Published on 15 March 2022
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Playwright Elijah Young, named the British Theatre Guide’s (BTG) Most Promising NE Newcomer, was invited to observe and assess a version of his play ‘Isolation’ by Performing Arts students at the University of Sunderland, alongside four young professional actors who starred in the first production of the play in 2019.
The event was a collaboration between Newcastle’s Live Theatre and the University, a partnership which provides potential pathways of opportunity for students to consider ways of entering the arts and entertainment industry. Part of this collaboration is getting access to the theatre and interviews with actors and writers.
Elja, from Teesside, wrote ‘Isolation’ while a ‘Writer in Residence’ at the Customs House Theatre in South Shields, where it was first performed by eight under-25 young North East Professional Actors and shortlisted for BTG Best New Play.
Elijah said: “This play was written by a young person for young people so this experience has beeen exactly where I intended Isolation’s journey to go, since I've written it.
“It’s been great to see it performed and studied by the students who have brought another life to it.”
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The story focuses on a group of disruptive school pupils at an isolation unit on a particularly important day; the anniversary of the suicide of a fellow student, who is being commemorated during a special assembly, which those in Isolation are not allowed to attend. The audience is taken on an emotional journey and reactions to stereotypes attached to the young people changes as we are led to a fuller understanding of their behaviour.
Max Roberts, Live Theatre’s Emeritus Associate Director and also a Visiting Professor of Theatre Studies at the University, said: “Introducing students to Elijah's play has made for an engaging lively and fun experience, not least because it is a contemporary play with themes and issues that they can relate to.
“They seem to have relished and enjoyed creating the play and working on the text and finding an identifiable truth with the characters; bringing this to fruition in performance. It's been fun, but at the same time it has explored a serious subject matter, which is what a good, contemporary play should do.”
Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts and Programme Leader for Screen Performance at the University of Sunderland, said: “The partnership with Live Theatre, and Max Roberts always provides an exciting offer to our students in exposing them to the workings of a professional theatre venue.”
She added: “Last year, in the face of the pandemic, Max brought playwrights Willy Russell, Lee Hall and Shelagh Stephenson to the students via Zoom. This year, the students have worked directly with Elijah on his play. Original cast from the first tour of the production have also worked with the students to help progress their understanding and experiences of theatre, scripts and characters. The students clearly enjoy their time at Live with the range of professionals,
"We are grateful to Max for understanding the needs of the students’ learning, and to Elijah for allowing the students to study and perform his play!”
Students have also shared their views on the theatrical experience.
Tamzin Toolin, 19, from Sunderland, said: “It's been great to collaborate with Live Theatre. I really like this play, it's been one of my favourite experiences on the course so far.
“It's nice to have characters that are contemporary and relatable. I've enjoyed playing my character too, throughout the play she goes on a journey and progresses.”
Kieran Donnelly, 19, from Newcastle, added: “I enjoyed working with the original cast and Elijah, it made it more personal to have their experiences shared with us. It’s so relatable and enjoyable because we recognise the experiences in the play. I enjoyed playing my character Dale, he's very different to me, but that was a good challenge.”