INNOVATIVE THEATRE SHOW EXPLORING THE ‘MESSY MECHANICS’ OF TEENAGE BRAINS COMES TO THE NORTH EAST

Photo from Ensemble Young Company rehearsal. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions

​​

• Brainstorm is a fast-paced exploration of the ups and downs of being a teenager, featuring a cast of young people drawing on their own lived experience
• Developed in collaboration with neuroscientists, Brainstorm includes brand new devised content from award-winning theatre drama company Mortal Fools
• The show will come to three venues across the North East for a special regional tour

 
A brand new imagining of a ground breaking play which takes a fun and insightful look at the highs and lows of teenage life is set to come to the North East.
 
Award-winning, theatre drama and creative learning company Mortal Fools are bringing their own production of Brainstorm, a dynamic deep dive into the imperfectly perfect teenage brain, to three venues in Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland.
 
Performed by arrangement with Nick Hern Books, Brainstorm is told by 10 talented young performers who themselves are going through the teen experience right now. The play uses a script developed by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim, and Company Three, in collaboration with neuroscientists who have carried out extensive research into the workings of the teenage brain.

Photo from Ensemble Young Companies Inevitable? performance. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions

This production, which includes brand-new devised content from Mortal Fools’ Ensemble Young Company cast and creative team, will come to Newbiggin Sports & Community Hub on Sunday 20th March, Gosforth Civic Theatre on Sunday 13th and Monday 14th April, and Arts Centre Washington on Wednesday 16th April.
 
Touring the region at a critical time for young people’s mental health, both locally and across the UK, Brainstorm is a must-see for teenagers, young people, and the adults who support and work with them.
 
The play aims to challenge outdated stereotypes about the teenage experience, while examining the realities of being a teenager in 2025 - alongside having some fun and excitement along the way.

Photo from Brainstorm rehearsals. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions

Photo of Scott Wilson at the Sounding Board Live youth theatre show. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions

Mortal Fools Lead Practitioner & Brainstorm Director Scott Wilson said:

​“It has been such a pleasure to work with our Ensemble Young Company to produce our version of Brainstorm. 

​“In the midst of this mental health crisis, there is a growing need to support tweens and teens to understand what is going on in their ever-changing brains; this is a theatre show that does exactly that. The show explores the fun and challenging things that teenagers encounter.
 
“As the Director, I'm incredibly proud that Brainstorm offers audiences a window into the complex world of being a teenager in 2025 and together, we will find answers in the chaos!"

Photo of Zoe Lamming at a Mortal Fools Company Development Day. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions

Mortal Fools Lead Practitioner Zoe Lamming added:

“Our Ensemble Young Company have worked so hard this year. There’s something really special when you hit on something in a devising process that everyone is really passionate about - and we’ve definitely hit that with Brainstorm!
 
“We’ve been delving into some of the conflicts young people face with adults, the anxieties they struggle with, and the ways our cast’s brains are different to each other’s through the lens of lived experience of neurodiversity, mental health and growing up in the North East.”

“The Brainstorm audience can expect a show that is fun, chaos, imagination, more chaos. Folks should come see it because it’s absolutely bloody amazing. We’ve worked so hard on it!”

 – Ensemble Young Company Member

“Brainstorm is thought-provoking; it will make audiences realise there is more to being a teenager than the stereotypes!” 

 – Ensemble Young Company Member

“The show is funny, intimate and informative. The audience will learn more about the teenage experience whilst laughing along with us!”

 – Ensemble Young Company Member

To find out more and book tickets for Brainstorm - click here