Theatre group celebrating 10 years of drama
NEW BASE PROMPTS MORE FREE SESSIONS FOR YOUNG
AN award-winning Northumberland theatre company is launching new groups this month after opening a new base ahead of its 10-year anniversary this year.
Prudhoe-based Mortal Fools, which won two awards totalling nearly £210,000 at last year’s Culture Awards, has expanded into YMCA Northumberland in Ashington. The group, which also runs Tyne Valley Youth Theatre groups from its Prudhoe office and online groups across the North East, has been running taster sessions in Ashington throughout December and expects to provide free creative drama opportunities to the town’s young people with its new venture.
The group aims to support children and young people’s creativity, well-being and self-belief using the medium of drama after Public Heath England reported one in six young people could have a diagnosable mental health condition.
There are also increasing fears about the long-term effects of the pandemic could have on young people’s well-being.
Mortal Fools and YMCA Northumberland hope the impact of engaging with youth theatre and organisations can have a positive effect on well-being, and say: “These safe, fun creative spaces enable young people to make sense of the world, explore contemporary world issues with peers and develop transferable skills like emotional resilience, leadership and communication skills that are even more important and needed in the uncertain landscape.”
Mortal Fools chief executive and artistic director Kiz Crosbie said: “We are grateful for the welcome we have received. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with Ashington young people via our youth theatre taster sessions so far.
“We look forward to building a lasting, dynamic and creative relationships with YMCA, meeting and working with more local young people and embedding into the Ashington community.”
Rob Cox, chief executive of YMCA Northumberland, said: “We feel delighted and fortunate to now class Mortal Fools as a key partner. Their skills, flexibility, honesty and leadership give us confidence that this collaboration will bring exciting and meaningful opportunities to young people in Northumberland.”
Mortal Fools was named Small Charity of the Year at the North East Charity Awards in 2018 and this year were was a Culture Award for its work on Melva, a creative intervention supporting children aged and the adults in their lives to talk openly about mental health, emotions and well-being.
The charity says that it will be marking its 10-year anniversary during 2022 with projects, performances, and lots of opportunities for young people to get involved.