RYT – In The Dark

IN THE DARK cast visiting The Big Top Photo Credit: Olivia Allen

Riverland Youth Theatre recently toured their production IN THE DARK to the Adelaide Fringe Festival performing at the acclaimed Tuxedo Cat on the mysterious and cavernous level 2.

In the Dark was a theatrical experiment created by Riverland’s young people which explored actual and metaphorical darkness. Directed by RYT Artistic Director Olivia Allen the performance was created with input from over 60 young people during creative development workshops at Glossop, Loxton and Waikerie High Schools exploring the process of devising a show with the themes of darkness and light. Over 100 young people also participated in lighting, sound and stage management workshops with the experienced creative team of Hayley Forward, Nic Mollison and Nathan D’Agostino.

The Riverland region sits far from street lamps, shop lights, electric signs and car headlights. The night is lit mainly by starlight and the occasional passing truck lights and farmhouses. Alone in the dark what do you feel? Not knowing what is in front of you or what is behind you? What sounds surround you?

RYT also presented In THE DARK at the Regional Arts Australia Conference Kumuwuki/Big Wave in 2012 meaning that the young ensemble of 11  between the ages of 10-21 are gaining experience of living on the road.

The team also loaded their set onto a truck from the Riverland and featured in the 2013 Adelaide Fringe Parade winning Best Float (with the Port Adelaide Artists Forum). The $500 prize money helped them to attend Fringe shows while on tour.

Tour highlights for the 10 young cast included:

• Conducting a Q&A at the Adelaide Fringe Festival Caravan in Rundle Mall to promote IN THE DARK.
• Cast experiencing ‘flyering’ for the first time.
• Visiting the Garden of Unearthly Delights when they were filming ‘The Project’.
• Attending Frank Woodley’s latest production and then meeting him afterwards for a chat and photos
• Attending productions of the Candy Butchers (and meeting cast), Pants Down Circus, small performances in the Gardens and La Foulard
• Participating in a Flash Mob held by previous RYT teaching artist Emma Dawson and her company Dance Pad in Rundle Mall Myer Centre with 300 other participants and hundreds watching on.

The show was a critical and box off success selling out the season to general public and as part of the Fringe’s Youth Engagement Program (YEP). Audience feedback from the show included –

‘This is a highly sophisticated production.’

‘The coolest thing I’ve ever seen.’

‘The best youth theatre production I have ever seen.’

And one of our favourites ‘Can I join RYT?’

‘Awesome guys! Being one of the first members of RYT Riverland it made me proud that you are still going and kicking it like you have. I am VERY proud!’ Simon Hurley RYT Alumni.

IN THE DARK was supported by Country Arts SA Regional Arts Fund, Arts SA, Office for Youth, and Perpetual Trusts.