Boys Talk will be an engaging new piece of physical theatre that explores how teenage boys can safely navigate their way through the different emotional challenges they face.

The show is being devised by boys from different walks of life, working alongside an artistic team that includes W&T Artistic Director Janice Connolly, Dancer/Choreographer Jerrel Jackson, and Stage Manager Liam Walsh. Participants are involved in all aspects of this production process – making and scripting new work; creating movement; deciding on production design, lighting and staging, and performing in or stage managing the show. The project launched on Saturday 18th April with an Inspiration Day at mac birmingham and will run with twice-weekly rehearsals through April and May.

This project is being developed in partnership with mac birmingham’s Next Generation programme and with Elmhurst School for Dance, Edwards Trust and SWIIS Fostercare. Women & Theatre have worked with boys from all three organizations in previous projects – with Elmhurst School of Dance during a WWI heritage research project, with bereaved boys on a stand-up comedy course, and with Looked After boys on a musical theatre project. This is the first time that these three groups will have been brought together.

Jerrel Jackson says: “I am delighted to be working on this inspirational project with Women & Theatre, giving young people a voice that is not always heard in society today. Boys Talk is the next step in effective communication with young men across Birmingham.”