The trials and tribulations of teenage life according to Tom, Joseph, Benji and Joshy

Created and directed by Tom, this physical theatre journey through the life of a teenager called AJ will be performed at the John Cooper Studio, 41 Monkgate, York, from July 27 to 29 by Tom, 18, Joseph, 14, Benji, 12, and Joshy, ten.

"We each play AJ at different ages and when we're not being AJ, we become the environment he lives in and the people he meets," says Tom. "Potato Soup is a humorous snapshot into what it is to be a teenager in today's world and is suitable for anyone who has once been a teenager, is going to be a teenager at some point or who is a teenager now."

Writer, director and actor Tom Leiby

This nascent theatre company was set up by Tom last October with a view to doing this play. "I was talking with musical director and international cellist Sat Parvan and we came up with the thought of putting physical theatre with music to create new, unique performances," he says. "I know Sat Parvan through doing a yoga teacher training course. Next, we would love to tour this show around schools etc to bring awareness to issues around teenagers' mental health and more."

Tom studied at York College for a Level 3 Performing Arts Diploma in acting and is now setting up his own business teaching parkour and guitar, as well as establishing the Yotunhiem theatre company. Joseph (the youngest of four brothers), Benji and Joshy are all being home educated, studying classes such as English, maths, music, drama, sports and science.

"I've always been destined for dramatics, putting on shows for family and friends at a young age," says Tom. "I went to school until Year 2 and then became home educated until Year 9. Having been out of school, doing very little academic work for seven years, everyone was surprised when I walked out with great GCSE results and then went on to York College.

Joshy and Benji Buckley with Joseph and Tom Leiby, playing AJ at different ages in Potato Soup For The Teenage Soul

"I've been in many different amateur and professional shows in and around York, including The Wind In The Willows, In Fog And Falling Snow, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Spamalot and more. I play guitar, banjo, ukulele (who doesn’t?), alto saxophone and a bit of piano; I teach freerunning/parkour and guitar, I'm in training to become a kundalini yoga teacher, and in my spare time I like finding new things to try out."

His present focus is on In Potato Soup For The Teenage Soul, wherein Alex James Lucko, alias AJ, is an amalgamation of Tom, Jody, Benji and Joshy’s experiences, characteristics and personalities of their teenage/pre-teen years.

"He lives in a normal house with his normal family and he goes to a normal school, but this kid is far from normal," says Tom. "We meet AJ at the age of ten and he's dropped right into the thick of his life. Every day he makes his way to the gladiator arena we call school. His mates Gav, Kev and Big Jeff never hesitate to politely keep him grounded with top-quality banter. At home, his parents get on his nerves – who’s don’t, right? – and he doesn't like his cat because it keeps licking him."

Joseph Leiby

As AJ grows up and teenage life hits him hard, will he make it through, ponders Tom's play. "We never actually grow up, only learn how to act in public," he suggests.

The show features original music by Sat Parvan, a Yorkshire Musician in Residence for the Arts Council, qualified massage therapist, Gongmaster and trainee Kundalini Yoga instructor, who knew she wanted to be a cellist from the age of six. She has performed in Russia, Germany, Italy, Canada and Austria and given recitals in Britain and on the continent, as well as playing on Barbara Dickson's album For Each and Everyone and participating in improvisations with marionettist Salim Hammad and multi-disciplinary theatre projects with artist Sumer Başak.

Now she is working with Tom on his debut theatre piece. As the first night approaches, Tom says: "Putting on my first show, wow, what a journey. My main intention was to bring people together through mutual experiences. From my brother and cousins to all of you, the audience; we hope that you can relate to our interpretation of modern teenage life.

Benji Buckley

"I've been very lucky to work with people like Sat Parvan, from Resound, and Adam Moore, from Tech 24/7, who have a wealth of experience which I've drawn on to help me find my way in evolving our story. It’s not always been easy! Working with my brother and cousins, who are young and inexperienced in theatre, has been a challenge.

"That said, however, seeing how they stepped up to my many requests of them was incredibly inspiring for me. And step up they did. They all brought their own ideas to the table, they worked hard, they stepped out of their comfort zone and they did something they have never done before.

Joshy Buckley

"This has been a massive part of my life in since the idea formed on October 27 2016. We started rehearsing that day and have barely stopped since, much to Benji’s disgust! We never took ourselves too seriously though, always managing to have a belly laugh in rehearsals. I'm elated that Potato Soup has evolved from a little idea into a show. Onwards and upwards."

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale at £10, concessions £7, family £30, at yotunhiem.co.uk, on 07866 141514 or by emailing tom@yotunhiem.co.uk.