Impact and inspiration | bristol old vic Young Company - past and present
27 Nov 2024
The Young Company - and its sister projects - have had an amazing impact on theatre makers over the years.
On 19 Nov, we held a celebration event for the 30th anniversary of the Young Company and were joined by past and present Young Company, Made In Bristol and Young SixSix members and practitioners who came to share their own journey into creative careers - thanks to youth projects running at Bristol Old Vic.
Bristol Old Vic is one of the largest youth theatre groups in the UK with young people aged from 3yr - 25yrs taking part in weekly sessions - both in the Theatre and across the city.
Since 1994, the programme has helped young people harness their imaginative powers, gain confidence and find their voice for the future. It has grown to reflect societal demands and the needs of individuals the theatre engages with; the youth programme now also includes a Technical Youth Theatre, Young SixSix(working with individuals referred to us through schools), Made in Bristol (a Young Company graduate scheme) and Young Company City (providing free sessions taking place across the city). These enable the theatre to reach individuals with a variety of needs and life experiences in the best way possible.
Bristol Old Vic used the milestone birthday to lay out plans to expand the programme over the next three years, focusing on areas of Bristol with historically low levels of cultural engagement. It also highlighted the various ways in which individuals and organisations can support the work which will target those most in need, providing free access whenever it’s required.
One individual who credits Young Company with his own transformation is 30 year-old Joseph Langdon.
“I first came into contact with Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre when I was 9 months into a prison sentence at a young offenders institute in Bristol – I was 16. Every Monday we’d have a drama session led by BOV Young Company practitioner Jesse Jones. We’d talk about life, the world, theatre and opportunity. When it came to the end of my sentence Jesse said to me – “you have a choice, go back to London and the gangs you were involved with, or change your life, move to Bristol and see what you can do.” So I moved, I didn’t know anyone. But they helped me get a job on the Box Office, I joined the Young Company and then their Made in Bristol programme. They helped me apply for a bursary to go to Drama school and I’m now working all over the world and have the most amazing life. I honestly don’t think I’d be here today without them. When I think of old friends from when I was a kid – some are dead now, some are in prison and I know that would be my life if it wasn’t for Bristol Old Vic giving me a chance and hope.”
Betsy May Wright is currently part of the Made in Bristol scheme after having attended Young Company from the age of 12.
“I had a few troubles when I was younger and I went from being an outgoing cheerful 10 year old into a withdrawn, quiet person within the space of two years. My mum saw this and made me go to Young Company sessions – I wasn’t keen! Within 3 visits I realized I’d found people like me, that we were allowed to make mistakes and no one was going to judge us. I realized that I belonged there. Young Company was the first place that I felt I could be myself. If I met my younger self now, I’d give her a hug and let her know it was all going to be ok.”
Director of Engagement Lucy Hunt runs the youth programme at Bristol Old Vic: “The positive impact of arts on wellbeing is beyond doubt. We know that arts and cultural activity, along with an arts education equips people of all ages with valuable skills for the future. For some that’s a career in the arts, but most importantly, it’s providing a fulfilling creative intervention for everyone. Our aim is to our programmes will target those who are in most need, with a strategy to maximise our impact and inspire change, one story at a time -we can only do this with ongoing support from individuals who share our belief in the lifelong benefits of creativity”.
Well-known faces who had some of their first introductions to theatre through Bristol Old Vic’s youth schemes include comedian Jayde Adams, 'Skins' actors April Pearson and Hannah Murray, film and TV actor Tuppence Middleton and BBC Radio presenter and Broadchurch actor, Joe Sims.
Speaking at the event about his own experience, Joe Sims said:
“My careers adviser sat me down and said “Sims, you like travelling, why don’t you become a travel agent?” The first time I came to this building I was told a different opportunity was possible. That there is a tangible road into a career in the arts and that’s a fantastic feeling. What I love about Young Company is the way it’s got bigger and better and stronger as it’s reached out into every aspect of the community. A bunch of disparate souls from every corner of the city coming together. That’s the beauty of Young Company – it gives people like me from a council estate an opportunity to be something else, to be something other, and long may that continue for the next 30 years.”
Visit Bristol Old Vic’s website to discover the ways in which you can make a difference to the lives of young people in our city. www.bristololdvic.org.uk/support-us
