Young Ambassadors at Canon Lee is a scheme in partnership with York Theatre Royal and involves a group of 15 dedicated students chosen specifically for their ability and enthusiasm in Drama and English. Three students from each year group are assigned as Young Ambassadors and are invited to press nights at the theatre to review them and then our reviews are put onto the theatre's website. We also have a board in school where theatre information is displayed and students and staff can read our reviews there too.
"Young Ambassadors" is not just a fancy title but in fact involves a responsibility as representatives of Canon Lee. During the plays (which we see a couple of a term), we have to act as journalists and be at the ready with our notepads and pens to jot down any ideas or comments we have about the play.
This is the first year that the Young Ambassadors scheme has taken place, so far we have reviewed: Art, Blame, African Snow, The Price and Wuthering Heights. All of the plays have been excellent (although not all to everyone's taste) and we feel privileged to have been able to experience them.
I speak for everyone when I say that this is a great opportunity for us to broaden our horizon's where theatre is concerned and so we would like to thank Julian Ollive and Abbi Wright from the theatre for giving us this opportunity. We are also extremely grateful to Miss Kent and Miss Nicholson for arranging the visits, listening to our "teenage chat" and generally putting up with us.
Sophie Y9 Young Ambassador
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Art by Yasmin Reza
Directed by Damien Cruden
"This cutting edge play, originally written by the French Yasmina Reza, is both philosophically brilliant and thought provoking. Art in the past ten years has become an international phenomenon that no one could ever have predicted...
Damien Cruden's slick directing really has brought to life this play beyond even that of his predecessors, giving York a riveting and virtuoso play that shall be remembered for a long time".
Chris Y10
"Serge has bought a painting for 200,000 francs. We then find out that the painting is white and on a white canvas and if you look at it from a certain angle it has diagonal white stripes. Serge's friend Marc thinks that he is completely crazy, and quite frankly so did I. Rather weirdly as the show progressed I found myself becoming rather attracted to the painting.
The actors portray the characters really well, and you can see the emotional change shifting around the characters.
When the story finishes on stage it certainly does not finish in your mind, as the 90 minute show leaves you with two questions. Are your friends quite the people who you think they are, and what is art?"
Dominic Y11
African Snow by Murray Watts
Directed by Paul Burbridge
"On Tuesday the 18th of April 2007, I went to see African Snow at the York Theatre Royal, with the Young Ambassadors. The play was skillfully written and allowed the audience to engage and understand the characters' feelings and emotions through superb acting. It was a dramatic and exciting experience and one not easily forgotten."
Sam Y9
"The thing I really liked about this production was the set. The moving wall was very effective when indicating where everyone was, and in what conditions...
What I though was not good was the actors having so many characters. At moments, it was hard to tell who the actors were playing. One minute someone was playing a sailor, the next a lady or a slave. It was a bit confusing at times".
Charlotte Y9
The Price by Arthur Miller
Directed by Neil Sissons
"Considering the play consisted of only four characters, the actors used this totally to their advantage. The individuality of the characters allowed the audience to find each of them on different levels and see more than one side of each character. This perhaps wouldn't have been possible if the play had less focus on dialogs and included extras".
Sophie Y9
Wuthering Heights by Jane Thornton (adapted from the novel by Emily Bronte)
Directed by Sue Dunderdale
"One thing that I found rather confusing about the play was that the five actors played a total of 12 characters. The first half of the play was the best half. It really emphasised the relationships and beliefs...
I liked the moments in the play where the actors slipped out of character to explain the next part of the story or their characters feelings. This was very effective and it gave them a chance to take the unnecessary props off stage and put the needed ones on...
I would recommend this play to my mother and grand parents as I believe they would enjoy it most. This was a very interesting play to watch and I am glad I got the chance to see it. An overall stunning play.
Samantha Y8