Sherman Youth Theatre Present Compelling Double Bill

23 Feb 2009

Sherman Cymru Youth Theatre will continue their reputation for producing compelling and highly theatrical productions in a new double bill of plays which tackle issues topical to the young people involved.

The first play, The Watching, is based on the fascinating true story of the “Welsh Fasting Girl” Sarah Jacobs, from West Wales, who died in 1869. Sarah claimed not to be eating any food at all after the age of twelve despite appearing to be a normal, healthy young girl. After enjoying a long period of publicity, in which she and her family received numerous gifts and donations from those who thought she was miraculous, doctors decided to intervene. They staged a “watching” in which Sarah was put under strict supervision to determine whether her claims about fasting were true. Sarah soon became weak, and with her parents refusing to force-feed her, she died from starvation.

The Watching was originally devised by Gwent Theatre using original medical records, and has now been adapted for a larger cast and directed by Louise Osborn.

The second piece of the double bill, Cult – A Study, is an equally fascinating look at the nature of cults. Using dance, music and new media, the piece explores the differences between cults and religions and the potential dangers of manipulation and the desire to belong to a cult. The group of young people, all aged 13 – 18, have worked with director James Williams to create a devised piece using their own research and ideas. The performance looks at an Australian werewolf cult and the infamous Heaven’s Gate religious cult.

Sherman Cymru Youth Theatre currently offers 100 young people the opportunity to create theatre and develop performance and confidence skills. The Youth Theatre produce three high quality productions a year. Past productions have included Kontakt, The Gutterfly Tribe and Gospel.

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