NEWSFLASH:TONIGHT'S PERFORMANCE CANCELLED

A statement from York Theatre Royal:

"We regret that we have been forced to cancel the performance of Layla's Room by the Theatre Centre tonight. One of the three actors has picked up an illness that would make it impossible for them to perform. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

For refunds, phone 01904 623568.

THE voice of a thousand teenage girls, feminist poet Sabrina Mahfouz’s new play Layla’s Room sparks urgent conversations around sexism in Britain at York Theatre Royal on Tuesday night.

In this world premiere, which is touring schools and theatres this autumn, Mahfouz conveys the teen experience of navigating the battlegrounds of friendship, fear and moving into the future.

A bespoke national survey explored the anxieties and ambitions of young women, with responses inspiring a multitude of narratives, embodied by the character of Layla. Given that 57 per cent of respondents worried about weight loss/weight gain and 50 per cent cited confidence as the main reason they would not enter the career they wanted, Theatre Centre artistic director Natalie Wilson wanted to address the damaging messages faced by women.

"My ambition in commissioning this play was to create a piece of theatre that would affirm to all young people that being a girl is, can be and should be a celebration of greatness," says Natalie.

"I wanted to highlight the misogyny faced by all teenagers today and put it higher up the agenda. This work felt urgent, creating a safe space for young people to hold conversations around sexism, but also enabling them to cast off these stereotypes and behaviours."

After writing for Paines Plough, BBC3, Clean Break and Bush Theatre, Layla's Room is the first play that Sabrina has written for schools touring, introducing her voice to young audiences who would not otherwise have access to her work.

Research published by Girlguiding in July 2016 stated that “90 per cent of nine to ten year olds think that women and men have the same chance at succeeding in their jobs, but only 35 per cent of 17 to 21 year olds feel the same”. This climate of sexism has sparked a wider scheme, looking to understand how, when and why childhood aspirations are quashed by sexist insecurities.

Tickets for Tuesday's one-hour performance are on sale from the Theatre Royal box office in person, by phone on 01904 623568 and online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk