Looked-after young people sing about love

Published: 8 February 2013
Reporter: Steve Orme

Loving Me

A group of young people from around the Midlands have worked together to devise a piece of theatre on the theme of love.

Loving Me is a new piece of musical theatre created by looked-after young people, aged between 14 and 19, and will be presented by Birmingham-based Women and Theatre in partnership with the city’s Hippodrome, Service Birmingham, the REP and LACES (Looked After Children Education Service).

In October 2011, a dozen young people attended an introductory workshop where production ideas and potential music styles were explored.

Afterwards the youngsters used improvisation and other drama techniques to develop scenes, characters and songs, and create an overall structure.

The first half of the piece is set in cabaret format, with the second half taking place in a TV studio where the audience will watch a young person up for foster care choose who will Take Me Home.

Women and Theatre’s artistic director Janice Connelly, an actor and stand-up comedienne, says, “It struck me how many of the young people we worked with enjoyed performing and had real talent.

“We the public are the parents of looked-after young people—they are in our protection. Are we being good enough parents? Do we love them enough? Do they love themselves?”

Loving Me will be staged at the Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday—Valentine’s Day—and Friday.

There will be a post-performance discussion with the participants and artistic team on both days. On Thursday it will be chaired by Birmingham-born playwright David Edgar.

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