Nest at RSPB St Aidan's: Inside new 'immersive theatre experience' at Yorkshire nature reserve

A 355-hectare nature park is the setting for a new immersive theatre piece, with a cast of more than 100, exploring themes of identity, existence and climate migration through the eyes of young people.
By Steve Teale
Published 6th Sep 2023, 06:00 BST

The audience of Nest will follow the performers as they move around the paths and ponds at St Aidan’s RSPB Nature Park in Leeds – a former opencast coal mine which features 12km of trails as well as reedbeds, wetlands, meadows and woodland.

Nest – which features live music, design, visual projections, movement and performance – is a collaboration between the National Youth Theatre (NYT) and Leeds 2023, written by Emma Nuttall and directed by NYT’s chief executive and artistic director Paul Roseby.

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Set in the year 2050, the story follows 20-year-old Skyler’s journey around the park for a bird watching festival following the loss of their grandmother.

An actor during the dress rehearsal for theatre production Nest, which was Co-produced and co-commissioned by LEEDS 2023 and National Youth Theatre, at St Aidan's RSPB Nature Park located between Leeds and CastlefordAn actor during the dress rehearsal for theatre production Nest, which was Co-produced and co-commissioned by LEEDS 2023 and National Youth Theatre, at St Aidan's RSPB Nature Park located between Leeds and Castleford
An actor during the dress rehearsal for theatre production Nest, which was Co-produced and co-commissioned by LEEDS 2023 and National Youth Theatre, at St Aidan's RSPB Nature Park located between Leeds and Castleford

The producers said it was conceived in response to an NYT members survey that found the climate crisis was the issue that young people were most interested in exploring theatrically.

Mr Roseby said: “Nest is the latest big show offering of NYT’s art and activism programme unlocking facts and stories of our climate crisis by animating locations and unusual buildings in a dramatic way.

“Staged at St Aidan’s stunning nature park, both local, national and international performers take action with a world premiere production to lift our hearts, minds and give hope to a fragile earth we call home.”

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The production will also see of 10 young people, aged 17 to 30 in backstage roles, including stage management and design, many of whom have been recruited from across Yorkshire in partnership with Leeds Playhouse through an open call.

An actor during against a projection during the dress rehearsal for theatre production NestAn actor during against a projection during the dress rehearsal for theatre production Nest
An actor during against a projection during the dress rehearsal for theatre production Nest

The cast will also feature participants from NYT’s Associate Company, Compass Collective, who assist unaccompanied minor refugees and young people seeking asylum to build resilience and integrate into the UK through theatre, music and film.

– Nest takes place at RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park until Saturday. For tickets and more information visit leeds2023.co.uk.

Related topics:RSPBYorkshireLeeds