The Fat Girl Gets A Haircut and Other Stories

The Roundhouse in London has commissioned artist/director Mark Storor to create a new theatre production inspired by and featuring a company of teenagers.

The cast, then aged between twelve and fifteen, were selected via an open audition in October 2009 and include a member with a disability.

The resulting production includes theatre, live art and installation and explores themes of love, family, sexuality and religion through 13 'portraits'.

Actor Jacob Crossley has Asperger's syndrome and it was his experiences which inspired one of the show's stories.

Burlesque Boy is about a teenager with an aversion to body hair who fears that everyone wants to kill him. He also has questions about his sexuality.

"I never thought I would do something like this and meet new people. It has given me more confidence and I'm quite proud of myself. I want people to enjoy the play and keep an open mind on what it's about and who's in it," says Crossley.

The Fat Girl Gets A Haircut & Other Stories opened at the Roundhouse Main Space, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH on 26 April and runs to 7 May 2011.

Lyn Gardner has written a review of the first night which you can read here.