No Ball Games was devised in 2009 by The New Wolsey Theatre's Creative Learning team, from the real life stories and experiences of 100's of young people in Suffolk. It is a funny, fast paced and up to date piece of young people’s theatre that never says what you should or shouldn’t do, but does ask everyone to think twice about the positive or negative impact they can have on their community.
There are thousands of signs all over the UK declaring NO BALL GAMES, but kicking a ball isn’t illegal. In fact what’s wrong with kicking a ball? Of course it’s not playing ball games thats the problem, it’s the way that they are played – too close to someone’s car, everyone playing the game is being too loud when someone is trying to get their baby to sleep, or maybe the woman in the house opposite is scared of a group of teenagers that she doesn’t know.
No Ball Games – the play, is about being 15, about being too old to play with toys and too young to go to the pub, having no money and all the time in the world. That point in all our lives when we use our imaginations to fill our time, which means for some young people that they hang around in parks, throw things at things, laugh, drink, joke, fight and upset the neighbours. This play isn't about kicking or not kicking a ball, what it is about is the relationship between a community and its young people and what happens when we tell young people what to do and forget that sometimes it’s much better if we just ask.
“This is a rather typical, but also quite telling, example of how young people are often prohibited from releasing their limitless energy, anxiety and frustration in spaces where they feel valued and safe,” explains Rob Salmon, New Wolsey Associate Director. “Following an initial period of investigation working with young people in Babergh, the cast and I devised a play based on their options and experiences which explores ways in which this energy can be directed away from violence, negative risk taking, alcohol misuse, self harm, vandalism and criminal activity into positive activities that contribute to our society.”
Now in 2010 the Creative Learning team, in partnership with Babergh Community Safety Partnership, are taking the re-developed production to 10 Schools in the area.
It is hoped that this production will bridge the gap between young and old. It is sometimes difficult for different generations to understand each other and the intention of this play is to get the ball rolling towards a more cohesive community by giving young people a voice.