A £500 grant has enabled a member of Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Young Rep Company to devise and produce a performance that explores the impact of mental health.
Chloe Heywood has been granted the money from 02 Think Big and has been meeting people from local foodbanks and charities and attending events to gather information to devise her piece.
‘That Boy’ will be performed at Oldham Coliseum on February 8 by four young people: Chloe Heywood, Tom Price, Rowan Curran and Ruth Jones.
It will include projections and immersive performance and is intended to inspire further discussion on mental health and homelessness, with two different interpretations on what the performance is about.
Ben Hallworth, Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Learning and Engagement Officer for Young People, commented: “Mental health issues and homelessness are still stigmatised in today’s society.
“It’s been really rewarding to see our cast researching, exploring, discussing and debating these issues with passion and maturity in the rehearsal space.”
Since 2010, 02 and Telefonica Foundation have funded over 8,000 social innovation ideas led by young people.
As one of the biggest companies in the tech sector they know the power of digital, and that young people can do something amazing with just a little help and a little inspiration. Through Think Big they fund young people to bring their ideas to life and to use digital for social good.
‘That Boy’ will be performed in the Coliseum’s Studio Theatre on Thursday, February 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets are free and the theatre will be collecting donations for local charities on the evening. Find out more about performances at Oldham Coliseum on their website:
www.coliseum.org.uk
