Leading theatre experts from across Europe will deliver public workshops for all ages including adults at the For / With / By Theatre Festival in Barrow-in-Furness next week.

People from Barrow and across the region are invited to enjoy the programme, which features theatrical productions and family shows as well as public workshops, and promises inspiring and distinctive experiences for all involved.

The programme of workshops includes Introduction to Playwriting from Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre, who will help adults and older teenagers learn about the fundamental principles of the craft in a practical workshop. It’s a chance to get guidance, share ideas and develop skills during a 90 minute session in The Forum Theatre.

Hippo Theatre from Athens, Greece will be working with actors, dancers, students and start-of-career performers in their workshop ‘Kinemo: Kinaesthetic Intelligence On Stage. Participants aged 15+ will explore building trust in a team; voice and body warming up; stimulating the senses and group improvisations.

Students and older children can join a practical workshop on producing theatre from The Lyric, Hammersmith, including unlocking the nuts and bolts of producing including the conception of an early idea, casting and design processes, press night and transfer of a show to further venues.

Rebecca Blackman, Director, Audience and Engagement, Arts Council England said, “I’m delighted that Festival of European Youth Theatre is coming to Barrow. It is an amazing opportunity for communities across Barrow to not only see but also be a part of this internationally significant festival. The festival will provide the people of Barrow with the opportunity to access creativity and culture on their doorstep, which is at the heart of our ambition for our Creative People and Places programme.”

Later in the week Hippo Theatre will be working with younger children, who can play theatrical games while learning physical theatre techniques, exploring ‘The Island of Emotions’ through interactive play and storytelling, and primary age young people can also take part in Swedish Uppsala City Theatre’s ‘Inventing a Play’ session as well as a Theatre Making and Acting workshop from Birmingham Rep.

The For / With / By Festival of European Youth Theatre is being hosted this year in Barrow-in-Furness, following two years of huge success in Birmingham.

“We’re delighted that our home-grown talent will be performing as part of the festival this year,” said Alex Summers, Director of Creative Learning, Birmingham Rep, “Our young people are excited to join workshops, meet people from across Europe, to see and be seen by all these passionate young theatre makers plus the general public next week.”

For learning disabled, autistic and neurodiverse young people of ages including their families, Open Theatre are bringing on of their Out and About workshops to Barrow. These are open to everyone and will be full of games and drama activities that don’t always require words to play.

The festival’s base will be at The Forum and the full programme can be viewed and booked on the BarrowFull website www.barrowfull.org.uk/projects/fwb.