The Forge: Wychbold YMCA - This Show Won't End

The Forge: Wychbold YMCA

Over 6 weeks, from November to December 2024, 13 young people from the Wychbold YMCA Youth Club took part in The Forge, an exciting arts programme in which participants work with a Creative Facilitator to co-design and co-produce a project led by their own interests and ideas.

The Wychbold YMCA Youth Club worked with Drama practitioner, Jimmy Bates, and created a performance piece based on their shared interests in acting, singing and filmmaking. They also had sessions with singer and songwriter, Sami Cornick, choreographer Lucy Banks, and filmmaker George “Clezza” Cleland.

The final piece is a mini-musical called ‘This Show Won’t End’ and combined live performance with filmed element using a green screen. The story features an evil genius who holds a youth club to ransom, taking over the minds of the young people so that they can’t stop dancing. The only way for them to snap out of it is if they recall their favourite memories. These memories are so sweet and sentimental that the spell is eventually broken, and the young people are able to go free.

Participants said:

"I'm an even bigger leader now"

"Got more self confidence, choreography enjoyed the most"

"I am very inspired, I have learnt loads"

The Forge was managed by Severn Arts and funded by Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health department with support from YMCA Worcestershire.