Borders Youth Theatre: Wasting Times
Report by Kiera Docherty • Published 10 Oct 2011 09:30
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THE young people of Borders Youth Theatre are in Melrose this week dedicating their October holidays to traditional forms of storytelling as they rehearse their upcoming production of Harvey Holton's 'Wastin Times.'
Written in Scots and in the Border ballad style, the poems in this production have a surprisingly modern subject matter as they cover issues and themes affecting the young people of the Borders today.
The poems were originally commissioned and performed by Borders Youth Theatre in 1993.
Project manager on the production, David Bisset who was also involved in the original production, said: "The aim was to introduce young people to traditional forms of writing and storytelling which they rarely encounter and when they do, often dismiss as 'not for them'. To stage these poems certainly proved a demanding task for the young people but the result was very satisfying for the young people and audiences alike.
"Although written in ballad style, the poems speak of issues which young people understood; boredom, growing up, relationships, thrill seeking. Almost 20 years on and the relevance to young people remains. It will be their challenge to bring their experiences to this traditional form."
As with the original production in 1993, this October's performance will be directed by John Haswell, this time assisted by local actor and youth theatre facilitator Oliver Bisset, who took part in the original production when he was a member of the youth theatre himself.
They will be joined in Melrose this week by a team of talented professionals who will provide the young cast with training in music, movement and the Scots language, which remains unfamiliar to many young people, even in the Borders.
The Poet Harvey Holton was born in Galashiels in 1949. One of his most famous pieces 'Finn' based on folk tales of the Hero Finn MacCoull, was staged by John Haswell and toured around Scotland. Harvey taught creative writing, led writing groups and was writer in residence in a variety of places across Scotland and in Montana and Canada.
Despite making Fife his home, Harvey remained a Border Lad and this is clearly shown in 'Wastin Times'. Sadly, Harvey died last year. However, as David Bisset said: 'His work is as vital as ever and with BYT's Autumn 2011 Project, a new generation of young people will be given the opportunity to explore the poems and bring their interpretations to them."
It is one of the aims of BYT to promote the arts, particularly theatre, in the Borders and this October, BYT will take 'Wastin Times' to audiences across the Borders with performances at the Wynd Theatre, Melrose on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, Smailholm Village Hall on Friday, October 21, and The Burgh Hall, Peebles, on Sunday, October 23. All performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on the door or in advance from www.redshedtickets.com
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 10 Oct 11
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