(ANS - Paris) - "It seemed appropriate to present, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco, an amateur performance that puts young people on the stage to remind a young audience of the work and the remarkable personality of Don Bosco." So said the Salesian, Jacques Rey, Leader ofAtelier Multimédia.

by Fr Placide Carava, SDB

The title of the show, Don Bosco Academy, was inspired by a famous French television programme, which allows the young people selected to train in the performing arts, in the hope of winning a contract with a record label, as well as a large sum of money. But Don Bosco Academy does not pursue the same goal ...

Jacques Rey’s team asked Tristan Groulard, Director of Musicals, to produce a show. The professionalism and dynamism of this professional "in tune with the world of young people" - as pointed out by Jacques Rey – “enabled the boys to give of their best in the project. It included learning everything that is involved in the production of a musical, and all this can be rewarding and fulfilling for adolescents," added the Salesian.

Headquarters for the project was the Salesian House of Nice, which hosted a youth camp in the spring of 2014 (for the recording of the music and songs), and a summer camp in July 2014 (to design settings and choreography), the two main elements in the preparation of this show. The sets and costumes were created in just two months by young religious from two Salesian institutes (the Daughters of Mary Help of Guines and the Salesians of Marseille) assisted by students of both institutes.

The premiere of the musical Don Bosco Academy will take place on 27 October on a prestigious stage in Paris. Due to the high level of training that was offered them, thanks to professionals from the world of theatre, music and dance, young people will arrive well prepared. Tristan Groulard says: "The challenge has been overcome!  I was very impressed by the desire, commitment and talents of the young people.  They have proved to us every day that we were right to trust them. "

The show is intended as a new approach to Don Bosco today. "What makes it unique,” says Jacques Rey, “is the view it presents of the world today, in which young people face many difficulties ... The challenge is not just for Tristan and his team, or for the Salesian Province which co-produced the show. It is a matter that concerns the whole Salesian network."

Ten performances are already scheduled for ten different cities in France and Belgium (from 27 October 2014 to 11 November 2015). Each performance will be preceded by a week of training for the young people involved.

Published 26/09/2014