An Action-Packed Summer Season of Fun for All at the Torch Theatre

This summer season, the Torch Theatre invites you to get involved and to get creative. With acting, choral singing and creative writing all on offer, the Torch has something for everyone.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains more:

“We’re incredibly proud to be offering a smorgasbord of activity for our community. We know that having the opportunity for regular artistic expression and connection with other people offers huge benefits for people’s mental health and well-being. From May through to September we’re providing a range of opportunities for all ages to get creative – and the best thing about it is that no experience is necessary!”

This summer the Torch Youth Theatre’s production is Wind in the Willows. A firm favourite, loved by all generations, the loveable characters of Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole will take pride of place on the Torch stage at the end of July with a cast of 40 young people aged 7 to 18 taking on this brilliant show.

There are no auditions required to join Torch Youth Theatre, and all members can be part of this amazing production. With four age-appropriate groups meeting across the week, come along to any session starting from 1 May. The termly fee (including the production) is £90.

But our work with young people does not stop there. The Youth Theatre Summer School, with activities for all, is also ready to roll.

Amazing Adventurers for Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7 -11) runs from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August with daily sessions from 10am to 3pm, and as Tim explains, it’s going to be an interesting one:

“Someone has misplaced the end of our play here at the Torch Theatre! Through sessions on creative play and storytelling, children who take part in Amazing Adventurers, will help us find our ending and create their own original adventure story. The sessions will see the children working together, being very creative, learning about the theatre and making new friends.”

For older young people in Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11 – 18) Loud and Clear will run from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August with daily sessions from 10am to 4pm.

“We invite your young people to join our creative writing and performance skill sessions. We need them to make a brand-new play for an imaginary future world which has banned theatres! Do you know a young person who is up for the challenge?” said Tim, who can’t wait to get started.

Amazing Adventurers and Loud and Clear will cost £75 (with a sibling discount for £65).

And Torch Theatre has not forgotten adults either. Thursday nights are for Torch Voices. Join Angharad Sanders for 90 minutes of joyous singing that’s sure to make you feel fantastic! No experience is necessary, and you get to choose the songs you sing. Open to everyone aged 18+. The termly fee is £50.

Angharad said: “We have lots of fun, we laugh a lot! We work on vocal technique through fun warm-ups that are tailored to support technique and strength of the voice. The members themselves chose the music we sing, and whilst sheet music is provided, there is no requirement to read or audition. It's just a space to come and sing your favourite music in lovely harmony with the group.”

Torch’s incredibly popular Creative Writing sessions also continue fortnightly from 9 May. This is where the professional team encourage you to pick up a pen and tell a story that you’ve always wanted to. Introducing you to the techniques which go into creating work for the stage.

Finally, Torch is pleased to announce its weekly Adult Summer School (running from 8 August to 31 August).

Tim explains: “We are looking for adults to join our weekly evening sessions across August to build their creative skills. We’ll be looking at writing, directing and performing. This brilliant short course concludes with a showcase performance. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to advanced.”

Torch Theatre knows that cost can be a barrier, but staff members are always happy to discuss ways to make paying the fees easier for anyone who wants to access its provisions, and if there is a way which you would like to spread the cost which works better for you, please do get in touch.

Tim concluded: “We cannot wait to welcome even more of you along to Torch Theatre to take part in some incredible activity.”

To book your place at any of our fantastic and inspiring creative sessions, call the Box Office on 01646 695267 or click here.