Brighton Fringe Shows Scouted For Youth Arts Festival

Two shows have been cherry-picked from Brighton Fringe Festival to perform at International Youth Arts Festival 2014 in July. The winners were announced after an open competition run for all performances at the Fringe saw over 30 entries, from companies that consisted of people under the age of 26. Creative Youth, who organise IYAF, sent their young reviewing team to Brighton to give them the opportunity to select the winning shows. The team were originally searching for one production, but were so impressed by two performances that they decided to invite both productions to perform at IYAF in July.

The first winning production, The Common Land by Fine Mess Theatre Company, is a powerful one-man-show which tells of the stark realities of growing up in the Fens. Tom Head’s story is a brutal one; the language is driven, raw and cutting and the performance by writer and performer Joel Samuels is extraordinary. The piece will be performed in the Rose Theatre Studio for IYAF.

The second winning production, Waterghosts, is an overwhelming and jaw-dropping piece of soundscape-come-ritual presented by Jamie Sturrock. The sounds and stories recovered from a missing sound recordist’s equipment recreate an otherworldly ceremony, seemingly somewhere near water. The setting of St Mary’s church in Brighton made this performance even more mysterious and atmospheric, and during IYAF audiences will be equally blown away by a performance at All Saints Church.

Artistic Director of IYAF Aniela Zaba said, “I saw both productions alongside the young reviewers at Brighton Fringe and was totally overwhelmed by the quality of both. I am so excited to see such raw, young talent come to Kingston and I am really proud that we have developed this partnership with Brighton Fringe which I hope continues to blossom over the years.”

IYAF dates:

The Common Land
16 July 2014 at 5pm, and 17 July 2014 at 8pm
Rose Studio, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (nearest train station: Kingston)
Tickets £8
To book, call: 0844 482 1556 or visit: www.iyafestival.org.uk

Waterghosts
18 July 2014 at 8pm
All Saints Church, Market Place, KT1 1JP (nearest train station: Kingston)
Tickets £8
To book, call: 0844 482 1556 or visit: www.iyafestival.org.uk

The International Youth Arts Festival, Kingston, is the largest youth arts festival in the UK and takes place throughout July. For further information visit: www.iyafestival.org.uk