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.”
“A production powered by the frustrations and hopes of Generation Z.”
“[Youthquake] landed with the young audience who made their support abundantly clear”
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?
Press
Opinion: Toby Ealden - How can we get Generation Z into theatres?
The Stage
TV: London Live Interview
London Live
Blog: Toby Ealden - The making of Youthquake
Broadway World
Interview: Harris Cain - Sharing the Voice of a Generation
Theatre Weekly
Interview: Toby Ealden - Creating a Youthquake
Voice Mag
Q&A: Toby Ealden - Youthquake in London
ThisWeek London
Feature: Budding performers get ready to start a 'youthquake' on Stratford stage
Newham Recorder
“A bloody glorious piece of theatre”
“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.”
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
Well, 2020 has been quite a ride! It’s definitely not been the year we’d planned. At times we’ve cried about the projects we’ve lost, whilst at other points we’ve relished the opportunity to experiment and try new things. 2020 may have been the worst, but there is still so much for us to celebrate. So here goes…