July always brings a buzz of excitement to Buxton, and once again, our REC Youth Theatre is right at the heart of it.

This month, as part of the Buxton Festival Fringe, our young performers will share the work they have been developing over the past few months in two productions: The Dragon’s Pearl, performed by the Junior Company, and The Night Has Many Eyes, created by the Senior Company.

For months, St Anne’s Community Centre (where our groups meet each week) has been full of stories taking shape, Ideas have flown around, characters have emerged, stories have shaped and and laughed over, slowly but surely, two very different productions have emerged.

The result? Two completely different show each full of imagination, humour and creativity of the young people who made them.

Two shows, two very different adventures

First up is The Dragon’s Pearl, performed by our REC Junior Company on Saturday 18th July at Buxton Community School Drama Studio, with performances at 11am and 2pm.

Warm, funny and full of adventure, The Dragon’s Pearl follows a poor young farmer on an epic quest to ask the God of the West how to break the curse of poverty. Along the way, they meet a host of curious characters, each with a question of their own to ask. But when the farmer finally reaches their destination, they discover they are only permitted three questions… and they have four.

Inspired by a traditional Chinese folktale, the production has been brought to life with lots of creative input from the young performers themselves. Tickets are available now via WeGotTickets.

Then there’s The Night Has Many Eyes, created by our REC Senior Company and showing Underground at Buxton Working Men’s Club on Tuesday 21st July at 5.30pm and Thursday 23rd July at 6.45pm.

This one is a cabaret-style comedy night packed with original sketches and scenes created through improvisation and devised theatre. Sharp, silly and packed with personality, The Night Has Many Eyes is a chance to see Babbling Vagabonds’ Senior Company at their funniest, freshest and most fearless. Tickets are now available at the Underground Venues website.

More than a show

For us, the Fringe performances are about much more than putting on a show. They give young people the chance to perform for a public audience, celebrate months of collaboration and hard work, and experience what it feels like to share something that has been shaped by their own ideas.

But the impact of REC Youth Theatre goes far beyond the performances themselves. REC offers a safe, supportive space where young people can play with ideas, explore acting, tell stories, make things together and discover just how creative they can be.

Alongside learning theatre skills from experienced practitioners, our groups give young people the opportunity to build confidence, find their voice, make lasting friendships and become part of a welcoming creative community where everyone has something to contribute.

Perhaps the biggest testament to our REC Youth Theatre is what our young people and their families tell us.

“My daughter was scared to walk through the door, now she shines on stage.

“It’s like a family – everyone feels safe…it is a community you can be confident with.”

“Our children have found a real sense of belonging at REC.”

A space to belong – and an open invitation to join in

REC Youth Theatre is made up of three age groups for children and young people aged 6–18, with each group designed to support performers at different stages of their creative journey.

We want REC to feel welcoming, supportive and accessible, and keeping it affordable is a key part of that. We offer free trial sessions for new members, and where cost might otherwise be a barrier, we can offer flexible pay-what-you-can support. We never want money to be the reason a young person misses out on the chance to make, perform, play and belong.

Whether they’re happiest on a stage or simply curious to try something new, there’s a place for them at REC. If you know a young person who loves stories, making things up, performing, creating or just wants to find a welcoming space to explore their imagination, we’d love to welcome them.

To find out more about REC Youth Theatre, visit our REC Youth Theatre page or simply get in touch!. We’d love to meet you.