The seventh annual Brouhaha International is about to erupt on to the streets of Liverpool, bringing together theatre and dance companies from all over Europe to perform with young people’s groups.
Attractions include: Ternopil Actors’ Fraternity, using music, dance and songs to tell mythological tales, also working with Catalyst Dance and Drama Group from Toxteth; Dah Teatar from Belgrade, former Yugoslavia, presenting Angel’s Memories, a piece performed out of doors at twilight about the suffering in their country; and Vis Plastica from Vienna creating living sculptures in performance, and running workshops with young unemployed people.
The festival runs from August 1 to 10. For more information, ring 0151 709 3334.
There are so many drama workshops, courses and summer schools going on around the country it’s impossible to list them all, but here is a taste of what’s on in London: the National Theatre presents a course on mask and Greek drama for adults from July 28 to August 1. Particular emphasis will be on the role of the chorus and the week culminates in a performance project based on a Greek text. Details from Kristy Allin on 0171 928 5214. The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith is running its summer school for 16 to 25-year-olds from August 11 to 30. Volcano Theatre Company will be devising a physical theatre show, to be performed in the Lyric’s main house at the end of the two weeks. For details, ring Sally Goldsworthy on 0181 741 2311. The Besht Tellers bring their mix of Yiddish music, folktales and humour to a summer scheme for 11 to 14-year-olds at the Bull Theatre, Barnet, from July 28 to August 1. Information on 0181 449 5189.
The Unicorn Theatre in the West End has its regular programme of summer workshops for different age groups as well as “Tales of the Thames,” a summer community project on the River, from August 18 to 24. Ring for a brochure on 0171 379 3280. The Young Vic is also running a number of workshops and children’s activities for different age groups which are free to Southwark and Lambeth residents throughout August. Ring 0171 633 0133.
The Young National Trust Theatre marks its 20th anniversary by touring a summer show, Dizzy Spells and Wicked Wheelies, for children in four National Trust properties around the country. The play gets across ideas about conservation and the environment via a bike-riding witch and a horde of mini-beasts among others. During the week beginning July 28, it appears at Buckland Abbey, Devon (01822 853607); from August 4 at Ham House, Richmond, Surrey (0181 940 1950); from August 11 at Blickling Hall, Norfolk (01263 733084); from August 18 at Formby, Merseyside (01704 878591).
You’ve got two more nights to catch Tempest Productions’ musical adaptation of The Tempest, entitled The Strangest of Islands, at the Gardner Centre, Brighton. It’s a part-amateur, part-professional production involving adults and children drawn from the East Sussex area. It runs until July 26. To book, ring Lynn Nicholls on 01273 562595.
