IDYLL To Be Presented At Garret Theatre This May
Matt Hartley's IDYLL, directed by Anna Berentzen, features a cast of 16 young Chester actors
Storyhouse Young Company will present IDYLL by Matt Hartley at the Garret Theatre in Chester. The production will be staged as part of the company’s actor training program for young people aged 18 to 25.
Performances will take place Friday and Saturday, May 22–23, 2026. Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting at £5.
Set in a rural village during a heatwave, IDYLL follows a group of characters as tensions rise and relationships shift amid an influx of visitors. The play explores questions of community, belonging, and who has the right to call a place home.
The production is directed by Anna Berentzen and features artwork by collage artist and designer Ali Vermilio. IDYLL is written by Matt Hartley, whose previous works include Sixty Five Miles, Eyam, and Here I Belong.
Storyhouse Young Company is a free actor training scheme for young people in Chester and the surrounding area. Sixteen participants are selected for each program and take part in four months of training, followed by an intensive rehearsal and production period with a professional creative team.
Director Anna Berentzen said, “I'm extremely excited to be working with the Storyhouse Young Company on Idyll by Matt Hartley. It will be a chance for the company to showcase the skills they've learned while working for Storyhouse, in a play that is about community and belonging.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity to work with exciting, talented young artists in a theatre that values artist development.”
Producer Amy Tulley said, “Storyhouse Young Company is a free training opportunity for young local people aged 18 to 25, and it's always inspiring to see the level of talent, commitment and creativity they bring.
“It’s particularly special to be able to nurture and showcase artists from across Chester and the surrounding community. This production is a real celebration of their work, and we can't wait to share it with audiences.”
Four graduates of the program—Lewis Baron, Rachel Uyigue, Lauren Lees, and Owen Ellis—will also appear in the 2026 Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season as part of Storyhouse’s Trainee Actor Scheme.
Lottie Lazenby, Children & Young People Programme Manager at Storyhouse, said, “This is a full circle moment for the programme as SYC is funded significantly by our generous park audiences, in addition to the Couch Foundation. So if you've ever donated to Storyhouse, you have directly supported the training of a new generation of local actors that enrich the artistic scene in the North West.”
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