Plays written for Youth Theatre & young people
Get in touch [email protected]
The Crescent (2019). A site-specific devised production inspired by the history and community of The Crescent Community Club. Henry acted as dramturge and led workshops to generate material, and wrote a number of scenes for the cast. You can read more about the project here.
“Henry has always been highly motivated, I have no hesitancy in recommending him” - Kate Veysey, York Youth Theatre Director.
Flooded (2018). Part of the Missing Mysteries project partly ispired by Noah's Flood for Riding Lights Youth Theatre
Star (2016). Short piece for Royal & Derngate Young Company on the theme of fame.
The Castle (2016). Adaptation of Franz Kafka’s unfinished novel for Hull Truck’s 16+ Youth Theatre performed in their Studio space. Themes of isolation and bureaucracy, but also allowing for clowning and ensemble theatre.
The Hunt (2015). Site-specific piece for Hull Truck Youth Theatre 16+ group set in the stables of Burton Constable Hall directed by Tom Bellerby. Designed for the wide open space and for a family audience.
Who Shot The Sheriff? (2015). Harrogate Theatre’s main stage summer show featuring a range of young people from their Youth Theatre and professional actor Tim Stedman directed by Associate Director Phil Lowe. An adaptation of the Robin Hood tale in which Robin and his Merry Men are teenagers
The Circle of Chalk (2014). Adapted from Caucasian Chalk Circle and the traditional Chinese folk-tale for York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre 16+ group. Featured the themes of displacement and home, drawing from research on Palestine and the group’s own exploration of refugees and family.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014). Shakespeare’s classic adapted for a variety of ages between 7-11 for Harrogate Theatre Youth Theatre & outreach projects.
Hang On Just A Minute (2014) for Harrogate Theatre Youth Theatre (15-18s) as inspired by workshops and collaboration with young people. They requested something farcical and funny, and the result was 4 short plays which all interlinked.
Welcome to Darlington (2013) for Darlington Civic Theatre/Touring Consortium/Pilot Theatre (13-18s) also including dramaturgy on the overall project. Devised with the group to create several short poems to be pre-recorded based on their experiences and perception of the city.
Gargoyles of York (2013) for York Youth Theatre (5-8s). As part of Yorkshire Season, this play used choral rhyme to encourage audiences to appreciate their city.
“Henry is an exciting new voice who understands the needs of Youth Theatres for quality writing coupled with large casts. His work is underpinned with experience both as a Youth Theatre member and now facilitator and he relates to young people well. His writing is fresh, engaging and insightful I would have no hesitation in inviting him to work with our Youth Theatre”
-Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director Derby Theatre
“Henry is an example of all that is good about youth theatre: a bright and articulate young artist who is keen to use his skills to inspire the next generation of youth theatre members.”
-Owen Calvert-Lyons,Head of Artist Development, Ovalhouse
“Henry Raby is emerging as an excellent writer with particular skills in creating bespoke pieces for individual groups. He has an in depth understanding of youth theatre and what kind of work excites and interests young actors, has a good rapport when working with a group and his ability to wield words gives his work its own unique and humorous flavour.”
-Juliet Forster, Associate Director York Theatre Royal
“Henry is a writer of great imagination and accessibility, he has the ability to find poeticism and drama in the seeming normality of everyday”
-Tom Bellerby, former Youth Theatre Director, Hull Truck
“Henry has a genuine commitment to, and passion for, youth theatre. His knowledge and understanding of the sector's development needs via his work with NAYT, coupled with his play writing and performance poet ability and experience make him a unique and valuable artist/facilitator for the youth theatre sector. He approaches his work with the perfect balance of enthusiasm and sensitivity.”
-Jill Adamson, Director of Participation, Northern Stage
Get in touch [email protected]
The Crescent (2019). A site-specific devised production inspired by the history and community of The Crescent Community Club. Henry acted as dramturge and led workshops to generate material, and wrote a number of scenes for the cast. You can read more about the project here.
“Henry has always been highly motivated, I have no hesitancy in recommending him” - Kate Veysey, York Youth Theatre Director.
Flooded (2018). Part of the Missing Mysteries project partly ispired by Noah's Flood for Riding Lights Youth Theatre
Star (2016). Short piece for Royal & Derngate Young Company on the theme of fame.
The Castle (2016). Adaptation of Franz Kafka’s unfinished novel for Hull Truck’s 16+ Youth Theatre performed in their Studio space. Themes of isolation and bureaucracy, but also allowing for clowning and ensemble theatre.
The Hunt (2015). Site-specific piece for Hull Truck Youth Theatre 16+ group set in the stables of Burton Constable Hall directed by Tom Bellerby. Designed for the wide open space and for a family audience.
Who Shot The Sheriff? (2015). Harrogate Theatre’s main stage summer show featuring a range of young people from their Youth Theatre and professional actor Tim Stedman directed by Associate Director Phil Lowe. An adaptation of the Robin Hood tale in which Robin and his Merry Men are teenagers
The Circle of Chalk (2014). Adapted from Caucasian Chalk Circle and the traditional Chinese folk-tale for York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre 16+ group. Featured the themes of displacement and home, drawing from research on Palestine and the group’s own exploration of refugees and family.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014). Shakespeare’s classic adapted for a variety of ages between 7-11 for Harrogate Theatre Youth Theatre & outreach projects.
Hang On Just A Minute (2014) for Harrogate Theatre Youth Theatre (15-18s) as inspired by workshops and collaboration with young people. They requested something farcical and funny, and the result was 4 short plays which all interlinked.
Welcome to Darlington (2013) for Darlington Civic Theatre/Touring Consortium/Pilot Theatre (13-18s) also including dramaturgy on the overall project. Devised with the group to create several short poems to be pre-recorded based on their experiences and perception of the city.
Gargoyles of York (2013) for York Youth Theatre (5-8s). As part of Yorkshire Season, this play used choral rhyme to encourage audiences to appreciate their city.
“Henry is an exciting new voice who understands the needs of Youth Theatres for quality writing coupled with large casts. His work is underpinned with experience both as a Youth Theatre member and now facilitator and he relates to young people well. His writing is fresh, engaging and insightful I would have no hesitation in inviting him to work with our Youth Theatre”
-Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director Derby Theatre
“Henry is an example of all that is good about youth theatre: a bright and articulate young artist who is keen to use his skills to inspire the next generation of youth theatre members.”
-Owen Calvert-Lyons,Head of Artist Development, Ovalhouse
“Henry Raby is emerging as an excellent writer with particular skills in creating bespoke pieces for individual groups. He has an in depth understanding of youth theatre and what kind of work excites and interests young actors, has a good rapport when working with a group and his ability to wield words gives his work its own unique and humorous flavour.”
-Juliet Forster, Associate Director York Theatre Royal
“Henry is a writer of great imagination and accessibility, he has the ability to find poeticism and drama in the seeming normality of everyday”
-Tom Bellerby, former Youth Theatre Director, Hull Truck
“Henry has a genuine commitment to, and passion for, youth theatre. His knowledge and understanding of the sector's development needs via his work with NAYT, coupled with his play writing and performance poet ability and experience make him a unique and valuable artist/facilitator for the youth theatre sector. He approaches his work with the perfect balance of enthusiasm and sensitivity.”
-Jill Adamson, Director of Participation, Northern Stage
