Youth Theatre

Reading

Masquerade Youth Theatre (not on this page)
Progress Theatre student group and youth group (not on this page)
Starmaker
Woodley Theatre youth group (not on this page)

Basingstoke Youth Theatre (Haymarket)

For young people aged 14-19 in Hampshire, meeting on Thursday evenings. Entry is by audition only. For information on joining and attending Youth Theatre Productions please contact the Haymarket on 01256 355844.

Central Studio Youth Theatre (Basingstoke)

There are junior youth theatre groups for two age ranges - 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. The Bite Size group is for the 8 to 11 year olds and meets from 5:30 to 7:00 on Tuesdays. The older groups are for 12 to 15 years and run from 6:30 to 8:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The senior group is a project-based group that works through an intensive rehearsal period to produce musicals and plays. This group is aimed at 16 years +.

For more information, phone Central Studio on 01256 417511.

Newbury YoungStars

Last production

A Load of Rubbish, 23rd to 25th July 2009
A musical comedy with a strong ecological message. Life on an overspill rubbish dump takes a philosophical turn, with items of rubbish asking 'why are we here?' - and making a song and dance about it!

Where

Arlington Arts Centre.

Box Office

01635 244246.

Review of A Load of Rubbish

23rd to 25th July 2009.

From the Newbury Weekly News.

Message received

Newbury YoungStars: A Load of Rubbish, at Arlington Arts, from Thursday, July 23 to Saturday, July 25

For three evenings in a row, the youth section of Newbury Operatic Society delivered a one-hour performance on behalf of the environment. It should be compulsory viewing for all adults.

With a witty script by Sue Gordon and a very good live accompaniment, the YoungStars delivered their message: RECYCLE, SAVE ENERGY!

The curtains opened on a colourful rubbish dump set with live rubbish. The star of the show was The Newspaper, looking uncannily like the Newbury Weekly News and played by George Stacey, who sang and moved like a professional with his special song When you're Black and White and Read all over. Corny it may be, but it was delivered with such enthusiasm. The brilliant wardrobe designer gave him pages with colour photos and "a mine of useless information".

Barnaby Omar also deserves a special mention as The Carrier Bag, for his clarity of diction and good voice. After a zany opening number by the keyboard, string bass and drums, The Carrier Bag and his colourful group of 'rejects' bemoaned their fate in Once upon a time on what once had been a picnic site.

To a tune from Carmen, three glass bottles begged Please don't throw any glass away. We were getting the message.

For light relief, along came badly-behaved Beer Can to sing I'm Party kind of Guy with the chorus doing a great recycled hand jive.

The plot was slim: the John Rankin School were to save the day by picking up the rubbish and recycling.

Humour saved the show from being downright preachy, with prompts to clap and say 'ooh'. The audience willingly joined in the clapping to It's Never too Late to be an Eco-Warrior - even yours truly and guest.

There was enthusiastic applause at the end. An hour's worth was enough, but we'll stop throwing away a good carrier bag or bottle, and might even think twice before using the tumble dryer on a sunny day.

EILEEN CASTER

Previous productions

Tin Pan Ali, 1st to 2nd August 2008. See the review in the Archive.
Return to the Forbidden Planet, 26th to 28th July 2007. See the review in the Archive.
A Medley of Modern Musicals, 26th to 27th January 2007
The Dracula Spectacula, 3rd to 5th August 2006 - see the review in the Archive.
10th Anniversary Concert, 13th to 14th January 2006
Summer Holiday, 28th to 30th July 2005
The Vackees, 22nd to 24th July 2004 - see the review in the Archive.
Bugsy Malone, 24th to 26th July 2003 - see the review in the Archive.
Smike, 25th to 27th July 2002 - see the review in the Archive.
Christmas show 2001 - see the review here.
Return to the Forbidden Planet, 26th to 28th July 2001.

Who

Newbury YoungStars is the youth section of Newbury Operatic Society. YoungStars rehearse on Monday evenings during term time between 7pm and 9pm. Contact Ann Harris by or phone 01635 40648.

Newbury Youth Theatre

Next production

The Lost Letters of Mr Corrigan, 1st August 2009, then at the Edinburgh Fringe, and back in Newbury on 18th December
A lonely clerk sits at his desk, surrounded by towering piles of the letters and parcels that never arrived. Through him each sender’s hopes and wishes find life and, just occasionally, their intended recipient. Newbury Youth Theatre return with a newly devised production, incorporating their critically acclaimed ensemble storytelling with live music, dark comedy and physical theatre. Now back in Newbury with a special one-off performance, based on the original but with all new, stories inspired by Christmas.

The Lost Letters of Mr Corrigan at the Edinburgh Fringe has won an Editors' Award from the ThreeWeeks review web site. The commendation includes: "We've noticed in recent years that the output of our second winners, Newbury Youth Theatre, has been of a particularly high quality, not least with this year's 5/5 show The Lost Letters Of Mr Corrigan. To be able to achieve such quality with each new generation of young people is particularly noteworthy, and makes Newbury Youth Theatre a definite winner of one of our ThreeWeeks Editors' Awards."

Where

Arlington Arts Centre.

Box Office

Arlington Arts Centre, 01635 244246.

Previous productions

The Wind Tamer, 26th July 2008
Newbury Youth Theatre (NYT), the Corn Exchange's resident youth theatre, is fast becoming recognized as one of the UK's leading young companies. Having garnered four and five star reviews in the national press and much critical acclaim locally over the last 22 years, they return with a preview of their latest production, before returning to the Edinburgh Festival. See the review below.

Just So, 21st July 2007
Our own adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's enchanting tales, including How the Camel Got His Hump, The Elephant's Child and many more. Having performed "youth theatre at its best" (edinburghguide.com) for over 21 years, this is the preview performance of the senior group's annual production, which also appeared at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. See the review in the Archive.

Hope Springs, 17th July 2006
Behind the gloss of TV's Brat Camp lies a startling reality; young people are incarcerated in private centres, sanctioned by their parents, for "treatment." Rebellion is inevitable... Following their sell out success at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, NYT return with this brutal portrayal of teenage vengeance. See the review in the Archive.

Pieces of Us, 21st May 2006
See the review in the Archive.

Skellig, 23rd July 2005
Michael was looking forward to moving house. It was all going to be wonderful. But now his baby sister's ill, his parents are frantic and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into a crumbling garage. What is this thing beneath the spider's webs and dead flies? A human being, or a strange kind of beast never seen before? The only person Michael can confide in is Mina. Together, they carry the creature out into the light and Michael's world changes for ever. The West End smash hit based on David Almond's Whitbread Award winning children's book. See the review below. See the review in the Archive.

Rainbow's Ending, 19th July 2004
The story of two insatiable giants whom rest after devouring the worlds resources. Over the centuries fear turns into faith for the surviving humans living on the bones left by their devastation. But right now the giants are stirring... See the review in the Archive.

The Control Experiment, 25th to 26th July 2003
Imagine living in a kaleidoscope where sounds, images and thoughts are constantly shifting, where you're given drugs similar to cocaine to control your behaviour, but not to cure. Such is the world of children suffering from Attention Deficiency Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Robbie Williams... Who's He? 2nd to 3rd August 2002
Jennifer Grumblemuch doesn't ask for a lot out of life, and no one would notice if she did. So when she wins the Pop Babe UK competition, she seizes the chance to escape her miserable, suburban life. However a sinister plot behind the Pop Babe phenomenon forces her to choose between fame and family. See the review in the Archive.

Dear Kitty, 26th to 27th July 2001.
An adaptation of the diary of Anne Frank. With specially written music and lyrics, it is about the courage and stamina of the Jewish people hidden in the attic in Amsterdam, and the people hiding them. After the Corn Exchange production, we took it to the Edinburgh Fringe from the 12th to the 19th August. See the reviews in the Archive.

About us

At the Corn Exchange, NYT has two groups, for 9-14 and 14-20 year olds. For more information, call Robin Strapp at the Corn Exchange on 01635 582666 or visit our web site at www.newburyyouththeatre.co.uk.

Newbury Youth Theatre was founded in December 1983 and aims to provide local young people the opportunity to develop their theatrical skills and interests and explore the arts in general and learn more about themselves. There are no auditions or restrictions on membership apart from a commitment from the members to support the group, have energy, enthusiasm and a love of theatre. Above all it's fun!

Review of The Wind Tamer

26th July 2008.

Company keep up their record

Different subject matter, same standard of production

Newbury Youth Theatre Edinburgh preview: The Wind Tamer, at The Com Exchange, on Saturday, July 26

Newbury Youth Theatre, now in its 25th year, earned its fine reputation by staging issue-based plays, but this year's production - as last's - has taken a more magical theme.

Adapted from P. R. Morrison's novel, originally written as a bedtime story for her children, The Wind Tamer is the Youth Theatre's first full book adaptation - and the first time the author's work has been staged.

Ten-year-old Archie Stringweed and his family are cursed: all first-born sons are fearful of the world. Prompted by inexplicable birthday presents which arrive each year from Archie's long-lost Uncle Rufus, Archie eventually takes on evil winds and a terrifying tornado to break the curse.

As the drama unfolds, his over-protective parents find their strength too.

Set in the present, the production references the Second World War - an inspired approach, not only because the period is far enough away to be of consuming interest to the current generation but, since it was a time in which ordinary people were called upon to do extraordinary things and display uncommon courage, it fits perfectly with the play's theme.

Good triumphs over evil, bravery defeats bullying, fear is exposed as a self-perpetuating dead end. Archie learns that in extremis people help one another and that we are stronger together than alone.

Uncle Rufus, resplendent in flying jacket, Biggles helmet and goggles, was played splendidly in period and, with spot-on timing by George Collins, who had the clipped RAF voice down to a tee, his 1939 Cessna inventively suggested by a propeller-bearing umbrella. Chief ice gull (Georgia Scarr), commanding her sexy squadron of WAAF gulls, was a dead ringer for Lee Miller.

Callum Battersby's Archie was a touching characterisation. With his friends Georgina (Katie Wheeler) and Sid (Ronan Hatfull), he was a perplexed child, growing in awareness when his father, Jeffrey (Matthew Hodgkin), intimates something of the family secret.

An ensemble approach, with movement and physicality, are Youth Theatre strengths, the latter especially effective in the black, wraithlike figures of the wind, with their elongated white masks and ghostly faces.

The production again included original music, played by Daniel Morton, Clarisse Loughrey and Rachael Brooks. Haunting and sometimes eerie, it gave the production an added dimension.

Adapted and smartly directed by Amy and Tony Trigwell-Jones, The Wind Tamer is atmospherically lit, with strong effects.

It features superb costuming by Rhia Whitnell and a very clever set designed by Jim Patterson.

A central revolving stair with a faux rising balustrade suggested upstairs and downstairs, the family home and the world outside, the mental and physical space between the forces of evil and the family battling against them.

Once again, the Youth Theatre is heading for the Edinburgh Fringe - for its 13th consecutive year. There can be very few young theatre groups in the country with such a fantastic record.

The fact that there are no auditions or membership restrictions makes its achievements even more extraordinary.

Shining Lights

Next production

The Ash Girl, 22nd to 23rd December, 7:45 at New Greenham Arts
By Timberlake Wertenbaker. When an invitation to The Ball arrives at the Ash Girl's house, from Prince Amir, she can't bring herself to believe that she, like her sisters, can go. With her mother dead and her father away, she must learn to fight the monsters that have slithered their way into her heart and mind.

Last production

Hotel, 8th August 2009, at New Greenham Arts
As part of their tenth birthday celebrations former members of Shining Lights take a break from touring, training and teaching for a one off performance of Caryl Churchill's play. Over the past ten years Shining Lights Youth Theatre (resistant at New Greenham Arts) have worked with young people across West Berkshire to create an environment where young people feel comfortable and learn through positive experiences, constantly pushing the boundaries of youth theatre and always aiming to cover new and interesting ground.

Review of Hotel

8th August 2009.

From the Newbury Weekly News.

Hotel reunion for actors

Shining Lights: Hotel, at New Greenham Arts, on Saturday, August 8

Checking into a hotel room gives you the powerful release of anonymity, yet the interweaving stories in Caryl Churchill's Hotel gave the audience at New Greenham Arts an insight into something much deeper. Portrayed by the Shining Lights' cast, seven seemingly separate predicaments were interwoven with engaging ensemble work and enthusiasm.

We caught only snippets of the lives of a couple (Lucy Butler, Carl Stallwood) having an affair, two gay men (Alec Hopkins, Tom Harland) struggling to come to terms with their relationship, a business woman (Charlotte Allen) apart from her loved ones, and a person seemingly obsessed with birds (Jessica Welch) - and had to make our own decisions about the outcomes.

The themes were loss and disappearance, something that was conveyed effectively from the outset by the stunning set design.

It's hard to believe that Shining Lights have been working with young people for 10 years now, regularly impressing audiences with outstanding productions.

For Hotel, 10 years of company members came together to rehearse and perform the play in just one week, culminating with the performance on Saturday night.

The play tells the story of seven couples occupying the same hotel on the same night, with an overriding narrative arc of a lost diary tying together each of the scenarios.

The cast shared the stage for the duration of the play, and used the space well, effectively portraying not only that they were in separate hotel rooms but also the interweaving nature of their tales and the claustrophobic feel of so many lives being lived in one building. Praise must go to Pete Watt's direction for this atmospheric achievement.

As well as the familiar rituals that go with every hotel stay - channel surfing, coffee drinking, being disturbed by the arguments and drunken caterwauling of other guests - there were also some moments that jarred with the realism of the piece.

For instance, a very impressive ghost (Sophie Hicklin) popped up out of nowhere, projected onto a screen with a haunting vocal refrain, and for some reason all the hotel guests were far more modest than most of us in reality, retiring to the bathroom to change and wearing more clothes to sleep in than they had been wearing that day.

Hotel was originally written and produced as a jazz opera, and this was apparent through the melodic feel of the piece. Carl Stallwood began the show with a mesmerising rendition of New York State of Mind and the repeated refrains, pauses and songlike interjections of the French couple (Marc Godfrey and Aine McGarvey) gave a certain musicality to the evening. The violence of the drunk couple (Abi Preston, Neil Edlin) counterpointed beautifully the indifference of the US man (James Elliott) to his long-suffering wife (a haunting performance from Katie Hartley-Kane).

At times it felt as if there could have been more urgency to the proceedings, with the conversations not quite overlapping as they should, which would have given the play more of a polished outcome.

One of the nicest parts of the evening, however, was reading the company biographies in the programme. It's great to see how many happy memories Shining Lights have given cast members past and present, but also how successful each of them have become in their own fields. Shining Lights surely gives as much delight and enjoyment to their cast as they do to their audience.

JENNIFER COLLINS

About Shining Lights

Shining Lights is a voluntary organisation with charitable status through BAYP (Berkshire Association of Young People) and currently the skills based youth theatre for The Corn Exchange, Newbury. We do not regard ourselves as a youth theatre, more as a training ground for young people to learn skills that will help in auditions at drama schools and to give the self-confidence to make a mark on the world. Shining Lights looks to provide opportunities for young people that they would not find in other youth theatres. We do not compete with other youth theatres because we are different. We aspire to provide drama that is challenging and interesting for our members and their audiences. Past productions include Equus by Peter Shaffer, This is a Chair by Caryl Churchill and Woyzeck by George Buchner. There is a professional attitude that stems from the management of the company right thought to each and every member.

The company rehearse every Thursday from 6-9pm at The Corn Exchange. For more information on Shining Lights visit the Shining Lights website www.shininglightsyouththeatre.com or contact Artistic Director Pete Watt or Company Manager Melanie Watt on 01635 826496 or email .

Previous productions

Hotel, 8th August 2009, at New Greenham Arts
Medea, 21st to 22nd July 2009 at New Greenham Arts. See the review in the Archive.
Beauty and the Beast, 20th to 21st January 2009, at New Greenham Arts
The Roses of Eyam, 14th to 15th July 2008, at New Greenham Arts. See the review in the Archive.
The Coming of the Kings, 17th and 19th December 2007
Grimm Tales, 23rd to 24th April 2007, at New Greenham Arts
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, 22nd to 23rd February 2005, at New Greenham Arts
In the Shadow of the Cross, 7th April 2004 at St Nicolas' Church. See the review in the Archive.
Arabian Nights, 12th to 13th December 2003, at New Greenham Arts. See the review and pictures in the Archive.
Cabaret, 12th to 14th June 2003, at New Greenham Arts. See the review in the Archive.
Salome, 24th to 25 January 2003, at New Greenham Arts. See the review in the Archive.
4:48 Psychosis, 2nd September 2002, at New Greenham Arts. See the review in the Archive.
Alcestis, 19th March 2002 at New Greenham Arts
Woyzeck, 14th June 2001 at Kennet School. See the review in the Archive.
This is a Chair, 23rd November 2000 at Newbury Corn Exchange. See the review in the Archive.
Equus, 23rd to 24th July 2000. See the review in the Archive.
Alcestis, 19th March 2002.

Teenage Dramas

The Newbury Weekly News previewed this new group:

Lauraine Leigh began teaching drama in Newbury 12 years ago and after a period living in London, has returned to the town. She now works as a dramatherapist and part-time consultant, services which schools in East London and Slough buy in, including from Behaviour Support Services, mainly working with children who are in trouble at school often because they have difficult behaviour. This includes children with or without special needs, some who have suffered bereavement, some who've got into fights, some who've bullied or been bullied, and kids who lack self-esteem.

She's looking to start up an after-school ad hoc teenagers' group called 'Teenage Dramas' after Christmas, based in the Carnegie Room, at Newbury library, which she says "is a nice space, a safe atmosphere".

Using circles, drama games, freezeframes, role-play and role-reversal, the sessions will be aimed at raising self-esteem, to help any young people feel comfortable and confident in themselves, their ideas and their creativity.

Lauraine assures potential participants that "You don't have to be able to act. This isn't about making you feel nervous, it's about helping you feel strong. We'll use your ideas to make up stories: happy ones, sad ones, stories where people get hurt or bullied, and stories which we can laugh at."

"It's about being together and accepting each other, she explains, "and most importantly, it's about having fun together."

"We work with two important boundaries: you can say 'pass' and no put-downs". She maintains adolescence is a time of 'special needs'. The group is for any teenager of the right age.

Lauraine will also be using her skills as a dramatherapist in a separate support group for parents and carers of children and teenagers by bringing metaphor, drama and story as a tool for working with feelings.

To find out more about her sessions, ring Lauraine on (01635) 45011.

The Watermill Youth Theatre / Young Company

Next production

Lay Yout Sleeping Head, 18th to 21st November
The Watermill Young Company return with a new work from Ciaran McConville, a young playwright of note. His most recent play Snowbound, seen last year in the West End, was a considerable success. Full of insight, sadness and gentle humour, his new play, forms part of The Watermill’s ongoing drive to find, and give opportunity to, new theatrical talent. For seventy years, three generations of the same family have shared a farm on the Somerset Levels. Time slips between the generations as the world turns and something of the truth of love, betrayal, loss and hope is revealed. Director Ade Morris said ’I chose the play because the quality of the writing just leapt off the page, Ciaran is a naturally talented writer, with one play, Snowbound, in print already, I am sure a very busy future. The play speaks on several levels to a contemporary rural audience, professional people, people with a background in a much more traditional Englishness - the England of orchards and farms and working the land itself, turning the soil and renewing life like a family renews and evolves - and that's what this piece is all about, a family, troubled complicated and joyous like any family.... Rather like the Watermill family really and certainly like our audiences.’ ‘There are twenty young people involved in the piece, eighteen on stage, with ages ranging from sixteen to twenty-six. A very new group of talented individuals all hungry to follow in the illustrious footsteps of what has become a much admired theatre company in its own right. The Watermill Young Company now has a much deserved reputation as a leading young people's theatre company - specialising in new writing. As ever the group are a delight to work with, keen to experiment, to learn and to communicate this touching and resonant play’.

Last production

Around the World in 80 Days, 6th to 10th May 2009.

This is from the Newbury Weekly News.

Full speed ahead

Youth theatre director makes her mark in adventurous quest

The Watermill Youth Group: Around the World in 80 Days, at The Watermill, from Wednesday, May 6 to Sunday, May 10

The Watermill's senior and mix youth theatres' production of Around The World In 80 Days was skilfully retold by this young, talented company in an energetic full-throttle performance. Directed with aplomb by Beth Flintoff, in her debut role, this was a highly inventive production.

Adapted from the Jules Verne book by Robin Belfield, this version kept very close to the original story. Phileas Fogg, splendidly played by Jak Ford-Lane, bet half his fortune with members of the Reform Club that he could travel around the world in 80 days or less.

He embarked on this adventurous quest with his valet Passepartout, a stunning performance from Elsa Leuty, whose French accent would have been at home in the television series 'Allo 'Allo.

Christopher Evans was the determined detective Inspector Fix who stoically followed Fogg, believing him to be a bank robber. The large ensemble, too many to name, played a myriad of roles with zest and commitment.

Their journey took them to France and then a balloon flight to Egypt, which was cleverly staged. The globetrotting story continued in India with a speeding train precariously trying to cross a collapsing bridge, with some hilarious results. Matt Courtney was excellent as Sir Francis Cromarty, who gave a captivating performance with a lovely upper-class accent.

The arrival of an elephant on stage was a great piece of comic invention as the intrepid explorers crossed India. Their journey was interrupted as they rescued Aouda - a touching performance by Yasmeen Sheperia - from being sacrificed on a funeral pyre. The audience went outside to the garden to witness the dramatic rescue.

Other adventures included a sled ride over ice and a full blown Indian attack in America and, finally, a sea voyage back to Liverpool during which the ship's superstructure was used as fuel.

Fogg finally made it back to England believing that he had lost his bet, but forgot that he had gained a day since he was travelling East and made it back to the Reform Club with seconds to spare.

James Lewis' multi-level set and Nick Flintoff 's dramatic lighting perfectly complemented this hugely enjoyable play.

Bravo.

ROBIN STRAPP

Who

The youth theatre meets on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. The group devises its own work and works with the professional production team to produce main house youth theatre shows.

There are three groups, for 6-11, 11-15 and 16 to early 20s. For more information, contact Ade Morris on 01635 45834.

Previous productions

The Sirens' Call, 19th to 22nd November 2008
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 21st to 24th May 2008. See the review in the archive.
¡Donkey Hoo-Ha!, 30th May to 2nd June 2007. See the review in the archive.
Mary Kelly's Bed, 1st to 4th November 2006. See the review in the archive.
The Gilded Lilies, 26th to 29th October 2005. See the review in the archive.
The Odyssey, 4th to 7th May 2005. See the review in the archive.
Hope Springs, 14th to 17th July 2004. See the review in the archive.
Wallride, 29th October to 1st November 2003. See the review in the archive.
Accelerate, 9th to 12th July 2003. See the review in the archive.
Landmines and Chewing Gum, 20th to 23rd November 2002. See the review in the archive.
Fen, 6th to 9th February 2002. See the review in the archive.
Walk in the Shadow, 25th to 28th July 2001. See the review in the archive.
Dragon's Teeth, 22nd to 25th November 2000. See the review in the archive.

Abdabs Youth Theatre at Witney

Just outside our area (north west of Oxford); their web site is www.abdabs-yt.co.uk.

Hungerford Young Performers, Children's Theatre and Youth Theatre

The Community of Hungerford, who stage an annual musical (the Town Show) each year, have three groups for young people. The Hungerford Young Performers (ages 6 to 8 years), The Hungerford Children's Theatre (ages 9 to 13 years) and The Hungerford Youth Theatre (ages 14 to 21 years). All these groups meet in the John O' Gaunt Youth & Community Centre.

New members are always welcome. More information can be obtained from our website www.hungerfordtheatrecompany.co.uk or by e-mailing our membership secretary:

Last productions

Young Performers: The Fate of King Minos, 28th March 2009
When fate is decided by the gods one would hope they’d take it more seriously than a game of snap. Unfortunately for King Minos this is not the case. This play, written specifically for the Young Performers by Hoffi Munt, includes several well-known Greek myths including that of Theseus and the Minotaur and it gives both boys and girls the chance to be gods, heroes, inventors and kings.

Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, 5th July 2008
The Children’s Theatre performed Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, 'Roald Dahl's glittering, galloping musical' - (based on his Revolting Rhyme). This was a delightful and amusing twist on a traditional tale that the children and the audiences enjoyed immensely.

Previous productions

Young Performers: Beowulf, 29th March 2008
Children’s Theatre: Romeo and Juliet the Musical, 7th July 2007
Youth Theatre: Two Short Socks, 6th July 2007
Young Performers: Tattybogle, 17th March 2007
Young Performers: The Selfish Giant, July 2006
Children's Theatre: Scheherazade, Tales of Arabian Nights, July 2006
Children's Theatre: Alice, 2005
Youth Theatre: Ritual For Dolls, 8th July 2005
Youth Theatre: The Gut Girls, 6th to 7th June 2005
Young Performers: The Piper, Easter 2005
Children's Theatre: Cinderella, 2004
Young Performers: Hoodwinked, July 2004
Youth Theatre: Daisy Pulls It Off, 22nd to 23rd July 2004
Children's Theatre: Card Play, 19th to 20th July 2004
Youth Theatre: Once a Catholic, 8th and 9th July 2003
Young Performers: Whoops -a- Daisy Angel, 16th December 2002
Children's Theatre: The Spell of Sleeping Beauty 12-13 July 2002
Youth Theatre: You Me and Mrs Jones 12-13 July 2002.

Whippersnapper

Whippersnapper is a Wantage based youth theatre company whose aim is to give teenagers with a love of theatre the opportunity to involve themselves in the nitty-gritty of putting on plays in as professional a way as possible. The organiser of this group is Margaret Bateman, 01235 762992.

Next production

A Tale of Two Cities, 4th to 6th November, 19:30, at Lains Barn, Wantage
A Domino Players production.
By Charles Dickens, adapted by Matthew Francis. Set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, it depicts the plight of the French peasantry under the oppression of the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, the corresponding brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution, and a number of unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same time period (hence the work's title). It follows the lives of several protagonists through these events, most notably Charles Darnay, a French once-aristocrat who falls victim to the indiscriminate wrath of the revolution despite his virtuous nature, and Sydney Carton, a dissipated British barrister who endeavours to redeem his ill-spent life out of love for Darnay's wife, Lucie Manette. Tickets £8 and £7 concessions.

Previous productions

The Accrington Pals, 21st June 2009, at Blue Boar Barn, Newbury Street, Wantage
By Peter Whelan. A funny, moving account of life (and death) in the First World War.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, 21st June 2008, at Wantage Civic Hall
On Midsummer Night, 21st June, the company will bring its ingenuity and exuberance to Wantage Civic Hall for a one off performance of (what else?) A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. The space will be transformed by youthful sleight of hand into a woodland glade peopled by trouble making fairies, confused lovers and an ambitious, if less than skilful, troupe of village thespians.

The Musical Youth Company of Oxford

We produce and perform high quality shows and concerts that entertain audiences throughout Oxfordshire and beyond, organise summer camps, social events, music and theatre workshops and run our very own "Oscars" event.

We currently rehearse every Wednesday evenings at Summertown United Reform Church and most Monday evenings at Marston United Reform Church from 7.30 pm. Venues for rehearsals are subject to change.

Our web site is at www.myco.org.uk.

Oxford Playhouse

For details of youth events, see the Oxford Playhouse web site.

Oxford Youth Theatre (Pegasus)

Oxford Youth Theatre is open to anyone between the ages of 10 to 25. Membership costs £20 per year and there are no auditions. Make sure you're on the mailing list to receive details of projects by contacting Yasmin Sidhwa, Louise Barrett or calling 01865 792209. Also see the web site at www.pegasustheatre.org.uk.

Starmaker

Last production

Annie, 12th to 16th October 2004, at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell
Based on the cartoon strip Little Orphan Annie it was translated into a musical by Martin Charnin. The musical Annie tells a Depression-era rags-to-riches story of an eleven-year-old orphan who yearns to escape from the orphanage run by the mean-spirited Miss Hannigan. When Daddy Warbucks decides to adopt Annie, her dream comes true! Songs include Tomorrow, We'd Like To Thank You, Little Girls, I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here, Easy Street, You Won't Be An Orphan For Long, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile and Annie. A musical treat for the whole family.

Previous productions

Once a Catholic, 22nd to 26th June 2004, at Studio Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell

Songs from the Musicals - Act Two, 8th May 2004, at Bearwood Theatre, Winnersh
Pirates of Penzance (Broadway version), 2nd to 6th March 2004, at the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell.

See our web site at www.starmakeruk.org. We are totally dedicated to the Youth Theatre Scene and not an "attachment" to an Adult Society. We have had a large number of members go onto various performing arts colleges all over the country and subsequently onto some major shows / films / TV etc. Our most famous "graduate" was Kate Winslett.

The main rehearsals are in Reading in the Avenue School not far from Madejski Stadium (Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays). The various Schools (Easter, Summer, SPACE) are held all over the Reading area. The major (and some Minor) performances are at the Wilde Theatre at
Bracknell.

Over the past 15 years, Starmaker have staged over 60 productions at venues including: The Hexagon, Reading; The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell; Kenton Theatre, Henley-On-Thames; Corn Exchange, Newbury; The Fulcrum, Slough; Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead; Shinfield Theatre, Reading; and The Desborough Suite, Maidenhead.