Cherwell Theatre – Time for Heroes
The Time for Heroes coming of age comedy drama explores the highs and lows of teenage life, seen through the eyes of young musicians. With original songs and a dynamic ‘gig theatre’ staging, the play is a love letter to a time and place; dramatising the tension between friendship and artistic integrity and the joys of creating music with the world at your feet.
It’s post-post Britpop and a spate of alternative bands are playing fast, sweaty gigs in dark, grimy pubs. Indie rock is back in the mainstream and everyone wants to be the next big thing. Alex has a band. They may not have a name, or any gigs yet, but they’ve got a Myspace page, some battered guitars and a practice room above a carpet shop.
“You have to give everything to this. Your whole self. Nothing less than bleeding heart, none sparing honesty. Because what’s the point in anything less?”
The project has been funded by Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Northamptonshire Community Foundation, The Garrick Charitable Trust and Northampton Borough Council. It is produced in partnership by Cherwell Theatre Company and Royal & Derngate Theatres Northampton. Performances are scheduled at The Picturedrome, Northampton from 11-28 August 2022.
- Outreach workshops with community organisations and schools: March/April 2022
- Weekly sessions at Royal & Derngate after the Easter holidays
- Rehearsals with professional company: 11 July – 5 August 2022 (Royal & Derngate)
- Tech and dress rehearsals: 8,9,10 August 2022 (Picturedrome)
- Run- 20 x performances between 11-28 August 2022 (weekdays and weekends)
We’ll then start weekly workshops to continue this work on the play at Royal & Derngate after Easter. 24 sessions in total, we’ll start weekly, building up to twice weekly in June and more intensive in July. There will be an acting and movement ensemble and a musicians ensemble.
Weekly rehearsals will be Tuesdays 7-9 at Royal & Derngate
There are opportunities for local bands to perform a few songs before the August performances as well (sort of like an ‘opening act’ each night!) they can work with our musical and movement director on their sets.
We can also provide opportunities to work with the lighting designer during tech/the run too if you have any young people interested in lighting
