Theatre Royal Plymouth to host ambitious large-scale performance to mark key milestone

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is creating and presenting a unique performance featuring more than 100 young people from across the city and region this summer, to celebrate the 21st birthday of its Production and Learning Centre, TR2.

TRP is looking for enthused locals aged 8 – 21 who are interested in all aspects of theatre-making to join them in this unique opportunity and become part of TR2’s history in this epic one-off large-scale public performance. Aptly entitled The Key, the show is being led by TRP’s Associate Directors Sara Rhodes, Malaika Kegode, John Haidar and Tom Jackson Greaves and will take place 16-17 August.

Led by professional movement and theatre directors, participants will gain a deepened understanding of the world of theatre making, try new rehearsal techniques and improve movement or acting skills. The opportunity will allow young people to experience and be part of a new and unique professional production and is open to anyone who is interested in telling stories with their bodies, singing or performing. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to try new things. 

Inspired by the tradition of giving a key to celebrate a 21st birthday, and interwoven with William Shakespeare’s great coming-of-age play The Tempest, The Key is an immersive theatre, music and dance experience that will feature the ambitious cast.

Head of Artistic Planning, Projects, Jane Pawson, said: “Work created at TR2 has been showcased all over the world and, now the building has come of age, we want to unite to celebrate and reflect on its past and imagine its future.

“This piece of work is like nothing we have ever undertaken and we’re so excited to collaborate with young people in our city who have a passion for theatre and are looking forward to putting on a spectacle for our audiences!”

TR2 was designed by Ian Ritchie and officially opened on 6 May 2003 by Prince Edward. TR2 is the epicentre of everything that TRP outputs, including its young person provisions and outreach programmes and serving as a hub for creatives to develop work and rehearse. Workshop builds sets for Olivier award winning productions, while the vast costume making facilities allow for high quality outfits to be made and stored for some of the most iconic productions.

Celebrating all that TR2 is, The Key will take place 16-17 August and TRP is looking for actors aged 8-21, dancers aged 11-21 and those interested in musical theatre aged 11-18 to join in. Participants will need to be available for rehearsals from 29 July or 5 August, depending on their medium. All participants will then need to be free for production week and performances from 12 August.

For more information, visit www.theatreroyal.com/take-part/the-key or to find out more, email youngcompany@theatreroyal.com.