Not every teenager can say they are able to take part in a National Theatre play. But for a talented group of young actors, that is exactly what is happening. And you won’t have to go to London to see them perform as the show will be in Reading.
Berzerk Productions has been helping youngsters discover their talents since 1994, offering sessions for children as young as four, all the way through to 19. No wonder it has teamed up with the National Theatre before.
The National Theatre Connections scheme is an annual event that has been running for 30 years. It teams up with some of the freshest playwrights to create plays that can then be chosen to perform by youth theatre groups across the country. Only a handful are selected to take part and Berzerk is one of them.
The Company of Trees has been written by Jane Bodie and has been created with younger audiences in mind. It has an hour-long running time and will be performed twice this week at the Reading Rep Theatre.
What is The Company of Trees about?
The drama is a heartfelt and funny story about teenagers who form an unlikely bond after a moment of tragedy.
Willow has moved to a new town and hasn’t been given a warm welcome.
The leader of the unwelcoming committee is Taylor, a popular person whose gang rules the roost at the school they both attend.
When a gymnastics class goes horribly wrong, it is an injured Taylor who discovers what loyal friends are really like.
Willow comes armed with quirky stories about trees, poems that don’t rhyme, and a new way of looking at the world. Together, the unlikely pair discover the healing power of nature, the joy of an unexpected friendship, and the courage to face life’s challenges with a little laughter along the way.
At its heart, this is a story about bullying, bravery, loneliness, and belonging and tackles many contemporary issues young people today will face.
Aundre Goddard, the creative director of Berzerk Productions, is thrilled that they are able to stage The Company of Trees as part of the National Theatre Connections programme.
“We’re really, really over the moon,” he says. “The last time we did a National Theatre Connections project was five years ago, in 2020. It means a lot to us to be back in the fold because it’s such a huge project to be in.
“Theatre companies up and down the country are taking part and for us to join them is quite fantastic. For the children involved, to take part in something that is quite prestigious and has a good name, it means a lot to them.”
Audiences, he adds, should not be expecting serious theatre – worthy, of course, of the National Theatre – and not something like a school play, where everyone has to be given a part and you end up with three wise men, a herd of sheep and other assorted animals.
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“We said from the outset that this is going to be like how professional actors work,” Aundre says of the work that has gone into staging the play.
“The themes are quite pertinent to young people, and that can be quite challenging as well as they see themselves reflected in the characters and the challenges they face and go through.
“We have all been there, as young people, going through that coming-of-age narrative at school. With the friendship groups, they are all different and plotted around how each can either include or exclude.
“The story really resonates with me, with them, and hopefully everyone else who is going to be watching the play. We’ve all been through that journey.”
What do the cast of The Company of Trees make of it?
Mia plays Willow and Grace is playing Taylor in the Berzerk Productions National Theatre Connections show The Company of Trees.
The teenagers have had different paths into the show, with Mia being a regular Berzerk member while Grace has joined for this show. They have enjoyed getting to know their cast mates and having the shared experience of producing a play from nothing more than a script on a page.
Of her role as Willow, one of the main characters, Mia says it is an honour, adding: “It’s really exciting, there is a challenge with the role because your character has to be able to tell the story, and you want audiences to connect with it.”
Grace feels the same about bringing Taylor to life: “It’s really fun and also a big responsibility, but I do feel privileged and honoured to have this part.”
She continues: “The play has quite a bit about an unlikely friendship, it’s a beautiful store in terms of how Taylor is bullying Willow at first and then she slowly starts to see that Willow is different and is a true friend.
“That’s really important for teenagers and people our age.”
Grace agrees: “I think people our age can focus on being cool rather than making true connections. Taylor and Willow make a really unlikely connection but it’s a really strong one and a really nice one to show to people.”
A week of intense rehearsals were held over half-term, and Mia says: “It really feels like it’s starting to come together, we can see the magic starting to happen which is really exciting.”
The pair are pleased also to be part of the National Theatre Connections project, with Grace saying it’s really cool, and Mia feeling it will be something she’ll be able to treasure for the rest of her life.
And what do Berzerk Productions make of their cast?
Aundre is proud of the dozen or so cast members who have working on The Company of Trees, saying they have been working hard across the half-term rehearsals where it has all come together.
“We can really see the energy that this play brings, and that is going to be seen in the performance at Reading Rep,” he says. “The audiences will feel that as well and I really encourage them to come along watch and support young people in their journey to become creatives, whether that’s acting or working behind the scenes.
“They have put so much hard work into this performance, so it would be great for people to come along, watch and support.”
How can people get tickets to see the National Theatre Connections play The Company of Trees?
The National Theatre Connections play The Company of Trees will be performed at Reading Rep Theatre on Wednesday, February 26 and Thursday, February 27. Both performances will start at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £16 for a charity ticket, or £10.
They can be booked directly from the Reading Rep Theatre website: https://www.readingrep.com/the-company-of-trees/
How can I find out more about Berzerk Productions and where do sessions take place?
Berzerk Productions welcomes students aged between four and 19, with am aim of boosting pupils’ self-development, self-esteem and confidence alongside their acting and drama skills.
They hold classes in Tilehurst, Woodley, Spencers Wood, Caversham, Woodley, Reading, Pangbourne, Woodcote, with plans in place for a Saturday school.
A free trial lesson is available.
Students can come along and have fun, or they can work towards their LAMDA qualifications.
Berzerk has won the Pride of Reading Awards and the Reading Cultural Awards.
Aundre says: “We have plenty of space at Berzerk … there’s always room for growth.
“We’re all about creating that non-judgmental space. We’re encouraging young people to be themselves – their quirky little selves – and to be authentic.
“We’re quite playful in that sense. Join us. Berzerk, it’s in the name.”
Full details are available at: www.berzerkproductions.com
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