The Doctor, the Devils and the Performance

By this time last week the YOUNG Co. would have committed 8 murders and polished off endless bottles of Gin, with plenty more to go in the second half!

I'm referring of course to their performance of The Doctor and the Devils, the story of the infamous Burke and Hare, which took place in the Circle Studio between the 17th and 20th October. A great week but certainly not easy going, with a very short rehearsal period and three days final push to work in the space, including tech and dress rehearsals. The backstage staff working hard to finish off props and costumes, Nigel making final adjustments to his excellent soundtrack, desperate attempts to make a riot look convincing with 3 people, many discussions about a mouse (a prop not a real one!), who's got what bottle when and what do we do with the savages hair?! A real team effort went in to creating this show, with Liam, my assistant director, a constant support. Neil Haynes the designer created a really interesting setting for the play, which saw a complete transformation of the Circle venue. Lighting, costume and sound all assisting in creating a suitably atmospheric world for this disturbing play.

The YOUNG Co. did themselves proud, giving very mature and committed performances, deserving of the full audiences and the all round positive response they received, including reviews in The Scotsman and Herald. Here's to the next YOUNG Co. adventure...
ps...I enjoyed the last night party as well !

Neil Packham
YOUNG Co. Director

The Doctor and The Devils

Having been away in Belfast for a couple of weeks, I unfortunately missed the most recent production by the Citizens' YOUNG Co. of The Doctor and The Devils by Dylan Thomas. I've heard great things and by the looks of the photos (by Iain G. Farrell) a rather ghoulish (...and stylish!) evening was had by all.Click on The Doctor and The Devils to see more photos on Flickr.

...and no, before you ask, we didn't have a huge budget to bring in Elijah Wood as a guest star, that is in fact Michael, looking spookily like Frodo in the picture below!!Hx

Contacting the World Disappointment

Just returned from a great holiday to not such good news.
I'm sorry to report to all those in YOUNG Co. who contributed to the 2nd stage of the application for Contacting The World, that unfortunately we didn't make it through. I was proud our efforts and enjoyed the process. It was certainly a great afternoon at the museum and I will view fusty old paintings in a new light.

On a positive note...looking forward to YOUNG Co. Summer School 6th-10th August and our visit to The College of Surgeons in Edinburgh on the 13th. I get the impression that this trip will not be for the squeamish but if it can be stomached, will be of great interest in terms of researching the world of Burke/Hare and Doctor Knox...for the YOUNG Co.'s production of The Doctor and The Devils at the Citz this autumn.

Neil