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Nana Antwi-Nyanin - Much Ado About Nothing Remixed Interview

Following the success of previous productions such as M.S.N.D. in 2022, and Taming Who in 2023, Intermission Youth are back with another remixed and reclaimed Shakespeare classic. Running for 4 weeks at the newly relaunched Collective Theatre in Finsbury Park, Much Ado About Nothing Remixed will feature two alternating casts from Intermission Youth’s Theatre Company.


Written by Intermission’s Artistic Director Darren Raymond and directed by Youth Programme Manager Nana Antwi-Nyanin, Much Ado About Nothing Remixed promises a classic Shakespeare story with some added Intermission sauce.

For over 15 years, IYT have been creating space for young people in London - a place where they are often stereotyped and dismissed. By giving them this safe space and investing in their present and future, Intermission foster a community where young people are valued, celebrated and empowered to take the lead in carving out their own path. Many graduates have successfully pursued further education, meaningful employment and full careers in the industry. Given the growing lack of arts initiatives and/or funding from the government, the opportunities offered by Intermission have never been more important. The young people they work with are given the chance to overcome the obstacles and cycles that often come with their circumstance.

Shakespeare’s work is at the heart of the success of Intermissions’ success, offering a vehicle to explore many of the challenges faced by young people, and allowing them to see themselves and their issues from different perspectives. Their upcoming show, Much Ado About Nothing, explores the immense pressure that comes with the rise of social media to be perceived in a certain way that may not reflect their true selves. The play highlights the ignorance that is so prevalent in wider society, which only becomes more evident as so many strive for inclusivity.

We sat down with director Nana Antwi-Nyanin to learn more.

What can you tell me about this production of Much Ado About Nothing?
Much Ado About Nothing Remixed is a reflection of what young people are going through in today’s world. We land in a backdrop of a social media worthy location where everyone comes to leave their troubles behind. The sunshine Island of Messina, Beatrice, Hero and the girls have flown over each with their own agendas and each one trying to entice the other into their Don P and the Aragon Boys have come over for business and pleasure and DJ the sibling of Don P motives are pure and simple negative. Claudio meets Hero its love at first sight insecurities rash decisions and unlikely saviours. When all is said and done wherever you go no matter how far you travel our problems are never far behind and it’s all recorded for the world to see, unfortunately .


What can you tell me about your role on/in the production?
I am Intermissions Programme manager. My role is to train our graduate facilitators in taking 45 young people through the 10 month programme. I am usually first point of contact for most of the young people and our experienced team take them through a journey of professional acting training, mentoring support and provide emotional support.

This year I have also taken on the role as director and this excites me. We have established strong bonds and the switch has not been difficult. I am sure you will see when you come to see the show how the work creates a safe environment for young people to be creative and have a freedom of expression
 
Where did the idea for the remixing of this piece come from?
Each year we work with 40 young people on our Youth Theatre programme, part of the work is to devise a play based on a Shakespeare text. The idea to remix Shakespeare came from our Artistic Director and writer, Darren Raymond, who in 2008, in a drama workshop struggled to engage a small group of young people with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. They were finding it difficult to connect with the language, so Darren removed the text and encouraged them to improvise around the themes. He combined their ideas and words with Shakespeare’s and the Remix was born. We have been remixing his plays ever since! 
 
What challenges have you faced in remixing the piece?
The challenges have been having so much content. This play could have taken place in so many different places all of which came from the ideas of the young cast. We had barber shop. School/college but decided on Messina the sunshine holiday location. 

Another challenge was the casting. So much talent it was difficult to choose who would play what. At the end of our summer school everyone auditions for their role and it was an amazing experience to see some of the more quiet and reserved individuals come out of their shell and amaze us in their audition.


How do you mentally prepare for a run of a production?
This is a good question. I have trained under Darren Raymond who is very nonchalant and takes everything in his stride. I follow that lead. I stay calm and just joke and have fun. My jokes are absolutely amazing. As leaders of the organisation we tend to be the focal point so when anyone feels panicked they will look to us and see we are in a good space and there is nothing to worry about. We reflect after every session and check in. if there us uncertainty in the day we power through then go back after and map out what we did to overcome and bank it, this is our currency for future moments of uncertainty we can make a withdrawal so to speak
 
What has been the approach for getting into the headspace of these roles?
Play, we encourage play. If you did it one way do it another. Not working sing it. Not working do it in another language, this is a time of exploration, everyone has to find their own way and not be dictated to 

If you could ask Shakespeare one question about the play, what would you ask him?
I would ask Shakespeare if he had any questions for us? This play has so many problematic issues we have challenged and questioned. I would like Shakespeare to tell us what he thought of our interpretation

How important has the work you’ve done with Intermission Youth been for you and your own career?
It has shaped me as a human being. It has made me a better parent, friend and colleague. I have learnt to turn judgement into curiosity and find a solution to the most challenging situations. Intermission Youth has saved my life in more ways than one. 
 
What keeps you inspired?
The young people. Seeing. Their journeys and being able to remind them where they are from when we first met them, Watching them grow and be confident adults. I have visited some in school from the age of 14 they have joined the programme at 16 and now are either working actors, employed or running their own business, it is nothing short of amazing.


What do you hope an audience member feels whilst watching the production?
Joy, there is nothing like learning and being happy when receiving the message. I would like the audience leaving with a full heart and a feeling that they can and have made a difference 
 
Where can audience see Much Ado About Nothing Remixed?
The Collective Theatre
2 Tillman Place
N7 7EE

Follow us on insta @weareintermission and X @Inter_Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing Remixed runs Wednesday 13th November until Saturday 7th December 2024. Tickets are available from https://www.intermissionyouththeatre.co.uk/

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