Young people’s ‘Our World Festival’ comes to Marjon Arts Centre

Released: 28.06.23

The four-year ‘With Flying Colours’ programme, which strives to provide young people with exciting cultural opportunities, is coming to a close with young people across Plymouth ready to perform at Our World Festival. 

11 schools have collaborated to co-write plays around the project's subject, ‘Our World’. Theatre and performance artists have worked with young people in a range of year groups to co-create school plays, strengthening the sense of community that comes with it and creating tales that are based entirely on the imaginations and experiences of the children. 290 young people from Plymouth have had the chance to collaborate with highly qualified professional theatre makers to create performances this year. 

‘With Flying Colours’ is led by the Plymouth Cultural Education Partnership and funded by the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, and Arts Council England. Theatre Royal Plymouth led the project, which brings together cultural organisations, independent artists, and schools from across the city. 

Project manager for With Flying Colours Lucy Donald said: 

“The Our World Festival is the culmination of four years of co-creation with young people, teachers, community groups, and cultural delivery partners across Plymouth. 

“Every element of the festival has been co-created with young people, from our logo to the themes of their performances, music choices, puppets, lighting – you name it, it’s been co-created. The Our World Festival is an opportunity for the young people of Plymouth to be heard – this is their city, and their creative manifesto for the future.”  

Plymouth Marjon University is a key player in growing the arts and culture offer in the Northern Quarter of Plymouth. The University consistently offers stand-up comedy and performances at its Arts Centre from national stars like Simon Brodkin, Jen Brister, and Angela Barnes. Marjon is also home to Figurehead II, the iconic sculpture featured in The Box in 2020, as part of its vision to deliver more cultural opportunities for the growing northern Plymouth community. 

The event will highlight the breadth of artistic endeavours from areas across the city including Southway, Stonehouse, Devonport, and Whitleigh. The Marjon Arts Centre and Soapbox Children's Theatre in Devonport Park will host the event in June. 

Sarah McAdam, Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Marjon commented:  

“I’m thrilled that the culmination of this four-year community arts project could take place here at Marjon. It’s inspiring to see young people perform their own work in the same venue as professionals and household names, and to welcome their friends and families. There is such a wealth of talent across the City and a real appetite for collaboration and that is demonstrated in this project.” 

Additionally, it will highlight the efforts of the project's Youth Steering Group, the Co-Pilots, and collaborations with the local communities between Take a Part CIC, Devonport Community Choir, Whitleigh Big Local, and the Whitleigh Community Art Group. 

Find out more about With Flying Colours here and check out the latest shows at the Marjon Arts Centre here.