There’s no place like Hastings! 20 years of The White Rock Summer Youth Project
SARAH MILNE writes: I fell in love with the Land of Oz and all its strange and wonderful characters from the first time I saw the film as a little girl, so I was delighted to be asked to follow the yellow brick road to the opening of the White Rock Summer Youth Project’s 2023 show, The Wizard of Oz.
The project invites local children and young people to experience working alongside a professional creative team, led by Hastings’ pantomime star Ben Watson. Over 100 young stars took part in the production, creating the full show with just ten days of rehearsal and preparation for four shows between 10 and 12 August. I was expecting an enthusiastic and colourful show but what these young people achieved in such a short time was mind-blowing!
This was a faithful adaptation of the classic movie, with Eden Brewer-Johnson playing a wonderful ‘Garland-esque’ Dorothy worthy of any West End production. Each and every one of the lead cast gave performances on a highly professional level. I was pleased to read in the program how many of them had their first taste of musical theatre through the Summer Youth Project, and are now developing their craft in stage schools and colleges. They will, no doubt, follow fellow graduates of the scheme into the West End and productions such as The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda and The Boy In A Dress.
This year celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the project, and the 2,000 young people who have taken part over these years. Ben Watson explained how most don’t have plans to perform professionally, but taking part in the shows has helped them develop vital life skills and self-confidence. It is an inclusive project, and Ben and his team take great care to ensure every child is supported to give their best and, most importantly, have fun while doing so.
This spirit of fun and excitement was clear when the ‘Munchkins’ burst onto the stage. It was a joy to see so many children dancing and singing and clearly loving every minute of it. They had all done an astonishing job learning lyrics, choreography and stage direction so very rapidly. With just ten days to produce a show, many people would have played it safe, but there were pyrotechnics, flying wire entrances for both witches, multimedia film sequences and an ingenious flag dance for the Yellow Brick Road. Toto the dog was a wonderful puppet who came to life with real character under the skilful puppeteering of Eleanor Wynne. Special mention must be given to Michelle Taylor-Knight and Kiera Wares and their team of costume makers and fitters. As a textile artist and seamstress, myself, I was astonished by their skill in managing to create intricate, professional costumes for 104 young people, most of whom had several costume changes! They also produced monkeys and trees made from found objects and ground timber from local woodlands.
The evening was one I will remember for a long time. Jessica (13) and Phoebe (9) McCleery told me what their first performance with the Summer Project meant to them. It was a challenge for both of them to learn all the dances in ten days, but exciting to dance on stage with their friends. Jessica hopes to go on to become a classical ballet dancer and Phoebe wants to carry on acting and performing. This project is so vital to give all children in Hastings, whatever their background, a taste of being involved in Theatre. Some will follow careers they never thought possible, others will learn teamwork and confidence, most will also meet new people and forge new friendships.
The project is self-funded and not-for-profit. This ethos has been constant, aiming to provide the best training and experience at the lowest possible cost to participants. Some bursaries are also available. The De La Warr Talent Accelerator programme funded a full project space this year and donated tickets to members of the community who would not normally get the opportunity to visit theatres.
The continuing success of the White Rock Summer Project can be attributed to hard work behind the scenes from a dedicated team of directors, technicians, choreographers, musicians, costume designers, venue staff, and chaperones and, of course, the future of the White Rock Theatre itself! We owe it to our young people to ensure the project continues for another twenty years, and beyond.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply