Kheira Bey Silver Gold Contributor

A 24-hour opera! Wow! Good luck

Quite simply a good article from a knowledgeable apprentice! The apprenticeship levy will come into force now, so I think there will definitely be a bigger pool of opportunities in the future and the option to do a degree apprenticeship too. I understand degrees, however they still don't guarantee a job and a lot of graduates are struggling now. Our generation can't afford near as much as our parents did and the prospect of already having a job, will beat those who haven't been on the job market for the last 3 years whilst apprentices will be more likely to take the next step. And quite frankly, if your employer is paying for you to be educated, why not?!!!

'This formula is somewhat dated, safe and, sadly, repetitive and thus boring.' -> Don't you think that they were being mindful of the 'drama' and didn't want to conflict too much? Therefore they went with a simpler formula.

I love a negative review and you have actually put me off seeing this, which is hard to do as Simon Stephens is my bae! Although frankly, I agree, musical theatre and strict drama are not compatible and although Frantic Assembly are clearly talented, beautifully entwined performers- they can be a bit overwhelming and detract from the theatrical action. Some things don't work, but the motto for life is that at least they tried something and will evaluate that for future collaborations.

If you're interested, I interviewed Stephens- https://www.voicemag.uk/interview/interview-with-simon-stephens-playwright and he really is a great man!

I really don't hope that there's a sudden surge of people tying themselves to railings and burning bras! It's definitely a topical issue, as there is still some [I don't want to say 'Ageism'] prejudice against the young. If someone has been on this Earth for a longer time, somehow they're more entitled. Which is kinda fair in a sense. But then I think the curriculum should put more time into learning the basics of politics. I had no idea what the types of government were until I was 17 and learning Russian political history, when I no idea what was a British government. What was a coalition? What even was the difference between right and left wing- and frankly why are they 'wings'? We're not on Nature Watch and Attenborough isn't lurking about in a bush somewhere. If I didn't know it, I wouldn't be able to vote properly and to be honest I still had no idea what I was voting for when I did vote for the first time. Surely I'm not on my own? Politics isn't clear and they need to fix that.

Although, as they've started to allocate more time in the curriculum to things like sex education, global warming, abortion, abuse, rape, nutrition- maybe politics is next on the to do list?

I don't get politics, yes it is too serious... but I feel that politicians don't do themselves much help. I never understand them as they do use a very formal register, which could be seen as a form of divergence; which could be seen as distancing themselves from their public. Likewise, when I see politicians on TV being interviewed, they'll be asked a simple question and will somehow shift the whole point of the question all together. It's not that difficult to be clear and coherent, but hey maybe they have something to hide? Also can Theresa May stop talking in the third person ALL THE TIME???

'The creative impact the art at the Saatchi Gallery had on me ranged from me absolutely loving some paintings to me not quite understanding the purpose of others.' It is okay not to understand anything! Back in the olden days, i.e. the Victorian era, Oscar Wilde amongst other artists promoted the Aesthetic Movement which promoted 'Art for Art's Sake'. This basically meant that art was just there to be pretty and looked at and wasn't there to really have a purpose or [often political] message. So sometimes that view is still displayed in art. Has your trip persuaded you to go to more? Will you share your next trip on Voice, as I'd love to hear more from you.