'Burnby in Bloom'
by Thunk-It Youth Theatre
‘Burnby in Bloom’ began taking root in Summer 2025, when the Thunk-It team delivered creative workshops at Pocklington Arts Centre and Platform 66 in Stamford Bridge. Working with young people, the team explored heritage materials, local stories, and fascinating fragments of Burnby Hall Gardens’ past. Together, they unearthed the details that sparked curiosity, imagination, and excitement.
From these lively sessions, our scriptwriter Jules gathered the ideas, questions, and discoveries that resonated most strongly. She shaped them into an original script that reflects the voices and creativity of the young people who helped inspire it.
Over the following two terms, Thunk-It Youth Theatre rehearsed and developed the piece, collaborating with composer Joe Allen to create a collection of beautiful, original songs inspired by the history and heritage of Burnby Hall Gardens. Music and storytelling came together to bring the past vividly to life.
‘Burnby in Bloom’ is a joyful adventure that transforms local history into a theatrical treasure hunt. The play begins when a band of curious Discoverers, wise Ancients, and mischievous Frogs stumble upon an old trunk filled with forgotten objects. Each item unlocks a story: a suffragette’s flag, a hunting trophy, a love letter, a paintbrush. As the young performers follow these clues, they create a colourful portrait of the lives and dreams of Katharine and Percy Stewart, the visionary couple behind Burnby Hall Gardens.
Celebrating imagination, collaboration, and community heritage, ‘Burnby in Bloom’ is a vibrant showcase of young talent and the stories that shape the place we call home.
Want to read the script? Download it here!
