The Golden Door

The Golden Door was performed in Egglescliffe Arts Theatre on 6th/ 7th September 2001.

Director’s Note 

Having seen The Golden Door last year, presented by ARC Youth Theatre, I thought it would make an ideal first Junior Youth Theatre production. I am overwhelmed with the work that the cast have put into rehearsals over the summer school week. We have had so much fun! A big thank you goes to the group, who have directed this as much as me. Without their abundance of energy and imagination the show wouldn’t be what it is.

 The Golden Door examines what could happen if our world was no more.

It sets a challenge…

It asks questions…

At its root is the life cycle and survival of the fittest. 

In today’s world of depleting natural resources, what can we do? Recycling was all the rage at one time but not so now. Maybe it is such a part of our every day lives that it has become second nature.

 How can we reclaim land to satisfy the needs of our growing society?

 With the threat of man-made and natural disaster, who knows what future lies ahead for our society?

 How often do you recall that the very essence of life is to survive? What is your identity? How many of you think about what your purpose in life is? How far are you prepared to go? 

Facing our inner most fears is a strong theme of the play, with characters such as the Witch, the Giants and other monsters. They are no more than a symbol of all the anxieties and pressures we as society place upon ourselves. 

We have tried to capture these themes and issues in our interpretation of the play. The idea of underground pirates in this futuristic adultless society came from the group, as we tried to answer some of the above questions and create a reclaimed world; with outlandish ideas for costumes too, which I am sure you will be impressed with! How many things can you do with a bin liner?

 As you follow the story of the Jagged Ones’ struggle for survival, you may catch a glimpse of yourself in each of the characters. And, maybe you will begin to find your own Golden Door.

 We hope you enjoy the performance.

 Mik Errington

The Golden Door

 Time: The Future

Place: The Underworld

Things to watch out for: The Giant, The Witch, Grabbers and Pus Balls

Locations:

1. Tricky Icarus – A tunnel
2. Everybody freeze – Jagged Ones camp
3. Mother’s love – another tunnel
4. One eye but it’s evil – Back at camp
5. Take a deep breath – A different tunnel
6. The bad eat – Another camp
7. Death is the hunter – Another different tunnel
8. Here be dragons – A new place