Gang culture and rioting in the UK are the inspiration behind a new student theatre production.
Rite, will be performed at Northern Stage, Newcastle, on January 25, by drama and dance students from Sunderland College.
The ‘physical theatre’ production uses a mix of drama and dance to explore the issues of gang culture that were partly to blame for last summer’s riots.
Steffanie Ward, 18, from Sunderland is studying for a Foundation Degree in Dance and is one of the 25 students involved in the production.
Steffanie said: “We’ve used Pina Bausch’s version of ‘Rite of Spring’ as a starting point for the performance, its themes of sacrifice and confrontation were really inspiring.
“To this we’ve added pieces based on our own research and experiences. The finished production includes actual news footage from the riots and images of fire feature heavily.
“We all agreed the riots were appalling. The play is an expression of our anger at the rioters. We want to put on a show that people will enjoy but also make them think.”
Sheree Snowdon, associate programme leader of the Drama Foundation Degree at Sunderland College, said: “After the riots young people faced a lot of undeserved criticism, this performance demonstrates that young people are not all the same and the vast majority were shocked and appalled by what went on.
“As part of their Foundation Degree programme students have to produce and perform an original cross arts piece of theatre.
“What they’ve come up with is something really unique and I think will surprise and impress a lot of people for a number of different reasons.”
Rite takes place at Newcastle’s Northern Stage on January 25. The performance starts at 7.30pm, tickets cost £8 and can be booked from Northern Stage’s website.
Photo caption:
Lecturer Sheree Snowdon with Steffanie Ward, 18, who along with other students has produced a new play inspired by last summer’s riots.