Torch Youth Members invite you to Ravers!

Beware! They’re young, they’re awkward and usually they’re excited for an evening of Dungeons and Dragons or robotics club. But something different is happening. The Nerds and Geeks (Neeks) are throwing a Rave at the Torch Theatre this March in a light-hearted brand-new play called ‘Ravers’ that invites its audience to consider the world through the eyes of awkward teenagers.

Torch Youth Theatre Ravers is part of the National Theatre Connections program. Members have been working hard  on the production since September before  taking to the Torch Theatre stage in March before the production visits  Aberystwyth Arts Centre in April. But what’s the play about? One of the young people aged 16 said: “It’s about today’s generation of outcasts called ‘Neeks’ are organising a rave to find solidarity and comfort in being themselves and hopefully discover new friends.”

The plot of the play follows Ali who is determined to host the ultimate rave for social outsiders and face the world as a proper teenager. This is going to be a challenge because they’ve never actually been to a rave before. This will be their rave - they’ll be no drugs, no drinking and absolutely nothing more than hand holding, but what is a rave without them? The Nerds and Geeks are already social rejects, what if having a dry rave outside in the middle of autumn only makes it worse? Never mind that, this is their idea, and they’re going to make it happen “cause neeking out together with or without music” will make them fit in… right?

The young people are excited to be getting to work on the play: “I never thought I’d get an opportunity to work with and perform a play with the National Theatre,” commented one participant aged 15.

“The Torch Youth Theatre is thrilled to be working with the National Theatre Connections program again this year. We know that it provides an excellent opportunity for our young people to work on a brand-new play written especially for their age group,” explained Tim Howe, director of the production.

Playwright Rikki Beadle-Blair, MBE, is a writer, director, composer, choreographer, designer, producer and performer working in film, theatre, television and radio. Having written and directed 40+ plays over the last 20 years along with several feature films, shorts and TV episodes and series, Ravers is most certainly a production not to be missed.

The young people of Pembrokeshire taking part in Ravers have had such fun over the past few months under the watchful eye and guidance of Tim Howe – Senior Manager for Youth & Community as part of the Youth Theatre.

What have rehearsals been like for the 14 cast members?

“Loud but good, loud enjoyable and expressive and what we do is always based off what we as members want to do,” said one young person. Another added: “They’re never the same and always introducing us to new skills to help us in the performing arts industry whilst being a comfort place for us to laugh and get to know each other.”

Tim concluded: “The Connections program celebrates emerging talent aged 13 to 18 across the UK. We are excited to be performing Rikki Beadle-Blair’s play which promises to be a fun filled bop-tastic evening at the theatre.”

Torch Youth Theatre members present Ravers as part of the National Theatre Connections program from Thursday 6 March to Saturday 8 March at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 full / £8 concessions.

Content Warnings: Depiction of underage drinking, Moderate language, Themes of anxiety and references to the loss of a parent.