A student takeover at the theatre

THIS week sees students from York St John University taking over York Theatre Royal as part of the Takeover 2024. Now in its twelfth year – and the fourth run exclusively by York St John students – the Takeover Festival gives young people the opportunity to gain work experience with support and mentoring from industry professionals.

Students from the School of the Arts have produced the programme for the festival, open to the public, running from today until Saturday.

As well as established acts, eight production companies made up of York St John students will tread the boards, as well as a special performance by the Out of Character Theatre Company.

Highlights of the festival include bestselling author Hollie McNish reading from her new book, Lobster and other things I’m learning to love, The Real Manhunter Live!, with retired Metropolitan Police Murder Squad detective Colin Sutton, Locomotive for Murder, an improvised whodunnit using audience suggestions, performed by the Pinch Punch theatre company, Alice in Wonderland Abridged, performed by Pop Yer Clogs and VERVE, a triple bill of bold dance work.

Performances from York St John students include TheWomenofWhitechapel by Misery Loves, a musical exploring the lives of the victims of Jack the Ripper; Verbal Theatre, an allfemale company with a performance about the experiences of growing up as a woman; and Bounce Back, a performance based on friendship.