This term saw the BGS Drama Department launch the first edition of the Bristol Youth Theatre Festival in partnership with Tobacco Factory Theatres. This exciting new initiative brings BGS and other local schools together with Bristol's extensive theatre community. More than 60 young theatre makers aged 11–18 took to the BGS 1532 stage to perform, share ideas, and make connections. The festival was a wonderful celebration of their creativity and talent, marking the start of an exciting new collaboration.
We were also delighted to welcome 12 work experience students from schools across Bristol, who had been working with Tobacco Factory Theatres. They facilitated feedback sessions across the evening which will help shape next year’s festival.
BGS Sixth Formers kicked off the evening as a sharp ensemble of four poignantly performed extracts from ‘Lungs’ directed by Tarani Jago. Ashton Park School Year 7 then took to the MacKinnon stage with their magical rendition of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ directed by Year 9 & 10 students and facilitated by Kirsty Johnstone.
BGS Year 7-12 closed the first half with their devised show ‘Connection’ directed by Ryan Clune. This brand-new show intertwined physical theatre, multimedia, and verbatim to champion real stories of hope and positivity from our community.
After the interval, BGS Drama Scholars premiered their new short film ‘We All Fall Down’. This original psychological horror film, co-created with television director Clare Harrison, follows four students as they uncover disturbing recordings and long-buried secrets in a forgotten bunker under their school.… and that something in the darkness is still waiting to be remembered.
A playful ensemble of Year 10-13 from Tobacco Factory Young Theatre Makers closed the festival with striking extracts from ‘Chaos’ directed by Imogen Downes with assistance from Joe Northstone.
The evening ended with a Q&A with the panel made up of young people from each group. The discussion was facilitated by work experience students who posed questions they had collected from the audience during the interval.
On what it was like to make a show for the festival, a TFT Young Theatre Maker said: “11 out of 10. It was so fun. It’s so fun to meet and see new people. You get to experience making something with a community of other people that have similar interests to you. It’s great - 12 out of 10!”
Festival director, Ryan Clune, said “A massive thank you to all the young people whose energy, creativity, and commitment made the debut festival a success! Huge thanks must also go to all the staff, parents, and guardians whose support enables these talented young people to thrive and create such inspiring work. We can’t wait for next year’s festival!”
