Preview: Rights to Move, Old Magistrates’ Court

From July 11-14, Creative Youth Network, Rise Youth Dance and Tribe Dance Theatre are taking over the Old Magistrates Court for an immersive dance and music performance featuring young people aged 16 to 25.

Rights To Move is a promenade performance based on the heritage of our civil and human rights, based in one of Bristol’s oldest buildings that represent law and order. The audience will follow the path and stories of people who have been trailed, tested and sentenced for what they believe in, and will be asked whether they’ve received justice.

Drawing on conversations with local historian Edson Burton and partnerships with Bristol Museums, Rights To Move “encourages the public to exercise their rights to learn, speak and vote”.

After more than 100 young people questioned their MP candidates in Creative Youth Network’s youth hustings, the desire to talk about movements, protest and challenge the establishment is taking over.

Jenny, an 18-year-old dancer, explains the show’s impetus thus: “We are tired and frustrated. Our generation is the first one to be worse off than the previous one. I voted for the first time in this election and that made me feel great, like I actually can change things. That’s why now I want to share this with other people, through dance and stories.

“Let’s talk about the growing inequality we can see, about how we still have a gender pay gap in this country, about racist attacks happening on our streets. And let’s celebrate the movements of the past we can learn from.”

Young people not yet eligible to vote have also joined the production. George, 16, feels it’s unfair that decisions are being made for his future, without his being given a say.

“It’s ridiculous that I can join the army right now, but I don’t have a vote. That’s why I got involved in Rights to Move. I want to show our audience how young people feel.”

Director Nick Young explains: “The idea for the show came from young people in our youth clubs. We started having conversations when the general election was announced and they wanted to focus their energy on something creative and productive, express themselves and talk about the causes they care about.

“Then we linked with Journey to Justice, a national exhibition coming to Bristol in October, which tells the stories of lesser well-known people in the civil rights movement. We started researching with the help of Edson Burton and Bristol Museums who played a major role in Bristol human rights history and how we can tell their stories through dance.

“It’s proven to be a great process to inspire young people to take social action and learn from human rights movements and the arts.”

Rights to Move will be performed at the Old Magistrates’ Court, Bridewell Street from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 14. For more info and to book tickets (£1 upward), visit www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/rightstomove

Read more: Review: A Spark and a Beating Heart, Trinity