New Production Listens to Lincoln’s Young People and Puts Them On Stage With TV and West End Stars

Camp Phoenix is a new production developed through conversations with students from Lincoln College, some of whom will make up the cast at each performance at Lincoln Arts Centre Thursday 8th – Friday 9th February.

David Carpenter, best known for playing series regular Conor Townsend in ITV’s The Bay, will star as seventeen-year-old Zia whilst Duane Gooden, whose recent credits include George in Kinky Boots at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Mayor in the – Olivier nominated – world premiere of The Book Thief at The Bolton Octagon Theatre and The Genie in Mickey & The Magician at Disneyland Paris, will appear as Les, Caretaker of the Camp and confidante to its attendees.

The cast is joined by Voice of the Tannoy, Gillian Lees along with a troop of local youth cast members whose words of advice they wish they had received before they started secondary school, became the crux of this brand-new show.

Toby Ealden, Director at Zest Theatre said: “This new production feels like an exciting reset for the company. Camp Phoenix is our first national theatre tour since the pandemic and our first as a brand-new Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.”

The University of Lincoln, UK, is one of 12 universities to be included in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of Organisations. This recognition means that the University has the capacity to house associate artistic companies including Zest Theatre, granting them a variety of support to create new innovative works.

Toby Ealden continued: “At a time when young people continue to face a mental health crisis and remain unheard in broader society, productions like Camp Phoenix are vital. A moment to make space for each other, share their wisdom and have fun through creativity at venues right in the heart of the places they call home.

“We’re excited to have given Katie Greenall and Koko Brown their first professional commissions as Writer and Songwriter, respectively. Working with young people across the country, they have crafted an energetic script and set of new songs that beautifully capture the hopes and fears of the young people we met in communities across the country.”

Camp Phoenix follows the journey of 17-year-old Zia. When they arrive at Camp Phoenix for a compulsory weeklong residential, they are not sure if it’s for them. The camp helps young people emerge from the dust of their younger selves, just like a phoenix. Through regulated activities, young people develop the skills to rise into the next phase of their lives to become great citizens and employees.

However, when Zia and their newfound friends realise that the camp’s values don’t include everyone, they discover that the most valuable lessons are those learnt from the people around them.

Commissioned by Lincoln Arts Centre, Barnsley Civic and Arc, Stockton, Zest Theatre, Camp Phoenix marks the return to making and touring theatre by Zest Theatre, made possible by the Arts Council England funding granted to the University to deliver projects and activities through the Lincoln Arts Centre and Barbican Creative Hub.

Camp Phoenix will run at Lincoln Arts Centre Thursday 8th – Friday 9th February. https://lincolnartscentre.co.uk

To find out more about the show and about Zest Theatre, please visit www.zesttheatre.com.