On Sunday I attended the showback performance of the Family Theatre Project at Theatro Technis in Camden. It was brilliant to see the participation of so many families in this unique theatre event. The families have obviously worked very hard over the last four weekends to put together this production. They started at the very beginning by writing an original script, loosely based on the Russian folk tale of Baba Yaga. Director George Eugeniou was keen that they enjoy total theatre; not just getting involved in the performance side but also in the production side and the families helped design the set, lighting and costumes as well as producing their own marketing leaflets.

The production itself told the story of a boy who getting distracted by his desire to buy a toy soldier at a stall in the famous Stables Market in Camden becomes detached from his mother and two sisters. The boy follows the mysterious Mr. Night who promises him the toy soldier and leads him on an adventure. Meanwhile his family are left panic stricken and begin a search for the missing boy. In their pursuit the two girls encounter a fish, a squirrel and a mouse who each present them with a gift to protect them. As they continue the search they cross paths with the evil Baba Yaga who kidnaps and eats children, frantically running to escape her clutches they only evade capture by using the precious charms given to them by the three animals. They finally manage to catch up with Mr. Night and are re-united with their sportive brother.

What was wonderful about this production is the way everyone worked together, you could really sense the community feel of it all. Everybody there had really enjoyed participating in the project, oozing enthusiasm and were rightly proud of what they had put on. It was not an easy ride either, there were times when things were tough and time was short; some things in theatre are always the same! The project has also really opened people up to the workings of the theatre and offered people new opportunities and experiences as well as offering young people the chance to see what working in theatre can really be like, we could even be watching some of the stars of the future.

How meaningful it was to see families enjoying creating their own theatre for a change. It is hoped that this project will become an annual event and I can’t wait to see it grow and expand I look forward to seeing the Family Theatre Project in 2010.