To the Moon and Back – Hull New Theatre

Writer: Daniel Swift

Writer and Director: Belle Streeton

Music and Lyrics: Tess Fletcher and Guy Hughes

Concrete Youth is a charitable organisation that exists to increase the social and moral needs of disabled people and their carers. So far the company have reached over 4,500 young people and adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). This isn’t just a tick box exercise, this is work of real merit. As an experienced and knowledgeable theatre company with a really big heart, the key ethos to their work is testimony to the multi-faceted and audience-centred shows they produce.

As pioneers of inclusive theatrical experiences, Concrete Youth are back with their latest offering To the Moon and Back. Specially devised for young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, this progressive and revolutionary charitable theatre company are once again making waves by pushing boundaries, breaking barriers of prejudice and tearing up the theatrical rule book, proving that literally anything is possible in the theatre.

Multi-layered and accessible, this latest instalment is a theatrical event which is trail blazingly powerful. With accessibility at its heart, this brand new show is a success and adds yet another feather to the cap of its producers. Perfectly pitched and highly entertaining, this event takes you onstage at the Hull New Theatre inside an impressive planetarium featuring lights and projections. Here we join Alex, Lena and Gareth (played brilliantly by Amelia Gabriel, Laura Kaye Thomson and Matt Heslop) on an epic space adventure. Immediately endearing and brimming with energy, the 3 deft actor-musos are an utter joy from the start. Using colourful expression, basic sign language and makaton, they share their story of hope and humility placing the patrons at the centre of their story.

One can only champion and commend this piece of crucial theatre and congratulations must go to Concrete Youth on yet another successful project. It would be remiss of this critic not to mention the show’s sponsors in this review. The project is proudly supported by The Arts Council England, Hull City Council, Interplay Theatre and Middle Child.

The work is inspiring, captivating and totally necessary and they really have thought of everything. This critic would give it 6 stars if it was possible. Well done.

Runs until 5th April, before continuing on tour.