An absolute experiment reaps great results...

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This week our first half term of Yew Tree for Grown Ups workshops drew to a close.  Starting this group in April was an absolute experiment – I really wasn’t sure how things would turn out…applying the youth theatre model - of weekly sessions where participants play, create and develop - to a group of adults was definitely a voyage into the unknown. To begin with I wasn’t even sure how interested people would be but requests to join came in meaning the next question was whether or not they would enjoy the Yew Tree approach when they actually got into the room.

Five weeks later and the answer is a quiet but definite yes…we have gathered a group of people to the workshops from very different backgrounds and life styles who also have very different relationships to the theatre and the idea of acting.  There are some who really only want to dabble their toe in the water of the business of making theatre and some who have been waiting a while for the chance of diving into the whole acting malarkey.  Over the course of the half term we have delved into improvisation, voice, physical theatre, approaches to text and character.  I’ve been impressed by the open attitude that people have had to the things I throw at them – this is magnified by knowing that some of the group are having to step out of their comfort zone in order to take part. The rewards have been numerous from seeing people develop skills within the sessions to finding out that things they have discovered have been helpful in their everyday life.  Already within the group there is a sense of mutual support and generosity that’s at the heart of any well functioning company of creatives. There’s some work to be done on their willingness to reflect but nothing that can’t be fixed.


It appears then, that there’s definitely a place for grown ups in Yew Tree and not just as parents and supporters of the well established companies.  The big question is what’s next…well the easy answer is make more happen – it all kicks off again next week with a new set of workshops and I am plotting what to do…I’m thinking a bit of melodrama, a bit of Pinter…I’d like to look at some Shakespeare too…all in good time…a lot of it will be up to the people taking part as their ambitions will steer a lot of what we do.  I’m very much looking forward to building on what the existing members have learnt so far and welcoming new members – I’ve already had a couple of enquiries – so watch this space and I’ll keep you informed of our adventures…

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