Printed September 9, 2010.
Award for rising stage star
Bath’s Next Stage Theatre Company has presented an award in memory of a former stalwart who died earlier this year.
The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre was presented for the first time at an end-of-season celebration event on Sunday.
Theatre group artistic director Ann Garner said 15-year-old Philip Davies was a worthy winner of the award in memory of Mrs Cassé, who died in March.
Philip, from Newbridge, starred as Jake in the July production of Sparkleshark and as Mr Thompson in Daisy Pulls it Off last month.
The Beechen Cliff School pupil said: “I am thrilled and honoured to receive this trophy, especially to be the first person to do so.”
Mrs Garner said: “Philip has been a member for three years.
“He has matured over that time into a sensitive and talented performer and also a popular member of the group.”
Runners-up were Tom Babbage, 16, from Bathford, who appeared as Mr Scoblowski in Daisy Pulls it Off , and Verity Ferris, 14, from Chippenham, who was Trixie Martin in the same play.
Winners were chosen from a shortlist of 13 youth members which was nominated by adult tutors who have worked with the company’s youth group through- out the year.
Mrs Cassé’s widower Alan made the presentation.
Lessons in street theatre
A new generation of performers is being taught by Bath’s world- renowned Natural Theatre Company.
Young people are invited to learn from the street theatre group at weekly sessions, working towards public performances in the city.
The workshops, which begin on October 6, will feature games and drama exercises and will focus on training youngsters in street theatre skills.
Ralph Oswick, the Naturals’ artistic director, said: “We will be teaching young people how to develop a precise, detailed character and how to be confident in public.”
“Street theatre requires a different approach to indoor performances. Rather than learning lines we devise character and situation through improvisation – and it has to be funny.”
The first term will end with a performance at the switch-on of the Widcombe Christmas Lights on December 2. While the company has worked in conjunction with schools in the past, this is the first year of the youth street theatre initiative.
The project follows the success of the group’s Fountain of Natural Youth performances at the Widcombe Rising festival in June.
The youth theatre workshops will run on Wednesday evenings at the Naturals HQ at Widcombe. A group for 11 to 14-year-olds will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm, and a 15 to 18 session runs from 8pm to 9.30pm.
The cost will be £47 per term. For more details or to register, call Helen Chamberlain on 01225 469131 or visit http://www.naturaltheatre.co.uk.
