Bush Theatre is a fantastic venue who are continuously committed to developing talent in the arts and entertainment industry, and this summer is no different. For the 5th time, the venue is giving the main stage over to new work from the Bush Theatre Young Company.
The 14-17 company presented Pause/Rewind last week on 8 & 9 August, and opening tonight until the 23rd August, the 18-25 company presents the world premiere of Make Me Feel, with tickets at just £5 available.
Show: Make Me Feel
Venue: Bush Theatre
Writer: Will Jackson
Director: Katie Greenall
Runs until: 23rd August
Make Me Feel is the final show from the 18-25 Bush Theatre Young Company of this cohort’s two-year tenure, and sounds like a piece of theatre that could be not only moving, but is also being staged at a perfect time.
Described as Love Actually meets Normal People, Make Me Feel is about Jamie and Ruby, who should be in the happiest time of their lives; together forever and the first in their friendship group to get married…so that raises the question of why does Jamie feel so sad and scared all the time? With spa trips, stag dos, and a big wedding on the horizon, Make Me Feel explores how we ask for help in a world that feels like it isn’t listening.
The play is written by Bush Writers’ Group alumni Will Jackson specifically for the 18-25 Bush Young Company. Jackson is a writer, actor and director; he has previously written Clutch, a play that premiered as part of the Bush’s 50th anniversary season. Furthermore, Jackson was also named ‘A Rising Comic Star’ by Attitude for his solo show Yours Sincerely, which toured over 100 performances across the UK, including a critically acclaimed run at Soho Theatre. Jackson is also an associate artist at National Youth Theatre, and has written a new Christmas musical, DASHING! with Matthew Floyd Jones, which recently received a sharing at The Other Palace.
Bush Associate Director Katie Greenall directs Make Me Feel. Greenall is a director, theatre maker & writer, specialising in new writing, solo autobiographical work, and working with Young People and Communities. Greenall is currently the Associate Director at the Bush Theatre, where she also runs the Young Companies.
With all this being said, it sounds like Make Me Feel will be something really special, and a brilliant way to end this cohort’s two-year tenure. Bush Theatre is a theatre that can only be admired for its dedication to helping new talent establish careers within the industry. The Bush Theatre Young Company has been fantastic in bringing new voices to the stage and continues to be an important platform for the next generation of theatre-makers, something which should be hugely celebrated. It is thanks to their work that shows like Make Me Feel can happen and can inspire new talent every day, and lead them to who knows what heights!
In fact, earlier this year, Bush Writers’ Group alumni Coral Wylie, one of the founding members of Bush Theatre Young Company from the launch in 2021, had their play Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew produced at The Bush, receiving 5* reviews and setting Coral on a career path within the arts. In fact, I reviewed that very play and thought it an exceptionally fantastic piece of theatre!
You can read that review here: Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew | A Special And Memorable Play That Leaves A Lasting Impact | Review.
Make Me Feel runs from 19th to 23rd August at Bush Theatre. You can book tickets for Make Me Feel here: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/make-me-feel/
You can find out more about Bush Theatre Young Companies here: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/young-people/bush-young-companies/
Bush Young Company productions were made possible this year by the generous support of individuals who donated via Bush Theatre’s Big Give campaign. Bush Young Companies also received vital support this year from John Lyon’s Charity and Buffini Chao Foundation
One Show at a Time 