Rehearsals of the Sycamore Gap are well underway at the Torch Theatre by members of the Youth Theatre. Val Ruloff, one of Torch Theatre’s Community Reviewers went along to see it and it promises thrills and spills along the way!

Hitting the ground- running! Not the great tree being felled, either! This is the cast getting into their collective stride from the get-go.

Seeds sown, seeds germinating- with signs of some great performances blooming, flowering and fresh green foliage of new saplings already.

This play has a very intriguing- and unusual- subject matter, thought provoking themes, story lines and characterisations. There's the promise of thrills and spills along the way, too.

Veteran performers of previous productions including "Wind in the Willows" and "Bangers and Chips" look set to pull some extra special, versatile performances out of the bag for this latest Youth production of Sycamore Gap. Dan, Zane, Lacey, Caitlin, Hugo, Seren, Darcy, Ria, Jacob, also Dylan (for starters) are already pulling out all the stops- to produce a show-stopper next week.

Direction by Tim Howe, Senior Manager- Youth and Community, with co-directing assistance from Mel, is fabulously dynamic. Direction very much at pace and with careful attention to script details and dialogue, as well as every nuance being examined and every creative possibility explored! Ideas were bounced back and forth and flying between performers and directors thick and fast!

Al Smith's Sycamore Gap is part of the National Theatre's NT Connections Programme. The Torch theatre youth production of the play will also be due to perform at Aberystwyth Arts Centre in May. Seventeen youth members are included in the cast. 

The play is a drama, featuring controversial, challenging and provocative subject content as layers are peeled back, characters uncovered and exposed. The humour contained is already very evident and conveyed most skilfully by the individual cast members. They demonstrate a remarkable and intuitive capacity for accessing aspects of themselves and their own personalities to demonstrate subtle character traits, as they get to grips with each individual part portrayed. This is especially on display during some humorous scenes, with some delightfully observed gestures to enhance character communication- watch out for some wine bottles liberally scattered and strategically placed in order for "good, stiff drink" to be swigged down by one particular character!

There are some particularly expressive touches featured, too. The props department have definitely come up with the goods- as the furniture chosen for seating members of the public- otherwise known as the "court of public opinion"- bears witness (literally). The (Victorian) family portrait (re)grouping is very effective.

"Mind the Gap"! Fill the gap- don't leave it bare and empty, but full of activity, vibrant new life and growth.  Suffice to say- can't wait to see the play all put together as a whole. Highly recommend... 

 Going to see Sycamore Gap this week.

Sycamore Gap can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage from Wednesday 25 February to Friday 27 February 2026. Ticket price: £10 | £8 Cons. Robin Hood will play from 20 – 22 July 2026 with tickets going on sale in the Spring. For further information visit the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.