Young people and community leaders who participated in a Level 1 Performance Skills course with the WEA recently performed ‘21st Century Life’ in the Millennium Forum.

The group, who have tutored by local community dramatist and WEA Tutor, Mary Duddy, developed new drama and acting skills which the group then  used to devise a piece of the theatre that they entitled 21st Century Life. They also had the opportunity to research what jobs exist in the entertainment industry and conducted a research visit to the Millennium Forum.

Their piece ‘21st Century Life’ examines the pressures of growing up in the 21st century, not just on young people but also the pressures of being a parent today. Mayor of Derry Gerard Diver commented that “ the issues in the play very successfully conveyed the pressures of modern life today on both young people and parents” and noted that the play was “well scripted and very humorous in parts  - an excellent piece which deserves to be seen by a much wider audience”.

Sinead Devine,  WEA Development officer felt that it was important to note that some of the cast had never acted before and had never been part of a live performance. She also noted that some of the devices used in the play such as the two media hypes who also doubled as the consciences of the other characters really brought home some of the dilemmas and pressures of modern living. She concluded the evening with thanks to their community partner Hillcrest House and to the parents of the group for all their support which helped make the project such as success.