Guest Blog: Trainee Producer Marcos Melo - Tricycle Takeover 2016

Marcos is a Trainee Producer at Tricycle Theatre, assisting with the Takeover 2016: Paradise Festival.

I have had the pleasure of popping into a richly cultured venue, known as the Tricycle Theatre, on a weekly basis for the past 6 months now, and each time I learn something that has benefitted me as a person and as a professional. My notebook looked like it was being bullied by my pen by the end of the 2 hour meetings as ideas, things to research and advice whizzed across from one end of the table to the other. Naturally this was inspiring, but at times it could be overwhelming as I sometimes struggled to keep up with the pace of what was being said, leaving me disappointed as I probably missed out on some gems.

Guest Blog: Beth Shouler - Tricycle Takeover 2015

Beth Shouler, Director of Tricycle Young Company, writes a Guest Blog for West End Frame about the Tricycle Takeover 2015 which runs until Sunday 29th March 2015.

The Tricycle Theatre has been overrun with young people aged under 26 and the work they’ve made: plays, performances, films, talks, workshops, music and art. There’s a palpable buzz of anticipation around the building. There are pieces of set, costume and props in just about every room, corner and crevice you can store something. Already I’ve come in this morning to find a camping chair on my desk and a fake death certificate. As you do.

I’ve just joined the Tricycle as the new Young Company Director. Last year I came to the Takeover Festival and it was magical, so when I got the job I was thrilled. 

I’m directing three plays and created one film with four ensembles: Press Road Young Company 10-14s, Young Company 11-14s, 15-18s and 19-25s. I started the year asking them questions and trying to get to the heart of what stories they wanted to tell. The performances they’re all working on are very different in style, as are the rehearsal processes, but all the groups are headed in quite a political direction. Some of the material is hilarious but there is a deeper subtext which illustrates the anxieties and questions young people have regarding their future and there is some real anger about being dismissed by those adults who call young people politically apathetic.