I helped produce this Scratch Night alongside the 5 other members of the Almeida Creative Board on the 14th December 2014, in order to create performance opportunities and offer young people access to the arts. 

We requested applications from young people aged 13-25 for short performances that somehow addressed the questions What is value? What is important to you? 

The applicants had to be, or sign up to be, Young Friends of the Almeida, which for £15 a year offers you £5 tickets to Almeida productions, talks with the cast and creatives behind the shows, as well as performance opportunities such as this.

With Rupert Goold as Artistic Director, there is now a question surrounding each performance at the Almeida, based on the issues or subjects it faces.

The questions above were those surrounding the Almeida Theatre's 2014 production of The Merchant of Venice, and we selected 8 performances from young people that were focused on these questions to be performed on the Almeida stage, on the lavish set of Merchant.

The night was a huge success, with the standard of all the performances being exceptionally high. All of the money raised goes back into the Young Board's pot for creating more opportunities such as this, and hopefully we will be creating bigger and better opportunities in the months to come!

A Younger Theatre also reviewed the event, which can be found here: http://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-young-friends-scratch-night-almeida-theatre/

The performance schedule was as follows:

Are You Having Fun Yet?

Written and Performed by Isobel Brodie

Does depression change your view? If it changes how you see me, will it change how I see you? In a society, dominated by media stigmatisation, what becomes of self-value?

C-C-Control

Devised and performed by Johnny Powell and Sarah Warren

Whilst you point your finger someone else is judging you! How do you fit into a society which fails to value all you have to offer?'

Valuing Figures on a Higher Level

Written and Performed by Olivia Barnes

It has always been a common trait of humankind to value figures on a higher level, such as Gods and Deities. However we now focus our appreciation on celebrity idols, demonstrating our need to praise some kind of higher being. We value 'special' people and use them to influence our own lives.

20 Moments

Written by Jonathan Carr

Performed by Ryan Lane and Grace Chilton

A young woman has decided to quit smoking. However she is assigning a last pack of cigarettes to significant upcoming occasions across her life. Some for marriages, birthdays, funerals and break-ups – this play explores what are the most important moments we value in our lives.

Unplug

Written and Performed by Iona McTaggart

Through spoken word, 'Unplug' explores the value we hold on our online lives more than our real ones, using comparisons, questioning and personal story. Iona McTaggart performs her solo piece that reflects upon our reliance on social media and the way this affects us in reality.

Christmas Values

Written by Arghierenia Kyrimi

Performed by Dior Clarke, Stephanie Gilbert, Arghierenia Kyrimi

What does Christmas mean to you? Three young people learn to change their perspectives and appreciate what they already have this festive season.

Camp A

Devised and Performed by Almeida Young Company 2 - Sally Charlton, Sarita Gabony, Hector Hewer, Michael Jassey, Ashley Tilbury, Lucie Tremolieres, Billie Wikes

Theodore is an educator, in the public education facility. He is sick and tired of being treated badly by staff, students and the world simply because he was born a man. Find out about his struggle and the journey people go through in this world where men are discriminated against by women. This is a devised piece of theatre by the Almeida’s Young Company 2

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