The Young Pretenders Theatre Company create a new dedicated youth arts festival at Poltimore House

Exeter’s up-and-coming youth theatre company The Young Pretenders (TYP) has created a brand new youth arts festival for young creatives from all across Devon.

This new event, TYPify, is the first of its kind. It involves over 100 young people working across all artistic disciplines, and is being held over three nights inside the historic walls of Poltimore House, from the 7th – 9th July.

TYPify offers a public platform to 7 youth theatre companies, 5 young artists, 5 young poets, and 6 young musicians and groups. These young artists hail from all over Devon and the South West, and TYP are welcoming participants from MED Theatre, Exeter College, the Plymouth Barbican, Doorstep Arts and the South West Camerata, as well as many more. TYP’s own original show ‘The Pseudo Project’ will be headlining the festival; after a sold-out run at Plymouth’s Radiant Gallery in May, The Peg Review described ‘The Pseudo Project’ as ‘deliciously unnerving’ and ‘beautifully cynical’.

TYP’s Artistic Director Lucy Hirst says, “TYP’s main aim is to give young voices big platforms, and that is exactly what we are doing with TYPify. Utilising Poltimore House, one of Devon’s most beautiful and under-rated heritage sites, we are giving the artists of tomorrow a chance to work on a professional platform, by encouraging them to consider their marketing and trading skills as well as their creative talent. Exeter needs more opportunities for young people, and we are committed to making TYPify a mainstay of the city’s summer calendar.”

In the course of just one evening, your TYPify ticket gets you an art exhibition, two poetry readings, three music sets, three theatrical performances, and some delicious summer snacks. Come and join TYP for a cultural bonanza of a weekend, led by Devon's emerging young artists.

About TYP

Established in January 2015, The Young Pretenders Theatre Company (TYP) is a homegrown enterprise that has developed into an award-winning company. Built in collaboration with their young actors, TYP strives to inspire young people aged 11-18 to pursue a creative future through the teaching and creation of innovative theatre.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that there is a permanent role for this company within the youth sector. With recent mental health statistics indicating sharp rises in teenage anxiety, depression, and self-harm, TYP provides an alternative and open space, allowing its young company members to safely express themselves whilst feeling validated for their efforts.

Combined with this, TYP’s mission is to challenge the misconceptions surrounding the capabilities of young artists, as well as the assumption that youth theatre isn’t a professional form in its own right.

“TYP has increased my confidence from almost breaking down when having to do a presentation at school to performing an actual play in front of a real audience!” - Izzy, 14, TYP participant"TYP instills such a healthy mutual trust into the group that the children never feel afraid or overwhelmed. The focus and concentration of every single member of the group is a wonder to behold - and would be a credit to any theatre group regardless of age or ability” - TYP Parent, 2015

Festival details:
TYPify, Poltimore House, Exeter, EX4 0AU. 7th/8th/9th July, 6pm onwards.
£12 adult, £10 concessions.
For tickets please go to: www.ticketbuddy.co.uk/events/TYPify
Website: www.theyoungpretenders.co.uk
Promotional trailer: https://vimeo.com/ 216649235