National Theatre stages Newham student’s play

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Monday, July 16, 2012
11:00 AM

A play by a Newham student was performed at the National Theatre after it was shortlisted from 175 entries in a competition.

The Regime, a 30-minute play written by Mia Smith from St. Angela’s and St. Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre in Forest Gate was chosen from entries to be performed at the National Theatre as part of its New Views competition.

An annual writing competition for 15 – 19 year olds, New Views engages with hundreds of young people around the country and encourages them to use theatre as a means of examining contemporary society. The Regime features the son of a revolutionary leader who is struggling to find a role in his family and in the society that he will one day have to lead.

Mark Londesborough, Secondary & FE Programme Manager at the National Theatre, said: “We felt it was important to give all the shortlisted entrants the opportunity to see their work performed. We hope that hearing professional actors make their words come alive on stage will inspire them to keep writing in the future. It’s also a great opportunity for all the writers, teachers, schools and families involved in the programme to come and be part of the New Views experience.”

The New Views judging panel included; Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre; Baroness Lola Young, member of Arts in Parliament Advisory Group; Sebastian Born, associate literary director at the National Theatre and Jemma Kennedy, New Views course writer.