Unmasked youth return by popular demand

First performed in March the production by Unmasked Youth Wellbeing Public Performance was so successful, the team have decided to return with an even more revitalised show.

The same young people from Seven Derrys Youth Club, Aghagallon and their peers from Maghery, Derrymore, Derrymacash and Lurgan are in the process of putting their performance together at present.

The Unmasked 2 Performance will be at St Anthony’s Centre, Craigavon on Tuesday, June 12, 7.30pm–9.30pm. The performance is targeted at young people age 11–25 attending youth club/groups throughout the SELB Youth Service Sector.

Around 400 young people from the Craigavon, Cookstown, Banbridge, Dungannon, Newry, Armagh and districts are expected to attend the performance.

Unmasked (Revealed) is an innovative way to enable young people through the medium of performing arts to address youth wellbeing issues.

The performance themes will cover stress, depression, bullying, drugs, sexual health, alcohol and an additional theme around anorexia (eating disorder). This new theme was written by a cast member.

The Unmasked Performance will be underpinned by an Audience Interactive Question/Answer Panel with representatives from a range of wellbeing agencies.

“The performance is not lavish, but its content is powerful in that it exposes the harsh reality of youth suffering different wellbeing situations in isolation,” said Support Youth Worker Larry Hamilton.

The Unmasked short play encourages anyone in mental, physical or emotional pain to not suffer all alone. Their seemingly hopelessness situations can always be overcome with the appropriate help and support to move forward in a positive manner, according to the organisers.

The play is written and directed by Pamela Cassells, Active Communities in collaboration with young people of the cast and production team.

The Unmasked 2 Production is an inter-community partnership approach involving rural youth clubs, wellbeing agencies, Moyraverty Arts & Drama Society, Active Communities, PSNI Lurgan North/East Neighbourhood Team and the SELB Youth Service.

Representatives from all partnership agencies provide the necessary support and resources to ensure the young people involved in all aspects of the production receive the necessary support to make the project become a reality once again.

Tickets for Unmasked 2: Youth Wellbeing Performance are available from the Seven Derrys Youth Club, Aghagallon & Brownlow Resource Centre, Craigavon Box Office on: 3834 3259 or 07857 515 102. Admission is £2. proceeds from the Unmasked 2 will be donated to Maghery Youth Club/SELB Craigavon Rural Loughshore: Diversity Summer Enhancement Programme which will take place Monday–Friday, August 13-24.