British Orienteering

Orienteering hits the stage!

4 February 2025

Essex-based playwright, Vickie Donoghue brings orienteering to the stage this Spring with her new production: 'Fresh Air'.

In support of the production and it's mentions of orienteering, Ric Gamble from British Orienteering attended the Crescent Arts Youth Theatre group on Saturday 1 February 2025 to further promote the sport to young adults and introduce them to orienteering. 

The play really promotes the sport, and it's benefits and the power of teamwork and the great outdoors. Its a wonderful play with the Orienteering being the driving force and ultimate unifying force for a group of students who have been isolated for various reasons. 

Youth Theatre Director, Andrea Grimason said: 

"Our Youth Theatre had an amazing morning orienteering with Richard Gamble. It was the perfect way to engage in team building and energise the company through fun outdoor exercise and problem solving, we had so much fun, and I certainly will build it into my rehearsal process in the future, it's a great way of bonding and connecting a group as well as exploring the themes of the play."

 Ric added: "It was a really fun morning and I’m glad everyone enjoyed it and it has supported the production".

Images below: Ric pictured with the Crescent Arts Youth Theatre group, and members of the group participate in the orienteering activity. 

 Orienteering Image
Orienteering Image
Orienteering Image

The plot

Students from a Pupil Referral group are made to go orienteering in what they discover is England’s most haunted woods. Stalked by eery ghost children determined to keep them there forever, they must learn to confront the here and now to unlock the key to their futures.

43 groups are performing the play; a mix of schools, colleges, and youth theatres, with a wide range of experience and resource levels across the country! Please consider supporting it at the dates and locations listed. 

View the dates and locations