Youth Theatre plays

Stories of The Never Could Be, Stories of The Never Was. A 30 min. play for 28 young actors. Written by Lance Woodman for Worcester Theatre Company Youth Theatre.

First performed 25-26 February 1999 in The Foyer Bar, Worcester Swan Theatre. Directed by Kim Greengrass, Lighting by Nick Marston

I knew when I was asked to write a play based on storytelling that I could rely on the Youth Theatre to generate plenty of ideas in their devising sessions. From them came the storytelling styles that are the foundation of the 'Stories...'

But what story to tell? The breakthrough came when I visited the Swan during the winter's floods. While we the audience stood in the bar, some canoeists paddled past the window. We waved at each other. In that bizarre moment everything clicked into place... apart from the writing, the re-writing, months of rehearsals...

now . A short play for 25 young people. Performed in the Swan's studio from 28-30 March, 2001. Written by Lance Woodman for Worcester Swan Theatre's Next Generation Youth Theatre.

A short play for between 15 and 25 young people aged 11-18 years old. First performed in the Swan's studio from 28-30 March, 2001.

now was written working closely with the senior youth theatre (age 14-18). It concerns the fears and desires that colour their day to day life. The play has a fast moving, fragmentary structure and requires chorus work and movement skills. It contains plenty of individual moments to give every actor a feature scene or two.

Incredible Feats. A street theatre play for young people. Written by Lance Woodman. Worcester Swan Theatre's Next Generation Youth Theatre. Never performed.

The planned performance (20 July 2002) was postponed - In the meantime The theatre was closed and the play was never performed.

The Man in the Moon falls to earth and can't get back. It seems that only one person can help it, but he insists that the Moon perform three incredible feats before it can be restored.

Will the night be forever black? Will the tides stop? Will the harvests fail?

Originally a site-specific street theatre piece, it could easily be adapted for indoor performance.

For a cast of twenty five 11-18 year olds.

now. A second production of this play (see below) was performed at The Somerset Youth Drama Festival on November 7th 2004. Director: Suzie Almond. Explore Youth Theatre, Cheltenham.

Explore won the 'Best Presentation' award for their work with now.

now. A third production of this play was performed at Worcester Swan Theatre on the main stage on July 7th and 8th 2006 as part of the Extravaganza show. Director: Mel Lewis. Swan Youth Theatre, Worcester.

now. A fourth production of this play took place in December 2007 in the Lake District co-directed by Michael Eccles.

now. The fifth production of this play took place in December 2009 in the Lake District co-directed by Michael Eccles.