Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Politicians never seem to learn, especially once they have got used to the taste of power offered by the spectre of Government. For all their promises, the smiling rhetoric of how the young are the ones to which they look too for inspiration for the future; that all they are doing is for them, once the Promises are made, they are forgotten quicker than a jumper given by a colour-blind aunt when hastily shoved into the back of a cupboard.

In the first part of a double bill event put on by the tremendous 20 Stories High at the Unity Theatre, Promises was a poignant reminder that out of the sections of society that have had perhaps the roughest time in recent years, demonised by the press, told that their efforts are worthless and not valued by society is that of the country’s young.

In an education system that seems to want amiable automatons, able to recite everything ad verbatim and to tow a non-existent party line, the wreckage of such meaningless rhetoric can be seen. It is almost as if those who run the country don’t want the young to be able to express themselves or to be able to think for themselves. The constant pressure of exams, relentless, obtrusive and gaining no real insight into a nation’s ability in future years, only to recite facts that have been placed before them, spoon fed and nurtured to be good little citizens is at odds with the true nature of social upheaval. It is a paradox that at some point will surely implode.

Brought together by the 20 Stories High team, the youth theatre section enthralled and entertained with great sincerity the piece offered to an appreciative audience who lapped up the feast on offer and who mentally must have relived their own anarchy in the face of such pointless austerity measures.

The movement was swift, dramatic, and passionate and in the opening segment was bought alive by the whole team and in particular Gabby Ellison who encapsulated what it means to have drive in such performance.

A timely reminder to those in charge that you take great risks in demonising and over-demanding the young with such arrogance, they don’t forget, their memories are long and whilst you keep their minds sweating over such matters as school performances, the truth will out one day and they will have their revenge.

For 20 Stories High, Promises is yet another towering success.

Ian D. Hall