23 April 2015 14:52

Lancaster students have contributed to a production at The Dukes theatre which will discuss some of the major political issues ahead of the General Election.

'Your Country Called…And It Wants You Back' investigates issues including immigration, first time voting, trafficking and racism through the eyes of The Dukes Young Company and Young Actors.

Multiple stories, many based on the real-life experiences of international students at Lancaster University, will be mixed DJ-style, with live music performed in The Dukes Rake theatre from April 23-25.

“This production is very topical,” said director Louie Ingham. “It reflects modern events that relate to young people and their place in the world.”

'Your Country Called…' is delivered by the MAKE programme, which is part of a three-year cultural partnership between Lancaster University and The Dukes, which aims to develop arts, education and learning in Lancaster and to enrich the city’s cultural life.

The production was largely inspired by stories from some of the international students at Lancaster.

These include how a young Chinese woman feels about her parents’ expectations of her as they grow older; an Algerian student’s first experience of a night out in Lancaster; and a Taiwanese student’s delight at seeing snow for the first time.

Some of the 35-strong cast aged 15 to 21 will be voting for the first time just days after the play is staged and the concerns, excitement and confusion surrounding that milestone will be explored too.

'Your Country Called…' brings together the award-winning writing team of Laurence Wilson and Eddie Robson who wrote 'Your Country Needs You! (But I don’t need my country…)' performed last year by young people at The Dukes.

It also features music and sound design by Dukes associate artist, Mark Melville whose work on last year’s show will feature in a prestigious design exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum this summer.

“'Your Country Called…' is performed by young people but it’s created by a team of people in their thirties and forties for an audience of voting age and those who will have a vote in the future,” said Louie.

The production is recommended for anyone aged 12 plus and there will be a post show talkback with the cast and creative team on April 23.

Click here to book tickets.