Youth Clubs Unveils New Drama at St Patrick’s Centre

Downpatrick, Rowallane, and Slieve Croob District Electoral Areas (DEAs) in association with Spanner in the Works Drama Company joined forces with three local youth clubs from Ballykinler, Downpatrick and Crossgar to develop and perform short plays dealing with the issues that are important to them.

Working closely with Patricia Downey from Spanner in The Works, the young people have spent six weeks writing a number of short plays to address matters including drug/alcohol abuse, internet safety and safe relationships before performing their original works on Friday, 1 March in the St Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick.

Speaking at the event Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “I have been very impressed with the level of talent displayed in the performances and the creative way in which the messages were delivered by all our young people.

“I think it is important that we provide as many alternative ways for everyone to have a voice and talk about subjects that they care about. The DEAs, working in partnership with Spanner in the Works and the local youth clubs, have been a resounding success and I look forward to welcoming similar initiatives to address these grass root issues.”

Recent statistics have shown that almost half of young people in Northern Ireland suffer from mental issues such as stress, depression, unsafe/unacceptable relationships and self-harm, and alternative methods of listening and hearing from our young people need to be explored.

The drama project was devised to give young people a creative way of expressing their views and dealing with difficult issues anonymously. The plays were performed to an audience of family, friends and Council officials.