The Eden Ensemble

The Eden Ensemble will be performing extracts from their new devised play called fruit(ful). A bold and honest exploration of womanhood, sexuality and queerness, fruit(ful) tackles old ideas in order to bear new fruit. 

Instagram: @fruitful.corpusplayroom 

Content Warning: mentions of sexual assault and transphobia  

Sideline Theatre

Josh Shea is currently studying Drama with Film at Royal Holloway. He is best known for playing the role of Young Newt in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Devin in The Royals on Netflix. Josh is passionate about telling stories in both the medium of stage and film and is excited to be part of the cast of It Won’t Let You Live. 

Eva Coffey is a Welsh student, currently completing her BA in Drama and Theatre Studies. With a personal connection to the story, she is excited to be part of the project It Won’t Let You Live and is looking forward to being able to perform! She has appeared in a variety of community and youth theatre projects back in Wales, and completed a year’s professional qualification in Acting with The Acting Company, Gower College Swansea. 

Aoife Parr is currently studying for an MA Theatre Directing under the tutelage of Katie Mitchell. Whilst completing her undergraduate degree at Warwick in English Literature and Theatre, Aoife Assistant Directed two productions at the Edinburgh Fringe (2019 & 2022). Alongside directing, Aoife is also a playwright, with her most recent project, It won’t Let You Live, documenting her lived experience of chronic illness.  

Instagram: aoife_parr 

Content warning: language, reference to sexual content  

ADDLED.AD0LESCENT 

Amber Lucia Gibbins (she/they), who goes by the pseudonym ADDLED.AD0LESCENT, is a 22-year-old, mixed-media artist who explores blending digital new age design and technology, with more traditional methods of art. 

In COLOUR CRAZED, they invite you to be introduced into an immersive world full of vibrant colours, featuring interpretative dance by Kai (they/them), Miranda (she/her) and themselves. Through the use of projection, and the human form, witness a look into the mind of Amber’s thoughts and emotions. 

The piece also features music made by MARTIAL AUTIST. 

“I was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, a condition that affects how you think, feel and interact with others. I wanted to express how intense and overwhelming my emotions can get, and to raise awareness about BPD, a diagnosis that is heavily stigmatised and demonised by society.” 

Instagram: @colour.crazed.maniac 

Content Warning: Mental Health, Flashing Imagery

Yeliz

I am a 21-year-old freelance creative focusing on mainly analogue photography. I’ve always been interested in human connection and how those connections can be expressed through us; whether that’s a simple gaze, dance, or even comfortable silence. This series of images is a part of my new project titled ‘Hanim’ – exploring the feminine and maternal connections within the Turkish Cypriot community and highlighting the traditions that mark womanhood for growing Turkish Cypriot girls and women. The series also gives attention the beauty of North Cyprus’ land and history on 35mm.

Instagram – @boxed.up_

Sharifa

Sharifa is an 18-year-old musician, producer, artist and DJ working in between different genres, notably rap, pop, R&B and alternative. With a unique and interesting style, he shows an undeniable potential and a future full-of-promise. Being born in the East Midlands and raised in a close-minded town, Sharifa is now living in London where he continues to grow and collaborate in the creative industry. He takes influences from his daily life and emotional struggles, and portrays it through his work. 

Instagram – @shzrifa 

IzaBella & Mariia

IzaBella and Mariia are Ukrainian professional musicians who were forced to flee their country as a result of Russia’s aggressive attack on their homeland. They met in the UK and became friends in life and music, despite completely different personalities and musical tastes. They created a special performance-program about Ukraine which consists of video and photo content, introducing foreign people with Ukraine’s history and culture and, of course, sharing music – songs that have been written during the war times. Apart from this project they are also working on their solo careers as well, finding opportunities within the acting and dance industries whilst working on other projects both in the UK and internationally.

Instagram – @_realizabella and @mari.yaremak

Creative Youth is entering an exciting time in our 14-year history as we further evolve our year-round offer through a new creative space, FUSEBOX, in our beloved Kingston. The space will operate in addition to FUSE International, and our other programmes of work. 

This extraordinary space houses the footings of the original Kingston Bridge and medieval undercroft and is situated under John Lewis by the riverside. FUSEBOX will provide a new vibrant cultural offer to the town, its young people and (arts) communities, support the regeneration of the area, and drive employment and training opportunities.  

FUSEBOX has been named by Creative Youth’s board of Young Creatives and wider team to capture its dynamic multifunctional purpose – one which will see innovation, diversity, and inclusion at its heart. The space features areas for performance, exhibitions, creative practice, socialising, co-creation and much more.  

Our doors are now open so you can see for yourselves, and chat to our team about all our plans during the first phase of opening.  

From 6 February, we will be offering Open House drop-in visits twice a week on Thursday from 5–7pm and Saturday from 11am –1pm, so just pop along at a time that suits.  

In the meantime, if you are keen to find out more, and about the potential for using FUSEBOX then please:
email Archie or visit our website for more information

We look forward to welcoming you. 

A few words from our Chair, Robin Hutchinson MBE:

“FUSEBOX is an exciting new creative space right beside the Thames in the heart of Kingston Town. It has been a dream for Creative Youth to have a home to support young talent to explore and develop their cultural ideas and practices. FUSEBOX gives us that opportunity in a remarkable new space that will be a playground for the imagination.

Through our valued partnerships with Kingston University, Kingston College, Kingston Council and other groups and organisations we can bring together our communities to explore and realise ideas. FUSEBOX will bring a positive energy to this part of Kingston’s riverside and throughout the town, and we are extremely grateful to the Mayor of London, John Lewis, Kingston Council and many other local partners for their support and help.”

Tanvi Ranjan, Creative Talent Programme 22-23 Artist, said:

“FUSEBOX is one-of-a-kind space in the heart of Kingston for young creatives from all disciplines. As this year’s Creative Talent Artist, I am excited to use FUSEBOX for my creative practice and to connect with other artists. Its heritage backing would elevate the experience of the art that is produced, performed, and exhibited here. It is not only a platform for artistic expression but also for collaboration and co-creation. I am confident that FUSEBOX will bring together many artists and build a community that can grow within various art forms.”

Open House Drop-in Sessions

The Open House drop-in sessions will take place on: 

Thursdays
9 February, 5–7pm
16 February, 5–7pm
23 February, 5–7pm

2 March, 5–7pm
9 March, 5–7pm
30 March, 5–7pm

Saturdays
11 February, 11am–1pm
18 February, 11am–1pm
25 February, 11am–1pm

4 March, 11am–1pm
11 March, 11am–1pm
18 March, 11am–1pm
25 March, 11am–1pm

*Please note there will be no drop-in session on Thursday 23 March due to another event taking place.

Free exhibitions

There will also be two free exhibitions by past and current Creative Talent Programme artists, Chiyana Ankhrah and Tanvi Ranjan. 

Former Creative Talent Programme artist Chiyana Ankhrah’s thought-provoking exhibition returns to Creative Youth following its debut at FUSE International 2023. LABELS: Black Mental Health and Me is a photographic documentary that focuses on anecdotal experiences of 4 Black British men and women who are currently dealing with or have dealt with mental illness. This project uses their stories to explore the impact of situational and intergenerational trauma as well as racial bias within mental health services and how these elements can negatively impact Black people’s mental health.   

Current Creative Talent Programme artist, Tanvi Ranjan, exhibits four pieces from her studio. Ranjan’s work explores subjects of the human-machine relationship while elaborating on the techniques of textile making and the role of women in sculpting the future of digital and information age. By highlighting the intersections between textile and digital information, the artist makes visible the complexity of modern technology and internet that is often obscured by the high-speed electronic transmission of data in the form of bits. 

We’re excited to be underway with the building works and can’t wait to open the doors to our new creative home later in the year for a pilot programme of activity. The Undercroft (as it is currently known) holds the footings of the original Kingston bridge and has previously only been open a couple of times a year. We’re looking forward to welcoming the community and bringing the space to life throughout the year.

Be sure to sign up to our mailing list to ensure you’re one of the first to see all of our updates regarding our new venue and all of our upcoming opportunities to get involved with our year-round programme.