Tag: Strange Town Youth Theatre

Strange Town presents ‘The Dark Up Close’

Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town was set up to ensure that everyone, no matter their experience or their background, gets the opportunity to access life-changing activities in the arts.  

Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, the organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches 2,000 local young people every year through youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors helping to develop the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.

Across all the charity’s activities, Strange Town creates high quality work that is daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, knife crime and climate change anxiety.

The organisation tours local schools with educational performances that spark discussion, debate and often provides local young people with their first experience of a theatrical performance.  

This week the charity’s Young Company (18-25) returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre after their sold out shows there last year.  ‘The Dark Up Close’ by local writer Jack MacGregor has been specially commissioned for Strange Town’s Young Company.  

Open to everyone age 12+ the play will run for two nights Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March.  

‘Two teenagers digging graves, an island full of conscripts and puffins, the guns are silent on the eve of World War III.

‘These are scenes from a near future Britain, a country in crisis, with national service reinstated for all young people. The old world is dying, and the new world has been delayed indefinitely.’ 

Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR

Times: 7.30pm (1 hour)

Tickets Prices: £12 / £10

Ticket Link: https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:5893/

Arts activities enrich lives, but organisations such as Strange Town are seriously under-funded, and the future is uncertain. Strange Town relies on its fundraising activities to deliver fully accessible activities for local young people.  

Funders include the Backstage Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Cordis Trust, Crerar Trust and others.  

The charity also runs the 15for15 fundraising initiative where local people can donate monthly to support their life-changing work.  

More details here https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/

Out of the Blue helps support Leith’s young people make the transition to high school

  • Now in it’s third year P.A.L.S! Summer scheme has helped support over 100 young people make the transition from primary to secondary school
  • A collaboration between three youth arts organisations based at the Drill Hall
  • P.A.L.S! returns to the Out of the Blue Drill Hall from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July

 Monday 24th to Friday 28th July sees the third P.A.L.S (Play and Learn Stuff!) Summer Scheme return to the Out of the Blue Drill Hall!

Started initially as a response to the pandemic, the scheme was designed to help young people get back outdoors, off their screens and enjoying new experiences within a safe and supportive environment. 

Specifically targetting children aged 11 – 13 in the Leith area, the free scheme provides a circuit breaker from technology, a chance to re-engage with others and participate in the arts.

Since its inception, the P.A.L.S Summer Scheme has helped over 100 children learn new skills and gain confidence prior to starting secondary school.

First established in 2021, it’s a collaboration between three youth arts organisations, all based in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith: Out of the Blueprint, Strange Town Youth Theatre and All or Nothing.

As in previous years, the three partner organisations will deliver a free activity based on their specialist art form.

The scheme has evolved since its inception and following feedback from parents and children. After taking part in the scheme many parents recognised increased confidence and resilience in their child in preparation for moving to high school.

Feedback from children (2021 & 2022)

“I learnt how to use the printer. I learnt how to be a better actor. I learnt how to be more creative and not hesitate to try new things! Thank you!”
“Was I nervous about coming along? Obviously! The three new things I learnt this week was how to get on a hoop, how to make new friends and how to get up high by spinning in a cocoon!”
“The best bit was doing things I haven’t done before”
Feedback from parents (2021 & 2022)

“We were so impressed by the whole experience (name) had. Thank you!”
“My husband and I were delighted (name) attended all week because she loved the activities and managed to chat to people she didn’t know. The experience helped increase (her) confidence and independence.”
“Please do something similar! It really built her confidence that she tried something new.”

Project Manager, Johnny Gailey, says: “We initially started the scheme as a way to support young folk who had missed out on transition activities that helped them make the step up to big school due to Covid.

“We’re very proud that it’s now part of our annual summer offer of activities for children in the area.  Whilst the pandemic is over, this generation continues to feel the long tail of Covid and it’s effects and we believe activities that support the development of their social skills and confidence will stand them in good stead as they progress to high school.” 

The P.A.L.S! Summer Scheme takes place at the Drill Hall from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July. Further details can be found on the Out of the Blue website.