Solent students create nationwide touring theatre show

13 May 2022

Solent students will be touring a children’s theatre show which they also wrote, throughout summer 2022, with the support of events and production company TSE Productions.

Solent students will be touring a children’s theatre show which they also wrote, throughout summer 2022, with the support of local events and production company TSE Productions.

The project was developed from a module in which Musical Theatre students were tasked with creating a 30 minute piece of children’s theatre, which was performed to St John’s Primary School, in Southampton.

Impressed with the high standard of the students’ work, TSE Productions has supported the students to expand it into a 75-minute play that will tour nationwide over the summer.

The play, called Charlie Locke and their Quest for Confidence, features Charlie, a child lacking confidence but with a fantastic imagination. Charlie goes on a series of magical adventures in his imagination – overcoming obstacles along the way that enable him to build his confidence.

The project has been supported by the University’s RIKE (Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange) funding, aiming to support rural theatre post pandemic by reaching family audiences.

Project Lead, Annie Sanger-Davies, senior lecturer in Musical Theatre at Solent University, says “This is an exciting opportunity for our students. They will get professional experience of working with an established company and rural touring.

The work will act also as a model to create future work opportunities and outreach projects for our students in a sector that is still having to re-invent itself post-pandemic. We look forward to the tour and working on more projects of this nature over the next few years.”

Solent student Grace Allen says: "From a concept created for our university assessment to a national tour, I am so excited for Charlie Locke be shared with so many people!"

Tickets available from the following venues:

26.07.22 Rehearsal and Preview @ Solent University 10am-6pm

08.08.22 Garden Theatre Festival, Bath 2pm

09.08.22 The Barrington Centre, Dorset 2.30pm

10.08.22 Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset 2.30pm

16.08.22 Aldeburgh Summer Theatre 5pm

17.08.22 Eric Morecambe Theatre, Harpenden 2pm

18.08.22 The Spring Arts Centre, Havant 2pm

19.08.22 The Springs Arts Centre, Havant 2pm

27.08.22 The Carnegie, Thetford 2pm

28.08.22 Southwold Summer Theatre 4pm

31.08.22 Rose Theatre, Tewkesbury 2pm