Every now and again, people feel as though the creative scene can be a slightly restrictive place for inspiring creatives to be, but over at Inspire Youth Arts, they have made it their mission to ensure that every young person has access to the arts. We visited Nottingham Playhouse to immerse ourselves in some top quality performances as part of Inspire’s huge showcase...
As the lights began to dim and the audience took to their seats, the evening kicked off with a beautiful orchestra piece performed by Able Orchestra and Friends. This group of musicians included Jess Fisher and Marshall Fairbrother, joined with Khris Halphin from Dyskinetic as well as Sarah Fisher and musicians from the Riot Ensemble. Completely filling the entire Playhouse theatre, this serene and enticing performance had the audience hooked.
Following this beautifully curated performance were three immensely talented dance groups: Nottinghamshire Contemporary Dance Company (NCYDC), Burton Joyce Junior Dance Company, and SANDance. NCYDC showcased a vibrant, energetic performance by some of Nottingham’s wonderfully talented young people. Shortly after, the primary school children over at Burton Joyce Dance Company put on a fantastic (and utterly adorable) show for us; the perfect escapism.
ALT BLK ERA were full of energy from the moment they entered the stage to the moment they left. The performance was one that got the audience on their feet and singing along with songs they had never heard before. The duo had pure charisma; after recently playing at Glastonbury and being announced for Reading and Leeds festival, it is clear that they will have a successful career in the future. The two songs they performed were a mix of pop-punk and metal and while it was certainly a different vibe to the other artists, it’s fair to say it was an electric end to the first act.
For Act 2, enigmatic dance collective The Mother of Tension, "a ground-breaking Hip Hop dance theatre piece," exploded onto the stage with an incredible and thought provoking performance. They explored the complexities and nuances of war whilst engaging the audience in a beautifully moving piece. The production was captivating and the dancers moved in perfect harmony while creating a piece that is sure to leave a mark on the audience.
This showcase demonstrated the professionalism, talent, and hardworking nature of Nottingham youth and wonderfully reflected the inclusive and celebratory ethos of Inspire Youth as outlined by the Chief Executive Officer, Peter Gaw:
“At Inspire, we believe all young people can make great art and we are excited to showcase the best of talent from across our county to the people of Nottinghamshire”.
To keep up to date with all things Inspire, check out their website here.
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