A Summer Celebration to include UpRoar festival, showcasing the work of the Sherman’s Introduction to Playwriting participants, the first live Sherman Players production in three years – Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood – and a fun new version of Treasure Island brought to life by Sherman Youth Theatre and Sherbets.
Developing young people and providing opportunities for non-professional performers are hugely important elements of the Sherman’s work. We offer a variety of sector leading and well established Creative Engagement programmes.
Our programmes enable young people and non-professional performers from across Cardiff and South Wales to unleash their creativity allowing them to grow their skills, build their confidence and meet others. A Summer Celebration (24 June – 30 July) vibrantly showcases the extraordinary creativity of the participants of Sherman Theatre’s Introduction to Playwriting, Sherbets, Players and Youth Theatre programmes. This joyous celebration sees the young and non-professional performers and theatre makers take over the Sherman to offer audiences unique and uplifting theatre experiences. A Summer Celebration revels in our participants, theatre makers and audiences being able to once again connect with our Creative Engagement work.
Since 2018, young people aged 15 – 18 have explored and developed their creative writing skills through our Introduction to Playwriting programme which has helped nurture the voices of our youngest writers. The UpRoar festival, taking place in the Studio, will bring together performances of work by existing and past participants.
UpRoar will also offer a platform for underrepresented voices. Young people who are neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+ or are displaced persons will take part in a series of writing workshops led by expert practitioners including Katie Elin-Salt, Sherman Literary Manager Branwen Davies and Literary Associate Alice Eklund to develop short plays. The young people will then have an opportunity to see these short pieces performed in a series of Scratch Sessions.
Sherman Players is Sherman Theatre’s friendly, fun and welcoming theatre group for everyone over 18. This non-professional ensemble will stage Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood (21 – 23 July) by Adam Szymkowicz in the Main House, their first live production since 2019’s ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. This hugely funny play for grown-ups flips the legend on its head creating a Robin Hood for our times. Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is designed by Aled Wyn Williams.
The Main House will reverberate with riotous energy as dozens of Sherman Youth Theatre participants, from Sherman Theatre’s flagship youth theatre programme, take to the stage with a fun swashbuckling new version of Treasure Island (28 – 30 July). Ideal for audiences aged 7 plus, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic coming of age adventure story is adapted by Sherman Theatre’s Creative Engagement Manager Timothy Howe. Performers on stage aged 8-18 will be joined by members of our youngest group, Sherman Sherbets, who will appear in recorded audio. Treasure Island, directed by Sherman Youth Theatre teaching artists and designed by Aled Wyn Williams, promises an irresistibly entertaining treat this summer.
Sherman Theatre’s extensive Creative Engagement activity would not be possible without the skilled practitioners and teaching artists who work alongside the Sherman’s Creative Engagement team to deliver the programmes. By bringing together an expert team of creatives to collaborate on the performances, A Summer Celebration recognises their vital contribution to this work.
Artistic Director Joe Murphy has said:
“Our youngest theatre makers and Sherman Players always bring such creativity, new perspectives and richness to the Sherman. A Summer Celebration recognises their hard work and demonstrates how important our Creative Engagement work is to Sherman Theatre. I can’t wait to see what they will produce this summer.”
Introduction to Playwriting: UpRoar
Friday night performances: 24 June, 1 & 8 July, 7.30pm
Saturday night performances including scratch sessions: 25 June, 2 & 9 July, 7.00pm
Tickets: £3 per performance
Sherman Players: Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood
21 – 23 July 7.30pm
By Adam Szymkowicz
Designed by Aled Wyn Williams
Assistant Director Leigh Woolford
Sherman Youth Theatre: Treasure Island
28 – 30 July 6.30pm
By Timothy Howe
Directed by Timothy Howe
Designed by Aled Wyn Williams
TEACHING ARTISTS
Steve Bennett, Nerida Bradley, Ashley Cummings, Hafwen Hibbard, Cassidy Howard-Kemp, Sophie Hughes, Mabel McKeowen, Rachel Morgan-Belle, Debbie Riggs, Karah Watkins