VENT. is the latest production from Scottish Youth Theatre’s prestigious National Ensemble – a company of emerging theatre makers aged 16 – 25 selected from across Scotland for their exceptional theatre making ability.
For their 2018 production, they were given the stimulus of mental health as a starting point.
SYT’s Chief Executive, Jacky Hardacre explains why: “Mental health is a very real issue facing young people today. A recent survey* found over 40% of Scotland’s young people said they have experienced challenges with their mental wellbeing.
“In Scotland’s Year of Young People, we wanted to focus on a subject that is highly relevant to young people both as theatre makers and audiences.”
The company of 17 young people worked with Director Ross Mackay to explore the theme and it led them to VENT. – a place where people with a mental condition go to address their challenges and find a solution. Themes discussed include abusive friendships, body dysmorphic disorder and postnatal depression.
They also had inspiration from another area – the show’s sponsor – debt management company Richmond Oaks Group. The company’s CEO, Alan Harty spoke to the group about a study his company commissioned about the link between debt and mental health. The stories he shared with the Ensemble have provided the starting point for one of the story lines in VENT. – that of a woman overwhelmed by debt and the effect that has on her mental well being.
Director Ross MacKay has ensured that each storyline is devised and performed with sensitivity and respect. He explained: “Once we started discussing the themes, the participants went away and researched each one vigorously. They returned and began to improvise using that research.
“Once the scenes started to form, we took them to the writing group to extend the research and ensure that, whilst the story is fictional, there is integrity in how each condition is portrayed”
Of what the audience can expect from VENT., Ross says the performance will raise more questions than necessarily provide answers; ““It’s definitely a ‘discuss in the bar or the car home afterwards’ kind of show. There are 4 very distinct storylines so I think there will be something that resonates with each and every audience member.
“The common link between each storyline is the VENT., the place where people go to find help. In some ways, the idea. draws parallels with the NHS and the huge amount of cases they are working on. It’s a heavy topic, so the humour the VENT. staff use to deal with the pressure of their day to day life provides some light moments throughout the performance.”
The National Ensemble has embarked on a national tour, thanks to sponsorship from Richmond Oaks Group with match funding by Arts & Business Scotland through the Culture & Business Fund Scotland.
On the eve of the tour, Ensemble member Heather Mitchell (23) said: “Devising VENT. has been an intense and rewarding experience. Each day brings something new. I’ve worked with movement specialists, sound designers and visual theatre specialists – I feel like I’m really growing as a theatre maker. Getting to tour the show nationally will be something none of us have ever experienced before. We can’t wait to take the show on the road.”
VENT. opened at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre, Glasgow on 23rd and 24th July then tours to The Space Dundee, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen and North Edinburgh Arts. Tickets can be purchased from Scottish Youth Theatre’s website.
*Latest figures released by the Prince’s Trust Macquarie Youth Index, based on a survey of 2,194 people aged 16 to 25
Tour Details
- Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Mon 23 & Tue 24 July 7:30pm
Tickets £12 / £10 www.tron.co.uk 0141 552 4267
- The Space, Dundee
Wed 25 July 7:30pm
Tickets £12 / £10 www.scottishyouththeatre.org
- The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Thu 26 July 7:30pm
Tickets £12 / £10 www.aberdeenperformingarts.com 01224 641122
- North Edinburgh Arts, Edinburgh
Sat 28 July 7:30pm
Tickets £12 / £10 www.northedinburgharts.co.uk 0131 315 2151
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