A 360° show about being young and changing the world.

Becky is thirty years old and wants to make a difference.

Frustrated with her peers, Becky wants to empower the next generation to stand up and change the world. Tonight she’ll perform an inspirational presentation for you, the audience, designed to do just that.

Except there’s a problem. Becky’s been talking so much that she’s not realised the Youthquake has already begun.

Youthquake is an exciting, 360° theatre experience from the award-winning Zest Theatre. Developed through conversations with 800 young people from across the country, Youthquake uses their words and opinions to give voice to a generation often left unheard. Featuring a mix of professional and local young performers, each performance becomes a metaphor for the cultural shift a Youthquake brings.

Part show, part TED Talk and part party, Youthquake takes you on an exhilarating journey through the hidden lives of Teen Britain and asks what it actually means to change the world.

Age suitability: 14+

Running time: Approx. 60 minutes

Contains strong language, emotional themes, sudden loud noises and flashing lights. Please call us on 01522 569590 should you want more info.

#Youthquake


Production Trailer


★★★★★ Totally irresistible and genuinely moving whatever your age.
— Everything Theatre
A production powered by the frustrations and hopes of Generation Z.
— The Stage
[Youthquake] landed with the young audience who made their support abundantly clear
— The Times

Gallery

Production Photography by Phil Crow


Youthquake in Lockdown

Between October 2019 and February 2020, 168 young people appeared in Zest Theatre’s national tour of Youthquake.

During these times of pandemic, lockdown and uncertainty, we tasked our young people to recreate the show’s finale, to spread a bit of confetti in the darkness. This joyful and moving video is the result.


Teaser Trailer


Why You Should See Youthquake

Youthquake In One Word

Watch and Feel Like This

Describe Youthquake

Youthquake is Like…

But it’s also like…

Youthquake

noun

A significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people.

 

Tour Dates

Autumn 2019

Lincoln Drill Hall
Thursday 10th & Friday 11th October 2019

Stratford Circus Arts Centre, London
Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th October 2019

The Egg, Bath
Tuesday 22nd - Friday 25th October 2019

The Old Market, Brighton
Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th November 2019

The Garage, Norwich
Friday 8th November 2019

The Civic, Barnsley
Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th November 2019

Gulbenkian, Canterbury
Tuesday 19th - Friday 22nd November 2019


Spring 2020

Centre For Excellence In Creative Arts (CECA), Hartlepool
Thursday 16th & Friday 17th January 2020

Middlesbrough Town Hall
Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd January 2020

ARC, Stockton
Friday 24th & Saturday 25th January 2020

The Hullabaloo, Darlington
Tuesday 28th & Wednesday 29th January 2020

TunedIn!, Redcar
Friday 31st January & Saturday 1st February 2020


Soundtrack


Info, Help and Advice

Childline
0800 1111
childline.org.uk
Free, 24-hour helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger. If the lines are busy, please keep trying!

Rape Crisis England and Wales
0808 802 9999
rapecrisis.org.uk

Kooth
kooth.com
Counsellors available until 10pm every day. Free, safe and anonymous online counselling for young people.

The Mix

0808 808 4994
themix.org.uk
Essential support for under 25s

Stop Hate UK
0800 138 1625
stophateuk.org

Samaritains
0845 7909090
samaritans.org
24 hour helpline support for those experiencing distress, despair and/or suicidal feelings

Anxiety UK
03444 775 774 (Mon–Fri)
anxietyuk.org.uk
Charity providing support if you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Young Stonewall
0800 050 2020
youngstonewall.org.uk
Information and support for all young lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.

LGBT Foundation
0845 3 30 30 30 or 0161 235 8035 (10am-10pm, daily)
lgbt.foundation
Helpline run by Lesbian and gay health charity.

Victim Support
0808 168 9111
victimsupport.org.uk
Support for victims of crime.

Frank
0300 123 6600 Text: 82111
talktofrank.com
Confidential webchat, helpline, advice and information on drugs and substance misuse.


Education Pack

Are you a teacher or youth worker? Then why not Youthquake your next class or session with our free Education Pack?



A bloody glorious piece of theatre
— Thrifty Theatre London
One can’t help but leave feeling a sense of hope that the people watching, young and old, remain as engaged and inspired going forward as they are with Zest’s lively piece of theatre.
— The Reviews Hub

Making the show and what happened next

It’s not easy being young in Britain.

We’ve all seen the news, we know the story: the Mental health issues, the cuts to public services, the restrictive education system, the violent crime, the University debt, Brexit (thanks Mum and Dad) and the fact they may never be able to buy a home of their own (also, thanks Mum and Dad). This is Generation Z, a generation who have no knowledge of life before 9/11, who have only known complexity and recession. A digital first generation, they’re more connected to the entire world than at any point in history, yet often feel totally isolated.

But between the news stories and the negativity, there are the rumblings of something exciting and new.

This generation are realistic, yet optimistic for the future. They’re authentic, transparent and allergic to bullshit. They’re fun and love a good Cat Meme! They’re a generation challenging the system that’s set against them whilst positively redefining their future. They’re breaking down the boxes of the past that defined and restricted their parents. Tolerance and equality are their heartbeat. Suddenly nationality, gender and sexuality become fluid. They’re allowing themselves to be who they are without the labels. Their influence is changing the world.

This is a Youthquake.

Read these blogs to look back on the process, the tour, and what happened next 👇👇👇


Cast

JACK
Harris Cain

BECKY
Claire Gaydon

 

Youth Cast 2019 / 20

In each city, Claire and Harris shared the stage with these incredible young people:

Barnsley

Barnsley College

ELEANOR
Molly Sprosson

EVIE
Eloise Clarkson

SAM
Emily Abrams

GEORGIA
Gabrielle Peace

MEGAN
Amelia Grubecka

CHARLIE
Jordon Tate

JAMIE
Robbie-Paul Ashworth

KAI
Aija Sandhu

ALEX
Levi Parton

FRANKIE
Tyler Beever


Bath

Bath Theatre Academy

ELEANOR
Kitty Lyell

EVIE
Ellie Stiles

SAM
Jessie Tamlin-Hill

GEORGIA
Summer Parker

MEGAN
Issie Sallows

CHARLIE
Ciaran Foley

JAMIE
Oliver Lamb

KAI
Charlie Woolley

ALEX
Leah Clemas

SOPHIE
Rosa Chamberlain

FRANKIE
Samara Romain

LUCY
Rachel Toone

ENSEMBLE
Dillon Berry
Dylan Samuel
Erin Rowbotham
Ethan James
Izzy Long
Nemone-Angel Bengry-Howell
Tobie Donovan
Yves Morris

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (BATH YOUTH CAST)
Emily Webber

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER (BATH YOUTH CAST)
Shannon Lawton


Brighton

Brighton Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College

ELEANOR
Eden Green

EVIE
Sylvie Leggatt

SAM
Lauren Bliss

GEORGIA
Jenny Black

MEGAN
Alex Ridley

CHARLIE
Luke Sullivan

JAMIE
Sarah Fowler

ALEX
Emmalina Garrood

SOPHIE
Isabella Campbell

FRANKIE
Henry Austin

LUCY
Sapphire Edwards-Jones


Canterbury

Canterbury College

ELEANOR
Charlotte V. Hooper

EVIE
Katie Grant

SAM
Kez Harris

GEORGIA
Jasmine Henley

MEGAN
Katie Chan / Saffron Bronze

CHARLIE
Benjamin Pratt

JAMIE
Jared Kaya

KAI
Adam Wright

ALEX
Benjamin Clare

FRANKIE
Ollie Setterfield

LUCY
Lea-arna Holdsworth

ENSEMBLE
Charlie Kennett
Joshua Roberts
Ethan Stammers
Becky White


Darlington

Darlington College

ELEANOR
Eleaner Alderson

EVIE
Sharna Clixby

SAM
Grace Bain

GEORGIA
Taylor Jayne

MEGAN
Megan Littlefair

CHARLIE
Sam Phillipson

JAMIE
Elly Adam

KAI
Ryan Suggitt

ALEX
Riley Curry

SOPHIE
Bethanie Pullen

FRANKIE
Kerris Midgley

LUCY
Courtney Pearson

ENSEMBLE
Charlotte Bannar-Martin
Crystal Bullock
Megan Chadwick
Michelle Goldsbury
Natasha Drummond
Nathan Hullah
Rose De Hennessy
Sarah Aconley
Victoria Herrington


Hartlepool

Hartlepool Sixth Form College and English Martyrs School & Sixth Form College

ELEANOR
Mille Jenkins

EVIE
Aimee Flounders

SAM
Lucas Hogg

GEORGIA
Kirsty Dent

MEGAN
Phoebe Simpson

CHARLIE
Alex Craig-Edwards

JAMIE
Ethan White

KAI
Ryan Wilson

ALEX
Alice Ferguson

SOPHIE
Megan Price

FRANKIE
Dylan Winter

LUCY
Beth Harmison

ENSEMBLE
Ellis Metcalfe


Lincoln / Norwich⍟

Lincoln College

ELEANOR
Alice Jackson

EVIE
Bethany Bradford

SAM
Cas Potterton

GEORGIA
Ella Mackinder

MEGAN
Chloe Taylor

CHARLIE
Robert Hart

JAMIE
Jessica Gomez-Ejimbe

KAI
Alex Creasey

ALEX
Sian Cooling

SOPHIE
Kim Pearson

FRANKIE
Lachlan Madin

LUCY
Kaitlyn Bilton


London

New Vic College

ELEANOR
Eden Tambala

EVIE
Larrissa Silva

SAM
Melissa Geals

GEORGIA
Martyna Belz

MEGAN
Jemima Nzinga

CHARLIE
Aman Basha

JAMIE
George Hastrup

KAI
Rakeem Murray Martin

ALEX
Rance Escano

FRANKIE
Moses Oridoye

LORENZO
Jason Fernandes


Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough College

ELEANOR
Emily Luffman

ETHAN
Luke Bishop

SAM
Alex Hornsby

GEORGIA
Tammi Rafferty

MEGAN
Lauren Giovanni

CHARLIE
David Oliver-Mackay

JAMIE
Ben Roberts

KAI
David McGouran

ALEX
Tom Rook

FRANKIE
Dwaine Harris

LUCY
Hannah Carr


Redcar & Cleveland

Prior Pursglove College

ELEANOR
Olivia Waite

EVIE
Hannah Dutton

SAM
Lucy Ross

GEORGIA
Rosy Toogood

MEGAN
Leah Sturdy

CHARLIE
Zak Smiley

JAMIE
Poppy Patterson

KAI
Jessica Ogram

ALEX
Elise Hodge

SOPHIE
Olivia Elkin

FRANKIE
Maddie Kane

LUCY
Lily Beal

ENSEMBLE
Alfie Cladingbowl
Aura Mitchell
Daniel Taylorson
Dorothy Buttery
Ela Robinson
Erica Leng
Felicity Welford
Gareth Thomson
Nina Simpson
Sophie Watson
Sophie Hewitt
Sophie Mitchell
Xavier Patterson


Stockton

Stockton Riverside College

ELEANOR
Kate Drummond

EVIE
Kate Whittaker

SAM
Declan Bullock

GEORGIA
Sophie Ashcroft

MEGAN
Sadie Paterson

CHARLIE
Joshua Durnall

JAMIE
Chelsea Saunders

KAI
Aaron Fletcher

ALEX
Thomas Burton

SOPHIE
Zoe-Anne Oakley

FRANKIE
Dylan Pitt

LUCY
Sophie Laverick

ENSEMBLE
Abbie Graves
Dion Brady
Izzy Martin
Kayleigh Procter


 
 

Creatives & Production

Devised by the company, inspired by young people across the UK

DIRECTOR
Toby Ealden

PRODUCER
Catherine Fowles

DESIGNER
Verity Quinn

SOUND DESIGN
Guy Connelly

LIGHTING DESIGN
Ben Pacey

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
Patricia Suarez

RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Jenny Daniels

DRAMATURG
Gareth Morgan

PRODUCTION MANAGER & TECHNICAL STAGE MANAGER (AUTUMN 19)
Stephen Harrison

TECHNICAL STAGE MANAGER (SPRING 20)
Joe Price

COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
Joe Jenner

R&D CREATIVES
Jenny Daniels
Toby Ealden
Claire Gaydon
Patricia Suarez

 

Commissioned by Tees Valley Combined Authority, The Civic Barnsley and Lincoln Drill Hall.

Supported through public money from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, together with Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation, Hays Travel Foundation, Sylvia Waddilove Foundation and Lost Village Festival.

Developed with the support of ARC, Centre for Excellence in Creative Arts, Darlington Hippodrome, Gulbenkian, Middlesbrough College, Middlesbrough Council, TunedIn, The Egg, The Garage and Stratford Circus.