Hannah Partington (Takeover Technician): 'I am feeling a little bit scared now, the festival is a huge event and now very soon! Ben Wallace, the technical theatre mentor, is awesome and a great teacher. I have learnt more here at the Albany then at college!'

Tanya Pham (Creative Apprentice, Assistant Project Manager): 'I have been involved in Takeover from the beginning – from recruiting the participants to the final week of the festival. I have seen how the participants have grown in confidence and knowledge week to week. From a group of people who didn't know each other, it now feels like we are one big family.'

Melissa Yeap (Takeover Photographer): 'Working on Takeover festival has been brilliant. I have learnt a lot from Polly Yuill, my mentor and upped my photography skills. I am so excited about the festival because it involves all different types of performance.'

Philippa Okenyi (Takeover Event Manager): 'Working on takeover as an Event Manager has been an eye opener for me and a great experience. It has broadened my interest in theatre.'

TJ Donohoe (Takeover Producer): 'I am excited and nervous about the festival launching next week. My mentor has been great to learn from.'

And the staff:

Sophie Bradey (Programme Coordinator and Takeover Producer Mentor): 'The team of young people who have created Takeover with the Albany have been committed and inspiring to work with. They have challenged our ideas around how we programme and create work at the Albany and renewed our ambition to punch above our weight as a venue.'

Estelle Buckridge (Creative Learning Manager and Takeover Project Manager): 'The Future Fusion project has really energised how we work with young people at the Albany. Getting young people involved with all aspects of the planning and production of a full-scale festival has been a mammoth task and a learning experience for us all, but has led to an exciting programme of activities and performances. We have been working with the next generation of talent within the Creative Industries and equipping them with the tools to start their careers.'

END

Note - Thanks to the staff at the Albany and Kim Morgan PR for collating these comments. The Takeover Festival runs 15-21 March 2010. For full season listings see www.thealbany.org.uk. The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG. Box Office 020 8692 4446. For further information, images, interviews contact Kim Morgan kim (at) kimmorgan-pr.com.

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

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