Suffolk New College Performing Arts students have performed a new play called Company of Trees as part of National Theatre Connections programme.
Set in a school in a non-descript rural UK location, the 55-minute shows holds a spotty mirror up to adolescence.
It explores big themes related to the environment, bullying, loneliness, and acceptance – and is expertly played by a cast of performing arts students.
The central relationship is between a group of selfie and self-obsessed narcissists and a loner called Willow.
At the start of the play, one of the cool kids called Taylor gets injured whilst doing a gymnastics routine.
She breaks her leg and whilst recovering at home, her ‘friends’ show their true colours, leaving Taylor on her own before Willow ends up befriending her former foe.
The friendship between the girls – that is based around trees and a love of nature – slowly grows.
And as the plants that Willow brings to Taylor’s hospital bedside start to blossom, the idea that ‘it’s not who you are underneath – but what you do that defines you’ – as said by Christian Bale in the film Batman Begins – slowly flies in to play.
The production has been written by Jane Bodie, a playwright, screenwriter and theatre director who penned this new play as part of a National Theatre Connections programme.
This ongoing National Theatre festival sees writers work with schools and colleges to champion young talent in the arts.
It’s a win for writers who are able to get their work out into the world.
It’s a win for young performers who get to learn from established playwrights and directors.
And it’s a win for everybody who gets to be part of a project with one of the best theatres in the UK.
After all those wins, its suffice to say this particular version was a big winner.
It had a simple set, a dynamic cast, a thumping soundtrack and the direction was perfection.
After this short run, the cast and crew will now take this show to Norwich in April where their show will perform with other regional Connections productions.
Every year, ten companies are selected from around the UK to perform at The National Theatre in London. Suffolk New College Performing Arts were selected in 2022 – after this year’s performance – there’s no reason why they will not get to tread the boards once again at The National in 2025.