Wired on Radio Borders Interview: Borders Youth Theatre talk to Esmé Biggar about Pronoun
Esmé Biggar talks to Borders Youth Theatre about their latest production. This year BYT celebrates its 25th anniversary and will mark the occasion with a series of exciting theatre events starting with Pronoun; part of the National Theatre Connections programme.
Each year National Theatre Connections commission ten new plays and invite youth theatres throughout the UK to choose and perform one of them in their local area as well as a larger theatre nearby. BYT chose to take part in this year’s event and were delighted to be offered their first choice of play - Pronoun by Evan Placey. Director Oli Bisset said “We chose this play because we knew it would be the most exciting of the plays to perform.”
The play tackles the highly emotional subject of transgender by focusing on Isabella’s transformation into Dean and the affect this has on him, his family and circle of friends. It is a love story about a boy who used to be a girl.
“I play Dean,” says Lauren. “He’s not confused but he is trying to adjust to everything.” The play takes on a twist with some creative role reversal. “Dean’s parents are quite confused about the transgender issues”, says Jack who plays the mother. “For most of the play the father plays the mother and the mother plays the father. It shows them trying to come to terms with their daughter’s change.”
The group surrounding Pronoun represents a different approach for BYT. Twenty like-minded young people, aged over 15, from across the Borders, have come together each week to prepare and rehearse the play. All of the young people are extremely keen and interested in pursuing a career in drama or theatre. This project has given them a unique opportunity to perform a challenging and punchy piece of theatre.
BYT will perform Pronoun locally as well as the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh as part of the Connections Festival. “The young participants are very excited about this opportunity to take this play to the Lyceum. This not only gives them a chance to perform in a large professional theatre in the capital but also to network with the wider Youth Theatre community and young people from all over the country. It is a chance for them to take part in something National. They are really looking forward to seeing the other youth theatre productions in the festival."
“It’s a really good show,” says cast member Alexander. “In all the years I’ve been with BYT this is probably the one of the best shows we’ve performed. A lot of hard work has gone into it.”
Borders Youth Theatre will be performing Pronoun at Kelso High School on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March at 7.00pm then at Hawick Tower Mill on Saturday 15th March at 3.00pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions and £2 BYT Members). Tickets are available at the door or can be booked on 07896 620404 (Kelso) and 01450 360388 (Hawick).