On Saturday, 22nd February, young emerging playwrights from across Barnsley and surrounding areas came together at Barnsley Civic for a special script-in-hand performance, marking the culmination of the Life in a Northern Town project.
The event celebrated a year-long creative writing journey in partnership with Northern Broadsides, Blackpool Grand, and Customs House South Shields. Over the past year, a group of talented writers aged 14–19 have taken part in a series of free creative writing workshops and masterclasses led by professional playwrights and theatre makers.
Throughout the day, the young writers worked intensively in the studio theatre alongside local playwright and project lead, Liz Simmons, as well as professional actors Catherine Copley and Dean Love. Their scripts were brought to life in a one-off showcase, performed in front of an engaged audience.
Reflecting on the experience, one participant shared:
“These creative writing workshops have helped me with lots of things, mainly confidence building because before I joined these groups, I was scared to even just talk in front of people. Now, it doesn’t bother me anywhere near as much, and I have the confidence to share my work.”
The Life in a Northern Town project has provided a vital platform for young voices, encouraging emerging talent and fostering a new generation of playwrights. The event was a testament to their creativity, hard work, and dedication over the past year.
