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Youth Ensemble of the Lichfield Garrick’s upcoming production, The Pocket Dream, surprise Lichfield shoppers with a showstopping performance
Lichfield Garrick Theatre is currently working hard to prepare their upcoming production The Pocket Dream which opens on Thursday 24th April 2025. The play, which the theatre describes as ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream gone wrong’, wraps Shakespeare’s classic comedy within a second chaotic comedy where everything that could possibly go wrong, does! The cast have all disappeared to the pub, so it’s up to the staff who are left behind to pull off the show. The Pocket Dream will leave you in stitches, as you watch the cast of just six, navigate playing twenty-one roles.
The Pocket Dream features a youth ensemble who have been cast especially for the show. The cast of thirteen young people aged 14 to 18, were auditioned earlier this year, and are an incredibly talented team of individuals. The Lichfield Garrick prides itself in providing a platform to young people and up and coming talent, so they can grow and develop as performers and pursue any creative ventures they dream of in the future. The Pocket Dreamwill give the youth cast members their first starring credit in a professional production, a remarkable achievement for any aspiring performer.
The youth ensemble is made up of young people from both Lichfield as well as some of the theatre’s Young Garrick Burntwood (youth theatre for 11-18 year olds in Burntwood) participants, directed and led by the Garrick’s Community Producer, Sophie Allen. The Garrick and Burntwood Town Council launched their partnership in 2024, and are proud to continue working closely, to provide more creative opportunities like this, to the residents of Burntwood.
Councillor Di Evans, Chair of Community and Partnerships Committee (Burntwood Town Council) says:
“Burntwood Town Council is overjoyed and very proud that students from Burntwood Youth Theatre are participating in a production of The Pocket Dream at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. This is a wonderful opportunity that the Garrick have provided for young people to display their talents, as well as gaining invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals. We are delighted that Burntwood Town Council’s partnership project with the Garrick has enabled students to be involved in this production which will undoubtably inspire and nurture their creative talents.”
On Tuesday 15th April 2025, The Pocket Dream some of the youth ensemble surprised shoppers in Lichfield Market Square with an impromptu dance performance set to There’s No Business Like Show Business. The youth ensemble appeared incognito in black clothing, then suddenly introduced by Sophie Allen, they burst into colour with sparkly hats, bright outfits and infectious energy. With members of The Pocket Dream cast including Sam Rabone, Ben Thornton, Tricia Adele-Turner and Joe Feeney in attendance, the performance was a wonderful celebration of the talents of this brilliant youth cast with the people of Lichfield. Following the performance, the Garrick then gave away four free tickets each to 10 lucky winners, attached to the back of flyers which were handed out to passersby.
The performance was a huge success, and the Garrick looks forward to welcoming audiences to see The Pocket Dream between Thursday 24th April and Saturday 3rd May. There is a BSL-interpreted performance on Saturday 26th April at 2.30pm, and the show is suitable for ages 10+. Tickets are available on the theatre’s website or can be purchased in person at their onsite Box Office.