COMING SOON

Intermission Youngers – our newest programme for 11-15 year olds – performed Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, like you have never seen it before, Intermission style, bringing it kicking into 2024!

Meet Miss Portia. A secondary school teacher who’s trying to get her Year 11 students to focus on their upcoming GCSEs but how can she when Hamlet’s grieving her father, Othello has been accused of something he hasn’t done and Isabel is forced to confront her own fate! This is no ordinary class. The students are iconic characters from the plays of William Shakespeare and as tensions rise, can Miss Portia steer them away from committing decisions which could change their lives forever?

"I cannot tell you how that impacted on me...Such brilliance. 55 year olds laughing and gasping with 14 year olds as if there were no divide. Connection was the name of the game. I am stunned. I hugged folk for a little too long, such was my feeling of joy. May you all rise and thrive always" - Wendy Richardson – Director and Producer

To mark 15 years working in theatre and with young people Intermission Youth (IY), Sir Mark Rylance's "favourite Shakespeare company", presented Taming Who? at the Arcola Theatre. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, this special anniversary production, adapted by IY’s award-winning Artistic Director Darren Raymond, was performed by graduates of its Youth Theatre training programme (IYT), now working professionally across stage and screen.

Petruchio is studying at university and loving London life. An unexpected call from Mum, beckoning him back home to Nigeria, requires him to think on his feet and fast. What could he say to make her change her mind? “Mum I’m married!”. Overjoyed by this news, Mum agrees to let him stay and announces her arrival in London - in 3 days - to meet her….. Mortified, Petruchio needs to find a wife and fast!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"What is even more impressive is that his team are taking on a play that in recent years has become increasingly difficult to perform..."I have not seen a convincing recent account – until this one!" - Plays to See

"Darren Raymond’s stunning script would make the Bard proud" - The Stage

"a stunning re-imaging of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew! Darren Raymond (Artistic Director, Intermission Youth) is a visionary." - CookNCurry​

A National Playwriting competition led by the RSC and regional theatre partners, of which Intermission Youth is one. The idea - to get the nation writing. The two evenings will showcase a selection of scripts written by Intermission Youth.

After abusing Titania’s trust, Oberon is refused access to his daughter, Asia. His best friend, Puck, tries to cheer him up and when a new drug hits the street, he sees this as the perfect opportunity. But this isn’t any old drug, this is MSND, once taken, it is believed you inherit special powers, including the ability to speak Shakespeare. Oberon is convinced that with the help of this drug, he can get to Asia, but unbeknown to him, Titania, also stumbles upon MSND, so has powers of her own! The temptation of the drug lures them to the playground, where they take on the role of King and Queen of the fairies. Or maybe they are just high?

“MSND will be a unique theatrical event, kicking with the life of Shakespeare’s original divine comedy and the infectious wit and warmth and honesty of the African Diaspora. You will not be disappointed. In my experience, these productions are always a revelation, a revelation about Shakespeare and a revelation about the young people of London. Don't miss it.” - Mark Rylance​

Watch this online showcase in which Intermission Youth graduates and cohort members perform a Shakespeare Monologue Slam.

Sixteen performers take part in this creative challenge in front of a panel of industry professionals. Providing feedback are actor Paapa Essiedu (Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Gangs of London for Sky Atlantic), actor Jenny Agutter (Call the Midwife, Spooks, The Railway Children), and director and Intermission Youth graduate Abigail Sewell (The Merchant of Venice for RSC, Pa-Lah at Royal Court, I AM [NOT] KANYE WEST at Bunker Theatre).

Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance answers questions from the audience.

Available on Intermission Youth YouTube channel.

We are so grateful for the generous support of Mark Rylance to make this possible.

Ten short films, made on smartphones, each inspired by a line of Shakespeare, from Intermission Youth's filmmakers.

Premiered at the London Short Film Festival January 2021.

These 5-minute films were made during 2020, a year in which extraordinary events affected each and every one of us. From a deadly virus to a global equal rights movement, our world - its systems and its people - have been challenged.

Some films have been removed due to being submitted to Film Festivals.

HEY A​

BLOODY NOSES

YEAR OF THE RAT

JOY

MUSTARD

NIGGER NIGGA

THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN​