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Gaming inspired play invites youngsters to get involved
02/02/2022
Mental health drama workshops form part of show’s tour of secondary schools
Young people in Banbury who are interested in gaming are being offered the chance to join the cast for a new interactive ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ inspired play.
The project has been partially based on the work of US charity Game to Grow, which has pioneered therapeutic Dungeons and Dragons experiences for young people with anxiety, ADHD and Asperger’s.
Cherwell Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Tristan Jackson-Pate said: “They’ve seen amazing results from participants who won’t attend therapy but increase their confidence, social interaction and sense of well-being through playing these wonderfully imaginative games.
“We’ve partnered with the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Oxfordshire Response for this project, to promote honest conversations around mental health and explore communication in relationships, though with a light, comedic touch.”
“Sam and Zoe Vs Evermore” will tour secondary schools across the county, accompanied by practical mental health drama workshops for students. The interactive play will also be on stage at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury on March 18th.
The play has been written by Mr Jackson-Pate, alongside Jess Lloyd-Jones and Krage Brown. The story introduces Sam, who is depressed with Zoe unable to reach him, so she designs an interactive adventure to play with an audience, in a last ditch attempt to save their relationship.
Young people joining the project will have the opportunity to work with professional actors and directors, as they take on supporting characters roles, create practical effects, and even influence the narrative through collective voting and decision making in the show.
Anyone aged 11 and over can get involved during the upcoming half term holiday with sessions running at the Banbury and Bicester College campus. Students from the college and young people from the company’s youth groups will also be taking part.
More details are available on the Cherwell Theatre Company’s website.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam