‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People,’ Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022. Film: Lee Pretious

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School Performance 2022

  • Summer 2022

‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People,’ Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022

This August, Hauser & Wirth Somerset returned with the hugely successful Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School.

Since opening in 2014, Hauser & Wirth Somerset has run the subsidised theatre summer school in partnership with Bristol Old Vic Theatre, allowing an opportunity for Young Company Directors at the Bristol Old Vic  to engage with the gallery and our local community on a professional basis.

Taking inspiration from the exhibition ‘Henry Moore. Sharing Form,’ participants devised a new play told through movement, music and theatre, titled ‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People.’

The summer school provided an incredible opportunity for young people, aged between 11 – 16 years, to work with professional directors to further their skills in drama and performing arts, resulting in an original piece of theatre to share with the wider community.

‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People,’ Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022. Photo: Calum Douglas

‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People,’ Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022. Photo: Calum Douglas

This year’s performance was steered by Helena Middleton, an award-winning theatre and film director. She is a founding member of ‘The Wardrobe Ensemble,’ a theatre company committed to making devised, ensemble-based theatre. She has dedicated the last 11 years to creating theatre for all ages, with a particular focus on devised work and new writing.

Helena’s theatre directing credits include ‘Robin Hood: Legend of the Forgotten Forest’ (Bristol Old Vic), ‘Education, Education, Education’ (Royal and Derngate, Trafalgar Studios), ‘The Star Seekers (National Theatre) and ‘Pippi Longstocking’ (Royal and Derngate). Helena has also worked as a dramaturg, associate and assistant director on various productions, including ‘Witness for the Prosecution,’ which has been running for over four years at London County Hall.

Watch previous Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School performances including ‘We Do, We Undo, We Redo’ (2019) and ‘Cara (KA-ra)’ (2018)

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