A new production by Storyhouse Young Company will take to the stage in Chester this month.

Idyll will be performed at the Garret Theatre on Friday and Saturday, 22–23 May, with tickets available from £5.

Set in a rural village during a sweltering July day, the play introduces a cast of vivid characters navigating rising tensions as visitors arrive and emotions begin to surface. At its heart, the story explores questions of belonging and who has the right to call a place home.

Written by award-winning playwright Matt Hartley (Sixty Five Miles, Eyam, Here I Belong), Idyll is directed by Anna Berentzen and features artwork by collage artist and designer Ali Vermilio.

Storyhouse Young Company (SYC) is a free actor training programme for 18 to 25-year-olds from Chester and the surrounding area, funded by the Couch Foundation and audience donations.

Each year, 16 participants complete four months of training, followed by an intensive rehearsal period with a professional creative team, culminating in a full-scale production presented on the Storyhouse stage.

Producer Amy Tulley said the programme continues to highlight the strength of local talent.

"Storyhouse Young Company is a free training opportunity for young local people aged 18 to 25, and it's always inspiring to see the level of talent, commitment and creativity they bring," she added.

advertisement

"It's particularly special to be able to nurture and showcase artists from across Chester and the surrounding community. This production is a real celebration of their work, and we can't wait to share it with audiences."

Four recent graduates - Lewis Baron, Rachel Uyigue, Lauren Lees and Owen Ellis - will also appear in the 2026 Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season as part of Storyhouse's Trainee Actor Scheme.

You can find more details here.