Youth Takeover 2025 Success!
Young Performers Shine at Youth Takeover 2025
Last month, our talented young performers from Playmakers Youth Theatre and after-school drama clubs lit up the stage at Theatre Royal Winchester for our annual Youth Takeover - now a much-loved highlight of the theatre's spring season.
Original Shows Inspired by Shakespeare
After months of developing ideas, building performance skills, and growing in confidence since September, our groups - from School Years 2 to 10+, along with our South Wonston and Wickham primary school drama clubs - were ready to wow audiences with a series of original shows. Each piece was devised by the young performers and inspired by the works of Sir William Shakespeare.
In front of an audience of proud friends, family, theatre staff, and volunteers, the groups delivered creative takes on Shakespeare’s classics. One group offered a powerful retelling of The Tempest, revealing the tragic truth behind one of the bard’s iconic characters. Another mashed up A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet to explore themes of rivalry and competition in Shakespeare’s world.
Celebrating Young Talent and Creativity
The performances also featured candid reflections on the nation’s love-hate relationship with Shakespeare’s works, as well as original sonnets written and performed by the young people themselves - enhanced by masks they had crafted to bring their characters to life.
Adding to the event's community feel, the Sunny Choir from the Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association performed uplifting songs, while young makers sold their crafts - including art, candles, soaps, and crochet - at a vibrant Maker’s Market in the theatre’s Atrium.
"This is a celebration of young people! The groups have worked well together and they’ve been involved in as many decisions as possible. It’s definitely about celebrating them and what they wanted to bring to the Takeover."
Our Young People's Producer, Shian Hunter, said: "They’ve had to do a lot of learning about Shakespeare, the different genres, particular shows, they’ve explored how they feel about Shakespeare. We’ve definitely challenged them and I’m really proud of their hard work."
Next Stop: Hat Fair 2025
Now, our young performers are looking ahead as they begin working on brand new shows for Hat Fair 2025 - the UK’s longest-running Outdoor Arts festival, taking place in Winchester on Saturday 5 July.
