




Alison Priestley on 07917690224
or by email alisonpriestley123@hotmail.com
The Company meets weekly in term time to take part in workshops, or rehearsals for productions, or to devise projects. Members are encouraged to develop their acting skills, to learn about the technical and 'backstage' aspects of theatre and to explore new ideas. Working to create good theatre takes a lot of discipline and committment - to the production and to everyone else in it. It's also a lot of fun. Working together like this does a lot to increase our members' self confidence and self esteem and their ability to express themselves and to communicate.

Youth Theatre Members at the Arts Centre

The Visit, summer 2009

Do We Ever See Grace, autumn 2008
There are about 60 in the Company, divided into three age groups. Together members produce challenging and innovative work to an extremely high standard in at least three productions a year. Some join forces with the adult 1812 Company. In fact, some go on to join them regularly.
Recently several members successfully auditioned for the National Youth Theatre, being cast in productions at venues such as York Theatre Royal and West Yorkshire Playhouse. And some have gone on to Drama School in London or to university to study theatre.
But perhaps the greatest achievements are those that are most difficult to measure. The loyalty and sense of identity which develop and the relationships that are formed accompany the young people throughout their lives, whatever their chosen future may be.
If you’re interested in joining the 1812 Youth Theatre please contact
Alison Priestley on 07917690224
or by email alisonpriestley123@hotmail.com
Two fabulous plays from our resident Youth Theatre. The Blues Sisters is
a lively and inventive comedy with music. When Madame Chantelle's
School of Dance and Deportment is threatened with closure by evil
property developer Barnaby Sludge, Maddy, Becky and Annie are
transformed into 'The Blues Sisters'. They take on the crooks, but will
they save the day?
are aware
that The Brothers Grimm began compiling the stories to maintain German
culture, not merely to entertain. They feared the literary traditions of
their people were endangered by French occupation so they published the
stories they gathered. It was not until they realised the desire for
presence whose jealously guarded store of music, videos and DVDs from earlier centuries has informed the gang’s unlikely passion for classic TV, horror movies and pop songs. When two strangers, James and Elsa, stumble on the Sleepers’ hideout, they are intrigued by this all-singing, alldancing gang, and begin a chain of events which will explore both the light and the darkness of their rock and roll vampire existence.
towns and cities considered in danger from enemy
bombers, and transported to places of safety in the countryside.
Another big cast in a witty, fast-moving drama. The secondary school's 'progress class' is on a school trip to the coast and cause mayhem in a zoo, a castle and a funfair. Liberal Mrs Kay and the strict Deputy Head have completely different ideas about how the day should be organised.
A celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up… but is a 'day out' all that these young people can expect?
You, Me and Mrs Jones
by Tony Horitz
June 2009

This production involved 34 members from the two youngest Youth Theatre groups aged 9 to 14. It is a comedy that centres around two unemployed teenagers (played by Alex Thorn and Saskia Fullerton Smith) who are sent on a mission to find 'heroes fit to save the day'. On their quest they encounter a hotchpotch of humanity- violent street gangs, cranky religious sects, unscrupulous pop groups, television characters and even a family of vagrants.
The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
April 2009 

This was a huge production that involved 45 members of all age groups of the Youth Theatre, ranging from ages 9 to 18. It is a hugely exciting piece of theatre which is very much of our time. The play was presented as a 'clown show' in a circus big-top. All of the actors wore clown costumes, creating a kaleidoscope of impressions around the central character of Grace. Young Grace was played by Amy Ellis and Old Grace by Polly Gunton, who has since gone on to play a part in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' at West Yorkshire Playhouse.