A CITY theatre company is hoping Glasgow’s young people will get involved in a national project aimed at combatting the negative impact of coronavirus on mental health.

As theatres remain closed, Wonder Fools, formed by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduates Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse, has commissioned five news plays to be made available to young people to perform remotely and free over the next seven months.

Featuring some of the UK’s most exciting playwrights, including Stef Smith and Bea Webster, the project invites community groups, schools and youth theatres – particularly those in isolated areas and in marginalised or vulnerable groups – to sign up.

The plays will be theirs to interpret in whichever creative way ‘keeps them safe from the risks that come with the COVID-19 pandemic’.

Positive Stories for Negative Times is a response to the lack of physical spaces for young people to participate in creative activities currently, and the detrimental impact that this is having on their mental health and wellbeing.

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The plays, for ages eight to 25, are online now. Each group will select which of the plays they want to work on and will then take steps towards a filmed performance. Wonder Fools will provide a framework of how to rehearse, direct and record the works, with specific guidance on how to deliver the project in total lockdown, through blended learning or completely live in the space.

Jack said: “The plays are all incredibly different but equally full of interesting stories, exciting forms and searching questions about this extraordinary moment we are living through.

“We hope that the process provides a platform for young people to connect, be creative and share a sense of solidarity with all the other brilliant groups who take part. I can’t wait to see the many variations of the plays and celebrate all the fantastic work of the young people involved.”

All performed plays will be uploaded and hosted on a bespoke platform - positivestories.scot - accessible anywhere in the world.

This platform will allow participants to see other interpretations of the same play, families to support their loved ones from afar, and most importantly, young people’s work to be celebrated despite theatres being closed from now through to 2021.