Students aim to end theatrics around teenage social issues

Students who have written their own play about social issues affecting teenagers are gearing up to perform the production in schools across North Wales.

“As If,” devised by second year Theatre and Performance students at NEWI, aims to highlight problems such as bullying, peer pressure and individuality among teenagers. The play will be performed to Year 9 and 10 pupils in eight local schools over the next few weeks.

Theatre and Performance students write their own play every year as a requirement for their degree programme, but this year is the first time that they have collaborated with students studying on other programmes at NEWI. Emma Walton, a first year student at the North Wales School of Art and Design, painted the artwork for the set – which was built by fellow NEWI student Kieron Lewis - and sound engineering student Ben Artiss is to accompany the theatre group on their tour of the schools.

Elen Mai Nefydd, senior lecturer in Theatre and Performance at NEWI, is directing the show. She said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to tap into some of the excellent talent which exists throughout all subject areas at NEWI. The artwork produced by Emma will really help to bring the play to life and we’re really grateful that Ben has offered to tour with us.”

The idea for “As If” originated from visits by the theatre students to Rhosnesni and Ruabon High Schools, where they discussed with pupils what they liked and disliked about school and aspects of their lives which worried them. The play is based around the lives of five distinct characters, all affected by different social problems, who attend school and hang out at the local park together.

“The play is really about young people finding their own person and confidence,“ said Elen Mai. “Hopefully it’s a voice for a younger generation, something which they can really relate to. The students have practiced tirelessly over the last few weeks and should be proud of what is an excellent production.”

After each performance in the schools, the students will hold talkback sessions with school pupils to discuss the issues which the play touches upon.

Catherine Roberts, who plays Shaz, said: “Researching and acting out the play has definitely been an eye-opening experience. We’ve learned a lot about the lives of young people in North Wales and the difficulties they have to face. Hopefully by bringing some of the issues to light, we’ll be able to show that they can overcome any problems they have and learn from any mistakes they make.”