Clevedon School Premiere’s Mark Wheeller’s ‘One Evacuee’ at The Tobacco Factory Theatres to a standing ovation
By Education Correspondent
Clevedon School's 31 strong company CYT (Clevedon Youth Theatre) in Somerset, had the incredible opportunity to premiere the musical, One Evacuee, written by Mark Wheeller and others and composed by Jack Simmonds.
Head of Performing Arts, Debbie Morgan said:
“It was a huge honour to be asked by Mark to create the premiere performance of this new version of ‘One Evacuee’ (previously called ‘Operation Pied Piper’.)
"Clevedon School has had a fantastic relationship with Mark for many years, performing his plays at County Drama festivals, winning many awards, and engaging in curriculum workshops.
"The opportunity to realise ‘One Evacuee’, a play inspired by his own mother’s memories of being a child evacuee in WWII, was an exciting project. We have had a wonderful six months as a company working on creating this ‘first’ ever performance.”
In addition to the fantastic opportunity to be the premiere performance, CYT took over The Tobacco Factory Theatre’s main house for a day, with all aspects of the show being run by students: sound, lighting, costume, stage management, musical direction and of course the 21 actors.
This was an inspiring vocational experience for all involved and the start of a great collaboration between the theatre and Clevedon School.
Mark Wheeller and Jack Simmonds attended the premiere and said:
“We loved the performance, the evening and the atmosphere you created from the moment we were met at the front door of the theatre. What wonderful young people, displaying the kind of values that Clevedon School will have been a big part of inputting!
"We didn’t want the show to end. It was beautifully presented and wonderfully acted. We feel very proud to have been celebrated by such a wonderful group of young people.”
The show has a powerful message for the war-torn world we live in now.
It is a story of family, love, friendship, loss, grief, but more than that a challenge to the way we rose-tint the past and exploration of the memories we hold onto.
Oliver Davis, who played Mark Wheeller himself, said:
“It was a new and interesting experience as we were given the opportunity to perform like a professional company at The Tobacco Factory Theatres. It was also interesting having to embody the playwright whilst he was sat there watching. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge!”
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