Positive Stories for Negative Times announce second season of plays for young people

The works will be given to a network of young people across the UK to perform for free. The new plays include Spyrates (Spies vs Pirates): Journey to the Forbidden Island by Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse (6+), The Raven by Hannah Lavery(11+); The Skirt by Ellen Bannerman (15); Write to Rave: Step Pon by Debris Stevenson (18+). 

The plays, written specifically for the times we are living in, will be free to participating performance groups from September 2021 – March 2022, with young people from anywhere in the world being encouraged to join in. The focus is on the process, rather than the products of these projects, starting with a Positive Stories play as a stimulus, the participants are encouraged to create anything they wish: a film, a performance, a piece of music, a letter to their local MP or any other creative outlet.

Participating groups can include youth theatres, schools, colleges or clubs; all participating groups will be sent their chosen script to perform rights free and a handbook of exercises to help their group explore the play.

On the success of the project to date and the new season announcement, Wonder Fools said, ’We are thrilled to be launching Season Two of Positive Stories for Negative Times with the Traverse Theatre. Being able to engage so many young people around the world through Season One was an utter joy and to see such creativity arise from lockdown has been a privilege. Season Two sees us work alongside our Youth Board to commission 7 incredible artists with an exciting range of work to serve the needs of different groups across the world and tell stories that young people can connect with.

‘This season we have opened up the project to invite submissions from all kinds of groups across different art forms allowing young people to flex their creative muscles and celebrate the process of what they make. That may be performance, film, creative writing, blogs - you name it. We have also responded to the needs of youth group leaders and incorporated a programme of free professional development into the programme for them to engage with remotely throughout the project. We can’t wait to meet groups from around the world and to see what they come up with.’

Wonder Fools are inviting any group working with young people to get involved. To sign up or to find out more visit positivestories.scot.