National Youth Theatre of Wales premieres new four short films as voting age lowered to 16
Members of National Youth Theatre of Wales (NYTW) recently launched a series of short filmed monologues about youth democracy, as 16- and 17-year olds across the country got ready to vote for the first time in the Senedd Cymru elections.
In #Maniffest1617, National Youth Theatre of Wales has commissioned new monologues from prominent Welsh writers, which have been filmed on location in each member’s own community. The creative process was a collaboration between the young members and a team of writers, directors, and filmmakers. Some of the pieces are fictional characters and some are spoken in the first person, but all the finished pieces reflect their thoughts and feelings about youth representation and how their voices are heard.
On taking part in the filming, NYTW member Megan said: "It was important for me to express the sense of pride and identity that my home brings me. It's time to fight for the rights of the people and place that made me the person I am today."
The first four films in the series premiered on the AM platform on Thursday 6 May, 7pm, and are available to watch online at amam.cymru/maniffest. The new commissions and performers involved are:
Mari Izzard’s Siân of Arc, written for Lauren, a NYTW member from Cardiff (performed in English and Welsh), where Lauren plays the part of an 18-year-old launching her political campaign for First Minister;
Catherine Dyson’s Manifest for Megan, written for Megan, a NYTW member from Treorchy (performed in English), a lyrical response to Megan’s relationship with her local community and environment;
Matthew Bulgo’s The Future, written for Sam, a NYTW member from Neath (performed in English), an endearing performance tracing his political awakening;
Manon Steffan Ros’s Fama, written for Dyddgu from Bethesda (performed in Welsh), a funny, moving reflection on the power of community.
As well as producing the new commissions, National Youth Arts Wales has been a key partner in the Electoral Reform Society’s Election Engagement Working Group, helping to encourage young people to register to vote ahead of the April deadline. NYAW has also worked with the Urdd and Senedd Cymru to help raise awareness amongst all NYAW ensemble members, including taking part in mock elections and writing their own manifesto. This work is supported by the UK Democracy Fund, a Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust initiative.
Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, said: “Despite the challenges of working during the Covid pandemic, we think it’s extremely important that the voices of young people are heard during this election.
“This exciting project, with brand new commissions in English and Welsh, is just part of our extensive work to help talented young performers across Wales to develop their own voice, and to continue their artistic training despite ongoing disruption.”
The ambitious project is the first part of NYTW’s 2021 season Maniffest, launched today. This year-round programme of new work will show what empowers young people, and to showcase Wales as young people see it in the 21st century – a vibrant, diverse and bilingual country with a strong artistic voice.
Other highlights of the Maniffest season confirmed so far include:
Maniffest at Theatr Clwyd: A brand new bilingual digital theatre production presented online, written by Hanna Jarman and co-produced with Theatr Clwyd.
Maniffest x Hijinx: A new devised theatre piece created in West Wales in partnership with Hijinx, one of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies of learning disabled and/or autistic artists
Maniffest / Mindset: A digital collaboration between NYTW and Solomonic Peacocks Theatre, Malawi, exploring how young theatre-makers from different countries can come together and create theatre using their mobile phones. This work is delivered in partnership with British Council Wales.
A collaboration between NYTW and Scottish Youth Theatre, delivered bilingually in Welsh and Scots Gaelic.
As a season, Maniffest will help give a voice to all communities, reflecting the diversity of young people in Wales. This will include presenting theatre in both English and Welsh. As Wales begins to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the projects are planned to be feasible both digitally and in person, depending on public health advice in place at the time.