BETHAN SIDDAWAY , SYDNEÉ THOMPSON AND THE COMPANY
Welcome everyone to the CYCC Spring shows which celebrate the talents and skills of the participants who attend our weekly sessions.
This year in my introduction I would like to draw your attention to Youth Theatre and its importance in young people’s lives. Curve took part in the National Youth Theatre Census 2024, drawing together the many groups operating across the country and reflecting on the huge contribution this sector offers. The census looked at the variety of mediums being delivered, the pressure points experienced, and the overall impact it has on young people and the freelance practitioners. To find out more see details below.
At Curve we are proud to be part of a community that provides safe and brave spaces for our young people to nurture their interest and passion for the arts, by sharing the skills and experiences of professional artists, practitioners and youth theatre leaders.
We recognise Youth Theatre is more than just a vehicle to prepare this and the next generation of performers but also provides an abundance of essential transferable skills. When researching a chosen text, play or genre of music to choreograph a dance, practitioners with their young people explore historical context, origins, timelines, social and cultural aspects that gives them an understanding of why this piece was chosen and its relevance to all of us and our communities today. This process builds empathy and knowledge of ourselves, society and the world we live in. It helps them to build relationships with others and a chance to think, breathe, take time to understand themselves and claim a sense of belonging.
Therefore it goes beyond performance skills, it is an inclusive practice that gives access, opportunities and a cultural voice to everyone, no matter what the background.
You may remember your own experiences in the arts, from that initial spark or introduction, to what you were or weren’t offered at school, to any barriers you may or may not have faced or to the opportunities offered, those taken up or not. Some of our young people will have overcome considerable barriers to be on stage in front of you tonight. This is a moment to celebrate the amazing talent you see in the shows, and what the young people have achieved and gained from participating with others.
Let’s celebrate how resourceful the sector is and how powerfully it employs a variety of creative strategies that help to support mental health and wellbeing.
Thank you for all you do to support your young people and enable them to experience CYCC.
I applaud the young people’s and the practitioners for their hard work and wiliness to share their creative and artistic endeavours with us, today. Enjoy the show!
Lorrine Douglas Schools and Partnerships Manager
MURMURATION
This year CYCC Elevate has seen the introduction of more talented young dancers into the group with most of the group being new to Curve. The title and idea of MURMURATION grew after watching the programme, Springwatch, on the BBC. Seeing the patterns and shapes of the bird’s murmuration’s got me thinking of how to show that physically through dance; it also felt like a great opportunity for the group to work on cohesiveness, collaboration and togetherness as a newly formed group.
This phenomenon that occurs across the country with birds, specifically starlings, flocking together swooping and swirling as a group, is fascinating. It became more and more apparent to me that it was this connection, as if they were dancing in the sky, which propelled me to create the piece.
One of the subtle messages in the piece include the idea of what can be created when we come together. The display wouldn’t be as spectacular without all the starlings working as an ensemble, but in our case, all the dancers coming together. In addition to this idea was a question – when are there moments when you are being yourself, and individual, you may not realise initially but that could spark someone else to feel they can in turn be themselves too?
Exploring this with the young people has been exciting, seeing the moments where individuals rose to the challenge of being a leader of the murmuration, to when they are helping their fellow peers. Playing with the choreographic device of “Flocking” in dance has built more confidence within the group making decisions, adapting ideas, developing or sticking with a creative choice, in addition to listening to one another, being led, or being the leader of the flock.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Elevate on their first piece of work for this academic year. They have shown tenacity and contributed such wonderful creativity into MURMURATION
Bethan Siddaway Lead Practitioner
THE CREATIVE TEAM
COSTUME AND PROPS: Curve wardrobe and the CYCC Group members
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Angel Rosell de Pablos and Rhys Parker COMPANY STAGE MANAGER: Lauren Cleobury-Bradford
CHAPERONE: Helen McLaren-Frost, Val Concar and Ro Redhead
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Justin Gladwin
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathan Pryke
Cast of MURMURATION
Aidan Chester
Alexia Neckles
Alycia Adeyeye
Amaya Goraniya
Anaiya Neckles
Bella Basnet
Esme Buchanan-Smith
Florence Stirland
Harriet Mabe
Isla Corely
Kiera Summerson
Liv Angell
Rahul Gandabhai
Roma-Faith Palfreman
CYCC Enhance
SANCTUARY
SANCTUARY touches on the many different environments that each dancer holds dear highlighting the unique, personal connections they have to their safe spaces. Every movement in this piece has been thoughtfully crafted by the dancers themselves, with guidance and development from the CYCC Enhance Team. The journey over the past six months of creation has been one of incredible growth and discovery.
A dance piece that explores the sacred, personal spaces in our lives – those places and moments where we can truly be ourselves. These are the spaces that allow us to celebrate our individuality, where we find calm, and where we can fully embrace who we are.
This performance is a tribute to all the faces and spaces that give us the strength and freedom to exist, grow and thrive. We offer this piece to you as a thank you for your unwavering support and presence in our lives.
As we present this piece tonight, we want to take a moment to wish all the dancers the very best of luck. It has been an absolute joy to witness each dancer’s transformation and development, both as an individual and as an artist. We are incredibly proud of every one of you and are honoured to share this moment together.
Zoe Chambers
Lead Practitioner
THE CREATIVE TEAM
COSTUME AND PROPS: Curve wardrobe and the CYCC Group members
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Angel Rosell de Pablos and Rhys Parker
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER: Lauren Cleobury-Bradford
CHAPERONE: Helen McLaren-Frost, Val Concar and Ro Redhead
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Justin Gladwin
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathan Pryke
Cast of SANCTUARY
Abigail Mooney
Angel Findley
Annie Unwin
Annie Scott
Belle Alvey
Bethany Taylor
Cece Diamond
Ebony Warden
Edith Osbourne
Flossie Wixey
Imogen Rennie
Jaedyn Wilson
Kaavya Ramesh
Kia Warden
Lena Chmielewska
Lily Reyes
Lily Scully
Lucie Ellard
Lucy Bosworth
Miles Marshall
Phoebe Grace Ellis
Summer O’Connell
CURVE YOUNG COMMUNITY COMPANY
Our Curve Young Community Company (CYCC) is for young people aged 5 – 19 years with an interest and passion for performing arts.
Our members meet regularly at Curve to develop their skills, have fun, make new friends, and develop their understanding of the industry alongside professional artists and creative teams. Participants also have the opportunity to perform on our stages in productions and be involved in special events at Curve and as part of our Made at Curve productions. Our Curve Youth and Community Companies (CYCC) are open to all and there are opportunities for every level of experience.
Monday CYCC Act School Years 10-13
Tuesday CYCC Act School Years 7-9
Wednesday CYCC Act School Years 10-13
Thursday CYCC Dance Elevate
Thursday CYCC Dance Enhance
Thursday CYCC Technical and Backstage
Friday CYCC Act School Years 7-9
Saturday CYCC Musical Theatre 7-9 & 10-13
Saturday CYCC Kids 1-2, 3-4 & 5-6
Thank you to Rosie Boxall for her brilliant CYCC administration for the show.