Little Bulb Theatre perform Operation Greenfield

Although most of us know the Junction as the place to go for rock gigs, folk and the odd bit of experimental theatre, there’s a lot more to this hotbed of creative talent, as Olivia Abbott finds out

Story of A Rabbit CREDIT Geraint Lewis

Say ‘the Junction’ to most Cantabrigians, and chances are they’ll think of rock gigs and club nights. But what a lot of people don’t know is that behind the scenes this charity works to encourage local youngsters’ interest in the peforming arts, and to support up-and-coming artists and groups.

‘There’s a whole range of work that’s happening here all the time,’ says the Junction’s creative producer, Kate Madden. ‘We receive a huge amount of support from the Arts Council, and we’re a National Portfolio Organisation - and at the heart of that is talent development.’

Linked closely with thisis the work of learning skills manager Marie Kennedy, whose role is to get local young people engaged with the Junction and participating in arts activities.

‘We’ve got three young people’s companies in house,’ says Marie. ‘We have Junction Youth Company (JYC), which is primarily theatre based; then we have Junction Youth Dance Company, who meet every other week; and thirdly there’s Total Arts, which is for disabled young people.’

Bryony Kimmings has been supported by the Junction and now helps develp young talent herself

A sample of creativity

All three of these groups have been commissioned by The Junction to create pieces of work for the Youth Sampled festival which takes place next April. In addition, schools in the area are being invited to take part. ‘We want young people to devise a piece of work that is a maximum of 30 minutes long, and has five performers,’ says Marie. ‘We’re going to audition them and choose the top 20 and show them over the weekend.’

Both Marie and Kate stress that the idea is to give young people their own creative voice, rather than telling them to put on this play and do it this way.’That’s what we’re really trying to push – the idea that we’re nurturing talent of the future,’ says Marie.

The Junction home of local artistic talent development

And if someone is truly serious about a career in the performing arts, the Junction will continue to support them in that choice. Says Kate, ‘We’re a very open space where local artists who might need support and advice or who want to start a conversation, feel that they can.’

Local talent

Among the acts and artists that the Junction supports are a host of local performers and groups, including Bryony Kimmings, Night Light Theatre Company, Hoipolloi and New International Encounter. And all of these performers are keen to give something back to the Junction, and in turn, support other youngsters and the youth work that is done here.

NIE perform this year's Christmas show Hansel and Gretel

Bryony Kimmings, who is from St Ives, has had great success with her shows MEGA and 7 Day Drunk, taking them to Edinburgh through schemes organised through the Junction. ‘The Junction was the only place locally that provided the sort of theatre I was interested in,’ Bryony says. ‘And it’s also one of the main partners in the Arts Council East’s Escalator Scheme whose remit is to allow artists from the east region to be able to base their practice in the region. Right from the beginning I was supported by that scheme.’

Now, performers like Bryony are helping to set creative youngsters on the path to performingin the future. The Junction delivers one day a week of the Parkside Federation’s BTec programme, and as part of this, Bryony will be doing a performance workshop, and she is also working with youngsters around the county.

‘For me, working with a group of young people is better than woringk with other artists,’ says Bryony. ‘I love it. It inspires me to carry on making work as well. And to see young people watching my type of work, and to see their minds being opened, is amazing.’

Vibrant scene

It’s not just Bryony – Rich Rusk, director of Night Light Theatre Company, is artistic director of JYC, while NIE, who began in Girton, are now based at the Junction and involved in youth development. ‘The Junction helped us to perform our shows in Edinburgh,’ says NIE’s director Alex Byrne. ‘We had a big success there and that’s what took us forward as a company. So one of the things we do now is help the Junction with finding emerging artists in the region. We also give advice and do some mentoring on the business and development side.’

One of the most important things for Marie, Kate and the artists they work with is to open youngsters eyes to the fact that, to be successful, you don’t have to be on stage in a West End show. ‘Young people see the mainstream very clearly,’ says Alex, ‘it’s pushed at them all the time, so it’s interesting for them to find out that there’s a whole other scene that’s artist and develolpment led, and that, actually the arts in the UK is really vibrant and dynamic.’

For Marie it’s all about opening young people’s eyes to the possibilities. ‘We’re helping them to see that to be in the arts you don’t have to be a star or famous,’ she says. ‘It can be a career.’

To contact the Junction about any schemes, support, funding or joining any youth groups, visit junction.co.uk or call 01223 511511

TOP TIPS FOR AUTUMN

Marie and Kate give their insider tips for what shows to watch out for at The Junction this season

Little Bulb Theatre: Operation Greenfield (4-5 October)

One of our favourite theatre companies of the moment present a wonderful tale about four unlikely teenagers entering an annual talent contest. A visually exciting exploration of music, faith, friendship, Elvis and Forest Fruits squash! The company studied locally at Hills Road and we’re so pleased to welcome them back to the Junction.

Bryony Kimmings: Takeover Week (21-26 October)

We can’t wait for our glamorous, playful Artist in Residence to take over the Junction for an entire week. Expect glitter, costumes, online high jinks and her Edinburgh hits MEGA and 7 Day Drunk.

Stories from an Invisible Town: Hoipolloi (28 October)

Internationally renowned Cambridge favourites visit with a work in progress performance from popular Welsh artist Hugh Hughes. Hear memories and stories from Hugh’s childhood in Llangefni and let him know what you think.

Non Zero One: The Time Out (21-23 November)

After a very successful short performance at our Sampled Festival, Non Zero One return with the full version. Audiences play a water polo team moments before their final match – fun, interactive, audio theatre at its very best! Definitely a company who are destined for big things.

NIE Theatre: Hansel and Gretel (7 December-3 Jan)

Award-winning Junction Associates bring festivity and magic to Cambridge this Christmas with their stamp on a Grimms fairytale classic. A beautiful show for the whole family and beyond featuring live music, clowning and an enchanting winter woodland.