Malvolio, written and performed by award-winning playwright and actor Tim Crouch; and the Abbey Theatre’s King Lear- both Shakespearian, both beyond my everyday comfort zone.

I expected professionalism, I expected to be awed. What I did not expect, was to be blown from one extreme to the other: crying tears of laughter at I, Malvolio; and those of devastation for King Lear, played by Owen Roe.

Under the guidance of Alan King, NAYD’s youth theatre officer, and Dr. Karen Fricker; we began to learn to critique. We discussed what we liked, what we disliked, directors influence, standard of acting; we began asking new, deranged questions like; “What was the relevance of nuditiy in this piece?” We began to have the courage to voice our opinions.

What I found most interesting was reading the reviews written by professional critics, of shows that we had seen ourselves. While reading an article on the Abbey Theatre’s ‘King Lear’ on the train home, I felt as if my head had been lifted from its shallow cultural trough, for the first time.

Now, in under a fortnight, I am blessed to be returning to the genuine capital, from October 4th to 6th to watch and discuss three productions as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

For this weekend filled with theatrical enlightenment; I will be joined with only 14 fellow young crtiics this time. The 16^th member, Alice Murphy, is cast in I’ve To Mind Her a play by Shaun Dunne, which we will be critiquing (no pressure, Alice).

We will also see Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett, along with Ground and Floor, by Toshiki Okada; a Japanese production with English subtitles. Needless to say, our expectations are skyhigh, and I expect that even these will be surpassed.

I look forward with eager anticipation to the Young Critic Panel, where we can discuss our views with the public at the Project Arts Centre, Templebar.

The Young Critics programme has given me the opportunity to look at a whole new level of theatre. It has broadened my horizons, leaving me hungry for new plays, shows and productions. It has thought me to voice my opinions; that mine are just as important as those of any professional critic. It has introduced me a new kind of writing, a new lease of creativity, and to some truly terrific people.

And as if that all wasn’t enough; it has shown me how to find the GPO.

The Young Critics Panel discussion will take place in Project Arts Centre at 1pm on Sunday Oct 6th. This is a free event and tickets can be reserved from Dublin Theatre Festival Box Office

About NAYD Young Critics

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Youth Theatre Ireland Young Critics

The Young Critics is a programme of the National Association for Youth Drama (NAYD) in Ireland.

NAYD is the development organisation for youth theatre and youth drama in Ireland. NAYD supports youth drama in practice and policy, and supports the sustained development of youth theatres in Ireland.

NAYD advocates the inherent value and the unique relationship between young people and theatre as an artform, and is committed to extending and enhancing young people’s understanding of theatre and raising the artistic standards of youth theatre across the country.

The Young Critics Programme is part of NAYD’s commitment to developing youth theatre members’ awareness and appreciation of the aesthetic of theatre.

The Young Critics Programme brings youth theatre members together to:

attend workshops in the critique of professional theatre;
attend professional performances at leading Irish festivals;
give their own critiques of the performances at the Young Critics Panel.

Young Critics 2014

NAYD Young Critics 2014 at Dublin Theatre Festival Oct 5th, Project Arts Centre

2014 saw several new strands to the Young Critics programme. As well as our two weekends attending theatre in Dublin,the Young Critics also progammed a theatre trip to their local venue. From here they recorded a video blog review and several were invited to write written reviews.

The reviews can be read here

This was a really great dimension to the Young Critics progarmme and one that allowed even more young people have the Young Critics experience.

This year the Young Critics went to see:

Quietly by Owen McCafferty at the Peacock

An Ideal Husband at The Gate Theatre

Frequency 783 (Brokentalkers) at Project Arts Centre

The Seagull and Other Birds ( Pan Pan) at Project Arts Centre

Ganesh Versus The Third Reich (Back to Back Theatre) at O’Reilly Theatre

The self programmed shows during the summer included Heartbreak House at the Abbey, Fishamble’s Swing, Ballyturk, Lambo, [Title of Show] at New Theatre.

Young Critics 2013

There are two separate strands to Young Critics 2013. The first strand are the Young Critics who meet for the two sessions over the year. This group met for the first time in March. On this weekend they were brought to see two productions. They were

I Malvolio , written and performed by Tim Crouch at the Peacock Theatre

King Lear by William Shakespeare directed by Selina Cartmell at the Abbey Theatre.

This group will come together again in October to view and discuss work as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival at the Young Critics Panel

https://dublintheatrefestival.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=D377A9F9-905A-49E3-B858-3D8CE8540AD3

Young Critics 2013 arrive for King Lear at The Abbey Theatre

The second strand of the programme was The Young Critics International Encounter / Talking Shop

This strand involved a different group of young people aged 14-16 coming together to watch and discuss work as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival. This group was made up of 9 young people from across Ireland, 4 from BiondekBühne Youth Theatre, Baden in Austria and 5 from Stamsund in the Lofoten Islands in Norway.

This group explored two different but complimentary models of working, that of the Young Critics alongside the Talking Shop Model.

Young Critics 2012

In 2012 we were delighted to announce an expanded Young Critics programme. In addition to two weekends in Dublin, participants would also attend performances at the Cork Midsummer Festival.

The dates and locations are:

April 13-15, Dublin
June 22-24, Cork Midsummer Festival
October 5-7, Dublin Theatre Festival

Participants will attend at least eight performances while on the programme. They will also participate in workshops and discussions with international theatre critic Dr. Karen Fricker and Alan King, NAYD’s Youth Theatre Officer. The final weekend in Dublin will feature the Young Critics Panel, a public panel discussion, organised as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

It is an exciting opportunity for youth theatre members with an interest in theatre criticism. To quote a Young Critic from last year:

It has opened up a whole new world of different types of theatre, and different ways of looking at theatre.

The programme is open to members, aged 16 or over, from NAYD affiliated youth theatres. Participation is free of charge: the cost of travel, accommodation and food is covered.

The Young Critics Panel takes the form of a public discussion forum and has taken place in October for the last number of years, as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

In this blog the Young Critics will be sharing their views on not only the productions they have seen but also their experiences of the whole Young Critics programme

Alan King

Youth Theatre Office

NAYD

http://www.nayd.ie