"I am George Stephenson"
Created by the young people of Graves Youth Theatre (GYT) and Paul Whitfield.
GYT is really excited to present their first production. This humorous look at the life of George Stephenson will be on tour in Oct/Nov. Dates to be announced at the beginning of August.
GYT is really excited to present their first production. This humorous look at the life of George Stephenson will be on tour in Oct/Nov. Dates to be announced at the beginning of August.
Making the Play
Devising and writing this play has been an exciting journey. It started with the young people being trained in “platform theatre” by Lewis and Amy from Box House Theatre: https://www.boxhouse.uk/
“Platform Theatre is Box House's brand-new theatre style that restricts actors to the confined space of a gym mat... The actors do not have any assistance from props, set, costumes, and sound. By doing this, it means the actors only have their physical selves and voice to tell a story.”
The style involves physical theatre; mime; sound effects; ensemble work; actors playing lots of roles; and comedy.
The style involves physical theatre; mime; sound effects; ensemble work; actors playing lots of roles; and comedy.
The young people then had the confidence to work with historical sources such as pictures, newspapers and letters and turn them into a piece of varied and humorous performance, telling the story of the railway pioneer, George Stephenson.
George lived locally, in Chesterfield, for the last 10 years of his life.
Writer Paul Whitfield has turned their work into a script. The video below reflects how the young people feel about their script:
George lived locally, in Chesterfield, for the last 10 years of his life.
Writer Paul Whitfield has turned their work into a script. The video below reflects how the young people feel about their script:
The hard work of rehearsal begins…
The play will be ready to perform in Oct/Nov 2025. Dates and venues will be announced at the beginning of August.
The play will be ready to perform in Oct/Nov 2025. Dates and venues will be announced at the beginning of August.
This has all been possible because of the generous support of: East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry Trains, Northern Railway, High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership, the Brian Sellars Trust, and the Graves Ward Councillors (Sheffield City Council).
The play is part of the Railway200 celebrations.
The play is part of the Railway200 celebrations.
