For the first time, all five of Forest Forge’s Youth Theatre groups will be coming together for an outdoor show.

As we come out of lockdown, Joy is the story of resilience and how we have found Joy in new places, and the merriment to once again being able to come together.

Forest Forge Theatre is based in Ringwood and support communities across the New Forest.

The show tells the story of Mr Blue who has lost his mojo and there’s nothing that seems to bring a smile to his face. Until a motley crew of inventive misfits take it upon themselves to present joy to him in all its forms.

Join Forest Forge Theatre on a surrealist journey and discover Joy in a street theatre style promenade performance with a dash of circus added to the mix.

Joy is set around the beautiful Queen’s House Gardens, a Forestry England space in Lyndhurst.

It is thanks to the Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund that Forest Forge Theatre has been able to create this show to engage with live audiences for the first time since the lockdowns in 2020, and thanks too for the support of Forestry England for the beautiful venue.

Joy has been three months in the making from Forest Forge’s creative and learning director Lucy Phillips and the team.

A statement said: “This is an incredible show. We are having to rehearse in our individual bubbles and then come together to perform in a way that if any cast members have to self isolate, that the show can continue.

“The Youth Theatres cast (ages 10 - 24) will create scenes of joy as we focus on joy in their lives during a difficult time. There are sequences including giant bubbles, dancing and beautiful poems - which have been written during lockdown. As a theatre company we have researched all the things that bring people joy, and we’ve had fun experiencing some of those things such as juggling and circus skills.

“The show is celebrating all the things that bring joy in a very visual way where we respond to the beautiful surroundings that we will be performing in, such as meadows and being amongst the trees. The audience move to follow the performers within Queen’s House Gardens, it really is going to be a magical experience”

Joy will take place on Monday July 19 July at 8pm and Tuesday 20 July at both 6pm and 8pm.

Visit: forestforgetheatre.co.uk

 

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