Children in the care system remain frequently overlooked and a particularly unspoken topic, often bearing stigma. LUNG theatre company are looking to rightfully shift that narrative using their latest production, The Children's Inquiry, currently housed at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Already receiving rave reception, the piece explores the intricacies of the hidden stories of children in care through a thought-provoking and trailblazing musical, crafted from genuine voices of experience.
Alexzandra Sarmiento is the brains behind the choreography that is captured within the show and has spoken in more depth about this process.
What drew you to this piece and how is it different to those you have worked on previously?
The EPIC music is what drew me into the piece. Joining The Children's Inquiry (TCI) team in 2020 was also my first encounter with LUNG and I was honoured to be a part of this activist theatre organisation. I normally don't get to do much politically charged work as a choreographer, and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to help create this unique and important piece of theatre.
Why are the messages conveyed important to you personally and to share with audiences?
I learned so much about about children in care while working on TCI. It has changed my understanding of the system and the people inside and surrounding it. A line from the show states that: "systems didn't save me, but people did" - and I believe the show truly challenges us to question how we can uplift and change society at both the micro and macro level. Even seemingly small gestures of kindness and empathy can have a huge effect, and I hope that the show inspires people to engage with and support the care system in whatever way they can.
What preparations have you made to ensure the true story is represented as accurately as possible?
Matt (the director) and I spoke at length about the narrative of the show in the lead-up to rehearsals. We spent time honing in on what the core feelings were that we wanted to portray theatrically in our staging. When I make choreography, the physical gestures are always born out of the text, which, in this case, is all verbatim; all true to the person who stated it. Through movement, my job is to interpret physically the core emotion of what the text is telling us - I hope that people feel that it supports accurately what is being said on stage!
How have you found the development process and what considerations are required when creating a show performed by a cast of young people?
Getting to create this piece with young people has been such an eye-opening experience. I truly don't think we would be able to capture the spirit of what the show's message and call to action is without them. Their energy and empathy in both their performances and in the creation of the show have been invaluable.
How can the musical aspects combine with the script to become an impacting and meaningful display of children's voices?
Children are loud, colourful, energetic, rule-breaking, rambunctious, empathetic, academic, emotionally intelligent (among many other excellent things!) - all part of a list of attributes that I love to experience in theatre. I think that our cast inherently has these qualities, and they are celebrated in the show's musical theatre form. I hope that when people see the show they are indeed impacted not only by the performances of the young people but also by what messages the young people are telling us.
What have you learnt from taking on this production and how has it made you reflect on your own childhood?
I feel very lucky to have had the childhood I experienced - some of the stories heard during TCI are brutal, and make you reverent for your own upbringing. From the start of my involvement in this project I (and hopefully you as well) have felt compelled to support young people in the care system in any which way I can.
What can society do to better value the experiences of children in care?
Just because you might not have close proximity to a child in care doesn't mean you can't do anything to affect needed change. It can be hard to find a place to start - gratefully LUNG has amassed a "call to action" space on their website and you can start there!
How would you sum up the show in just one sentence?
Children are fearless!
Thanks so much to Alex for your contributions to this informative interview - it's a real privilege to hear from not just a fantastic creative, but one working to champion such important topics. Best wishes for everything going forward, it's always great to see the successes of your projects!
The Children's Inquiry is such a crucial piece of theatre, which I highly urge you to support, not only for the wonders of our current children but to advocate for future generations caught up in the unruly care system.
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