We sat down with Nana Antwi-Nyanin to discuss Intermission Youth Theatre’s upcoming show Much Ado About Nothing. Nana grew up in Hackney. He got into acting when he was eleven, performing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Bugsy Malone, Porgy and Bess at Glyndebourne and King Priam with Kent Opera.
Nana joined Intermission Youth initially as a volunteer with the Youth Theatre where he quickly developed his facilitation and coaching skills. He now leads and delivers work for the organisation running the 10-month theatre programme as well as collaborating with Rada, The Globe and The RSC. Nana also delivers workshops in schools, pupil referral units and prisons. He was appointed Youth Engagement & Facilitation Manager in 2020.
- You’ve remixed a Shakespeare classic, Much Ado About Nothing. What inspired you to give it the “Intermission sauce,” and how does this version differ from the traditional telling of the play?
The young people were the inspiration. Each year we bring themes, topics and see what how he groups take to it. We initially went with Hamlet but through conversations and we felt the energy and the conversations we were having from the Hamlet work and made a swift change to Much Ado.
- Shakespeare’s work is central to Intermission’s mission. What do you think it is about his stories that resonates with the young people at IYT? Why Shakespeare?
Personally it doesn’t resonate initially, it is an uphill struggle to introduce Shakespeare because most if not all of our young people have a negative experience with the text so they do not get to unearth the story. What we do at Intermission is a secret… I’m joking, we tackle the themes, we unlock the text with our experienced team and do not take our young people to Shakespeare we bring Shakespeare to meet our young people and meet on equal ground. Then we discover together the similarities in these complex characters. Then it becomes digestible
- Can you talk about the process of working with two alternating casts for this production? How does that contribute to the overall message of the play?
You will see 2 different versions of the same play. One Dogberry is different to the other, Beatrice and Benedicks have a different approach to their rivalry, and that rings true to all iof the characters. If you are able to, cone and see the freedom of expression with 2 casts that compliment the story in their own unique way
- You’ve mentioned the rise of social media and its pressures as a theme. How do you feel that dynamic influences your approach as a director, particularly when speaking to today’s youth?
Simply we do not demonise the phone. It is very prominent to todays youth and a little scrolling is not such a bad thing in my eyes. We empower our young people to control their social media and not be controlled. So come to a session and have your phone we respect it but be alert to the power it possesses and like anything in life keep it moderate.
- Intermission has been fostering talent and creating a safe space for young people for over 15 years. What role does this play in your direction of Much Ado About Nothing Remixed, and how do you incorporate that mission into the rehearsal room?
We laugh, we argue, we disagree and that’s just the leadership team lol, again I joke. We are a family and we trust each other. There is nothing more important than the individual. If today is not a good day, the young person is the most important thing. Not the production. Once this is established and the trust has been built everything else falls in place. Do not underestimate the power of true love.
- In your experience as Youth Programme Manager, what are the challenges young people face in today’s arts scene, and how do productions like this one help combat them?
Perception. Youth, it is almost like a dirty word. People already have low expectations when it comes to youth productions, so we are always facing an uphill struggle. We have young people who want to try an alternative route in training. There are still establishments that will not give young people a chance because they have not trained in an Institution. This creates a stigma in my opinion. Our world is different, and our privilege sometimes does not allow us the time to commit to 3 years in a drama school and come out the other end in debt just to start a career. Here you get to showcase your talent, express your passion and be empowered and if you want to continue the journey or like many have done found an alternative vocation, you have not hindered yourself.
- Finally, what do you hope audiences take away from this production, especially in the context of contemporary issues like social media pressure and societal ignorance?
Hope? I am confident you will leave this production inspired. You will be invigorated and be full of hope. Your thoughts will be challenged. You will be provoked and no matter what age you are you will take away and learn something. You will realise we are so tied up in life that our bubbles can leave us unconscious to the pressures our young people face on a daily basis. You will have your eyes open and a realisation that the world is in safe hands if we trust and encourage our youth. Because that is how I have felt directing these talented amazing young individuals.
Get tickets here: https://intermissionyouththeatre.co.uk/much-ado-about-nothing-remixed