Thousands of students will see the world premiere of a play about toxic masculinity and social media thanks to an important collaboration between Northampton College and Royal & Derngate theatre.
Written by Northamptonshire playwright Samson Hawkins, ‘Top Gs Like Me’ shows how a young man is influenced by a dangerous online influencer called Hugo Bang over the course of a summer.
Northampton College has committed to taking more than 2,000 students to the show when it launches next year and has also joined forces with Royal & Derngate to facilitate important conversations among young people about online safety and masculinity.
Northampton College Principal Jason Lancaster said: "Nationally, there is an increasing focus on how we can raise awareness about the dangers young people face online and how we can protect them from such threats.
“This ground-breaking new play looks at the sometimes dangerous, coercive, relationships that young people can have with digital algorithms and influential figures online and is rooted in the heart of Northampton.
“We’re proud to support the team at Royal & Derngate with their ambition for thousands of young people to see it and to help it spark conversations with young people about online safety and masculinity.”
Northampton College students from every curriculum area will be invited to attend a matinee performance of the show so they can see it during college time.
Additionally, the College’s Carpentry students will have the opportunity to discover how the Royal & Derngate team created the set for the production.
Jesse Jones, Artistic Director at Royal & Derngate, who is directing the show, said: “We thought it was really important when we programmed this play to try and get as many 16 to 18-year-olds as possible to come and watch it because it particularly affects those young people.
“We’re really proud and excited to be working with Northampton College who have committed to bringing around 2,000 students to come and watch the play and also to work with us on facilitating conversations around online safety, masculinity and how their interaction with the online space can affect the way they interact in the real world.”
A special crossover episode of Royal & Derngate’s Beyond the Stage podcast with Northampton College featuring host Kyle Collingwood, director Jesse Jones, Jason Lancaster and Northampton College Music and Performing Arts Curriculum Manager Sarah Thursby discussing the pressing themes explored in ‘Top Gs Like Me’ is available to watch at https://youtu.be/xIoUdlD4QNg or listen at https://on.soundcloud.com/qEV6QcV7SvLh9EkzyE.
As part of the wider Education Partnership between Northampton College and Royal & Derngate, across the academic year students will also have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops with local artists and Royal & Derngate staff including reframing masculinity, street art, and Brecht’s epic theatre, as well as avail of discounted and complimentary tickets to other productions and events.
To book tickets for the show, visit https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/top-gs-like-me/
For more information about Northampton College visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk
