Beyond words: Burgess Hill and Schmallenberg youth unite on stage

For four days last week, students from Burgess Hill Theatre Club’s Youth group welcomed counterparts from Junges Gemuse Youth Theatre in Schmallenberg, Germany, for a weekend of dramatic collaboration.

 Through a series of games and workshops, the young people explored how to communicate and build relationships, despite not sharing a common language. Over ten hours they devised and rehearsed a show which was performed to the delight of town councillors, friends, family, and members of Burgess Hill’s Twinning Association.

 To complete their adventure together, the German and British students enjoyed a drama workshop at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

 Schmallenberg is one of two European towns twinned with Burgess Hill.

This was the first time they have united through their youth theatres.