Radio Play Gives Teenagers Much-needed Confidence Boost

Published on: 19 Dec, 2012
Updated on: 19 Dec, 2012

Teenagers who came together in Guildford to create a unique radio version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, say it has helped boost their confidence and skills.

Recording A Christmas Carol that will be broadcast on 96.4 Eagle Radio Extra this Thursday, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Radio Live initiative saw Eagle Radio join forces with G Live’s creative learning department to record an original script, as well as the teenagers producing their own sound effects for the play, which will be broadcast on-air across Surrey and Hampshire. In addition they also gained a recognised Trinity Bronze Arts Award in recognition of their efforts.

The 22 participants ranged in age from from 11 to 17 and included children with cystic fibrosis, dyslexia and autism. They included pupils from schools across the South East.

Research undertaken by Eagle Radio has found that individuals who took part in the course increased their confidence in areas such as working with others, asking questions and having a go at new things by up to 22%.

72% also said that they wanted to read more of Dickens’ work, with a big increase in the number saying that they wanted to work in a creative industry.

The youngsters in rehearsal at G Live.

Chris Howell from Eagle Radio said: “We spend a lot of time working closely with community groups to improve our local area and the future prospects within it, but we were still blown away by the talent and commitment that this group of young people displayed as they put together the production. Many remarked that it would stand them in good stead when writing a CV or applying to university, so it is heartening to see that in these tougher times many young people are taking responsibility to improve their own futures. We were immensely proud to broadcast the finished production and have already received all manner of positive feedback about it.”

A Christmas Carol will be broadcast on Eagle Extra on Thursday, December 20, at 6pm, Christmas Eve at 4pm and Christmas Day at 2pm.

The next Radio Live course, Things that go BUMP in the night, is running February half term, find out more at www.964eagle.co.uk/radiolive