“Without You” by Melanie Clarke
Saturday 26th June 2010
The Mixing Bowl Theatre
Custard Factory
Gibb Street
Birmingham
B9 4AA
Local theatre group Innov8 Youth Theatre go from strength to strength as they embark on their next production. The Saturday workshops are now based at the brand new Colebourne Primary school building. “It’s a brilliant space and it’s really inspired us to produce some great work. The group performed, “Positive Vibes” in February, a community arts showcase featuring drama sketches, comedy, singing, dance and a special appearance by local beat-boxing twins!
Following that performance, the group quickly moved onto their next production, “Without You” which follows the story of a family of sisters and their mother as they struggle to cope after the disappearance of their father. The show is an emotional rollercoaster and gives each member of this strong cast a chance to flex their acting skills to the maximum!
Innov8 members show why they work so well together.
Theatre director Melanie Clarke says; “It’s an emotional piece and really demonstrates how much the group has grown up. It’s a serious theme, featuring emotions and taboos and is a conscious move to more serious drama. We’re currently rehearsing for two plays and the other looks at the controversial topics of race relations in a community. It’s an exciting time for Innov8 and each of these plays mean something to us. We’re hoping to show audiences how these taboo issues can be explored through Theatre and our group represents how well people can work together to produce high quality, emotional drama.”
“Without You” follows a year in the life of a family of six daughter’s after their father disappears, leaving only a letter of apology. As they struggle to adjust to their changing circumstances, tensions rise and rebellions begin. Through the tears and tantrums, there is the descent of their mother into a dangerously depressive state. The play shows how both the family and friends have to work together to make difficult decisions which will ultimately affect all their lives.
Members rehearse scenes from “Without You”
“It may sound like a depressing night out” laughs Melanie, “but it’s actually an uplifting piece which shows how the family learn to support each other. There are definitely moments of high emotion and it’s not a fairy tale but we can guarantee a memorable evening.”
Najma Jokhia, the group’s youngest member at 11 and in Year 7 at school, agrees. Here, she gives her own take on being part of the group and this production.
Hi, my name is Najma and I'm a member of the Innov8 Theatre Group!
Najma rehearses with fellow actors, Aanisah and Zara.
- I joined the group as I really like Drama itself. I love acting in my spare time and I'd love to be some kind of superstar in the acting career when I'm older.
- I enjoy being around friendly associative people in this group, I feel comfortable as there are other people just like me who love Drama, I like working together with them and producing a masterpiece.
- In the play, the eldest sisters try to manage the family as their mother suffers from depression during their fathers absence, they try to keep their sisters calm and reassure them everything will be alright. The other sisters begin to doubt each other and go through hell and back!
During the play, they hear their father has died which worsens the effect on the mother. The sisters try to keep it together and finally realise that all of them fighting would not help any of them.
They begin to come together and the mother comes home from hospital and is well again
-People should come see the production as it is a heartfelt play and very realistic. It is quite emotional and you really want to know what happens next. It’s a fantastic play in my opinion.
-I play the youngest sister 'Ruby' in the play, the most outwardly sensitive of the sisters. She is devastated and unable to cope and doesn't show any anger when she is unstable. When she becomes a burden, she draws inward and tries to hide her emotions.
The most challenging bit for me is to stay in role when Ruby blows off at her cousin when she's had enough of everyone sticking their nose in. I have to shout at her which is a bit funny sometimes as I normally don't do that in real life but I will overcome that as it says in Drama 'Always stay in role!' “
Innov8 has been running in the Hodge Hill community for 3 years and offers young people a chance to participate in the arts in their local area in a safe and friendly environment. “We’ve been lucky enough to have been awarded funding from Birmingham Grassroots to fund this production and this has been invaluable, it’s meant we can hire a suitable room for rehearsals and performances and makes for a professional experience for our dedicated members. We’ve got a brilliant group of young people right now and each brings something unique to the group. It’s this mix of personalities that makes our group special and it’s why I enjoy running the group so much.”
Who knows what next year will bring but for this year, things are looking great and these are definately exciting times for innov8!
Tickets are on sale now for “Without You” priced at £5 they can be bought online at the innov8theatre website
http://www.innov8theatre.co.uk/
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