Peace through the Performing Arts is a groundbreaking programme, offered by
Tongues of Fire Youth Theatre at The ASHA Centre, Forest of Dean. Teenagers from
areas affected by conflict stay at the Centre for periods of up to four weeks, where we
work with them to produce a play. It is a powerful therapeutic process, as a result of
which our young actors both grow as individuals and bond as a group.
Past productions include Arabian Nights and Grimm’s Tales with young Jews and
Arabs from Israel; and a devised piece with South African teenagers called Sophiatown.
Artistically - but perhaps more importantly, socially - these productions proved highly
successful. When Arabian Nights returned to be performed in Israel, audience-members
regarded it as the most meaningful contribution to peace in the region for decades. For
the first time, young Arabs and Jews performed together on stage, watched by parents,
who would otherwise not come within miles of each other!
Tongues of Fire Youth Theatre at The ASHA Centre, Forest of Dean. Teenagers from
areas affected by conflict stay at the Centre for periods of up to four weeks, where we
work with them to produce a play. It is a powerful therapeutic process, as a result of
which our young actors both grow as individuals and bond as a group.
Past productions include Arabian Nights and Grimm’s Tales with young Jews and
Arabs from Israel; and a devised piece with South African teenagers called Sophiatown.
Artistically - but perhaps more importantly, socially - these productions proved highly
successful. When Arabian Nights returned to be performed in Israel, audience-members
regarded it as the most meaningful contribution to peace in the region for decades. For
the first time, young Arabs and Jews performed together on stage, watched by parents,
who would otherwise not come within miles of each other!