Sex and religion under the spotlight in new 20 Stories High play

What happens when you’re in a hole? What happens when that hole’s inside you? What do you fill it with to make yourself feel Whole?Young people's theatre company 20 Stories High is getting ready to present a bold and unflinching look at sex, sexuality and religion for young people in 21st century Britain.Staying true to the company vision, that ‘everybody’s got a story to tell… and their own way of telling it’, Whole has been inspired from the real stories of the young people of Liverpool that 20 Stories High engages with.The origins of the show date back to the company’s youth theatre and young actors company meeting for a ‘dinner and debate’ session in early 2012, and contentious topics of sexuality and religion were discussed with passion.Not wanting to shy away from challenging subject matter, co-artistic director Julia Samuels and writer Philip Osment saw an opportunity for 20 Stories High to turn the debate into a new play.They say: “About 50% of our young actors company have moved to the UK from Africa, and many hold deep rooted Christian beliefs. The dinner and debate highlighted the challenge these young people face when presented with the more liberated sexual views of non–religious young people; trying to reconcile their beliefs whilst fitting in with their mates is a tricky balancing act. We saw a story that needed to be told, a story about identity and sexual politics for young people in the UK today.”Using these real life experiences and the words of young people, Whole is set to be an unflinchingly honest exploration of sexuality and religion, shining a spotlight on four friends as they come of age in 21st century Britain - attempting to reconcile religious beliefs, a quest for fulfillment, and an understanding of sex and sexuality. The show is recommended for ages 13+.Whole will tour to local schools and small-scale venues between January and March, and premieres at the Unity from January 31 to February 2.For more information visit 20 Stories High's website or www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk.