| Oasis Youth Theatre became the English Champions when they won the All-England Theatre Festival on Saturday 5th June with their performance of One Million to STOP THE TRAFFIK. They will now represent England in the All-British Final in Scotland on June 25th. Oasis Youth Theatre, based here at the Academy, scooped the top prize at All-England Theatre Festival on June 5th in Burton-on-Trent, beating more than 100 productions from around the country. They will now go on to represent the nation at the British final in Scotland later this month with their performance of One Million to STOP THE TRAFFIK – a harrowing portrayal of the global trade in human life. It is the first time OYT has ever won the English title, having been beaten finalists two years ago. And there was further joy for the group, which competed against adult productions on its way through several regional contests to get to the final with two of its young actors receiving a second special award. Charlie Wheeller and Matt Savage were given the Adjudicator’s Award for their portrayal of body-popping vultures who hang over the trade as predators. The play is written and directed by Oasis Lord’s Hill’s arts director Mark Wheeller, who said: “It was just an amazing weekend. To get two of the three awards on offer is incredible. We’re so excited about representing England.” Kimberley Cook, who plays an English girl who is trafficked after falling into drugs and the sex trade, said: “When he said it we were all so excitied and were screaming and crying.” The group now has less than three weeks to prepare for the national finals, held in East Kilbride on June 24 and 25. But as well as making sure their performance is flawless, they now have a race against time to raise about £7,000 to cover the cost of travelling to the prestigious event. They will be performing a special fundraising production at the academy on June 16, but are also looking for individuals or organisations to sponsor their bid for national glory. “We haven’t even worked out how much yet – we’ve raised £1,000 already but we’re looking for a significant amount more,” said Mr Wheeller. “Most groups have only two or three actors, but we’ve got a team of over 20 to take up for three nights and the set and equipment as well”. If you feel able to help OYT in any way in their bid to become the British Champions, please contact the Academy Business Development Director, Kate Bulpit on 023 8077 1881 or by email kate.bulpit@oasislordshill.org |
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