Urban Alchemy is a celebration of young people and their cultures, imagination and aspirations. The project gives opportunities to young people to make positive changes in their communities. It’s all about bringing art forms such as drama, break dancing and graffiti back to the streets where they originated and claiming space for young people to engage in positive activities.

Northern Stage, Dance City and The Sage Gateshead have been working with the Federation of Detached Youth Work across six settings. Creative projects are taking place at the Phoenix Project, Meadowell, Walker/Byker YMCA, Bensham Avenues Project, Doxford Youth Project, Highfield Community Centre and Barley Mow Village Hall.

We launched the next phase of projects in February with an Urban Alchemy party at Dance City.

Northern Stage actor and director Stephen Lamb worked with a group from the Bensham Avenues project. The group created a version of Romeo and Juliet for an exciting promenade performance in Saltwell Park on 4 June 2011. The play was a roaring success and even attracted some media attention see The Chronicle's report here.

Urban Alchemy is part of NE-Generation and has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting

impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and 

local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.