Princes Theatre prepares to reopen curtains as restrictions ease
The theatre is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year
Last updated 14th May 2021
Young actors are preparing to take to the stage of the Princes Theatre in Clacton as restrictions ease from Monday (17 May).
After more than year of closed doors, the theatre will be holding its first performance in front of a limited audience next week.
Princes Youth Theatre is bringing its productions of DNA to the venue, described by cast members as a "hard-hitting" and "important story".
The play deals with a number of issues including violence, guilt, unrequited love, tyranny and solidarity within a group of adolescents who have placed themselves on the edge of society.
It's directed by Princes Youth Theatre Group Director Melissa Wenn and award winning youth theatre member, Daniel Barnard.
Daniel joked DNA is a "dark" play to open for Princes Theatre, but said it was important and relevant, and he can't wait for people to see it.
He said: "After not having theatre for ages, it's interesting to do something so hard-hitting. It's so exciting, it's been amazing to get back into a theatre and see people on stage again and even just be part of the process again.
"It's so fulfilling."
Alfie Pullum plays the lead character, 16-year-old Phil, who is a "silent yet intimidating" person followed by a group of misfits as they come to terms with the consequences of a practical joke which ends in tragedy.
He told us he's been counting down the days to get back on stage again:
"It's been a hard year and I've felt the need to go out and perform and stuff like that. The fact that it's only a week away is really exciting. It's really nice to be doing it which such a great set up people in quite an important play."
Melissa Wenn, Princes Youth Theatre Group Director, said:
"The aim of producing a play during lockdown was to engage the young cast to create something exciting and thought-provoking. All of our projects address issues which have an impact on young people and theatre is the perfect tool to address some of the very complex, worrying issues that affect our young people today.
"Rehearsing the play on Zoom produced many challenges, but we felt it was so important to keep the young people creatively connected. We have spent a lot of time working on character and context discussing the issues raised throughout the play and it has given the cast of ten, aged from 14-17-years-old, something to focus on and work toward."
DNA will be performed across three nights from 19-21 May.