Tickets still available for exciting new Creative Youth Network show The Edge showing at Arnolfini Bristol Oct 30-Nov 1
Posted on: 26 Oct 2018Introducing: The Edge, a new and exciting show that highlights and critiques the reality of Reality TV.
Taking place at the Arnolfini from October 30th to November 1st, the show will see young actors from all over Bristol come together as part of the Creative Youth Network.
***EXCLUSIVE PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TICKETS HERE***
Informed by one of the performers own life experience, The Edge tells the tale of aspiring performers as they battle it out on a reality TV talent show. A show within a show, it will be filmed and streamed live, giving the audience an opportunity to vote for their favourite performers through The Edge app.
The themes explored are that of the dark side to Reality TV. Provoking questions such as: Will the contestants be happy to sign their lives away, to be judged and ridiculed for who they are? Will they play the game and in return be happy? Will their talent be enough?
For some, reality TV is harmless escapism and great entertainment, but it can also take a heavy toll as Polly, who plays Lucy in The Edge, explains; “I took part in a reality TV show when I was 15 and I had a horrible experience. I was made to feel awful and then the horrid comments from the judges were edited out of the final show so it didn’t show the reality. The Edge is so topical and definitely a story people need to see and hear.”
Commissioned by Creative Youth Network, and created by young people from across Bristol, the company has worked with writer Edson Burton to bring young people’s voices and stories of their experiences with reality TV to the forefront. Featuring young dancers from Rise Youth Dance, singers from Studio 7 and an incredible company of young professional actors from Creative Youth Network, The Edge is written, produced, designed and performed by young people aged 10 – 25 years old, including students from Bath Spa University who will film and stream it live.
As reality TV and social media play an ever more prominent role in shaping the expectations of young people and their journey to success, Creative Youth Network has worked with a number of young people who have first and second hand stories of the highs, and more often, the lows of being a participant on these kinds of shows. Giving young people the opportunity to explore and shape their own narrative around the ‘fame machine’ has been challenging and enlightening in equal measures, and poses real questions for the creators of reality TV about their responsibilities for those taking part.
“At Creative Youth Network we pride ourselves on the work we do with young creatives from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Making a show that is about a world that is completely opposite to our values has allowed us to question and challenge the morals of showbusiness with young people. We’ve been stunned by the quality of work coming from the young people on the project.” Nick Young, Creative Director, Creative Youth Network
Tickets for The Edge are available on a ‘pay-what-you-can-afford’ scale from £1 here. Performances are fully accessible and suitable for ages 11+.
About Creative Youth Network:
Creative Youth Network builds supportive relationships with young people from all backgrounds across the South West to help them reach their own potential and live fulfilling lives.?In our safe and creative environments across Bristol and South Gloucester, we provide social and emotional support, opportunities for creative expression, and access to alternative education, training and employment. Our work helps young people to find their own voices and change their world for the better.
Partners on The Edge include:
Rise Youth Dance
Studio 7
Bath Spa University
Arnolfini
Creative Youth Network
Article by:
Hannah recently graduated with a degree in English with Writing. She is an avid writer, freelancer and creative. She is currently writing her first full-length novel and a collection of poetry. Always out and about in Bristol's music scene, she attends music events on a weekly basis.
