[meerkat]

Thought I would flag up the Youth Music Theatre summer productions- I'm hoping to be able to get to at least 3 of them...........................



"This Summer, we'll be staging eight more new musicals at venues around the UK, featuring some of the country's most talented young performers and musicians who auditioned earlier this year. Here's a preview of the shows - click the title of each show for more details, company lists and booking details"

Loserville – The Musical
South Hill Arts Centre, Bracknell
20 - 22 August 2009[/size]

Michael Dork is 17. They call him nerd, geek, slacker. Socially marginalised by the entire school and constantly picked on by Eddie, the coolest boy in school, Michael is desperate to find his ticket outta Loserville. But when stunning new girl Holly arrives, Michael is introduced to a whole new world of cool...

A Winter's Tale
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
19 - 22 August 2009

Shakespeare's classic tale of jealousy, loss, love and reconciliation is given a magical reworking by YMT this summer, with music by award-winning composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall.

The Chosen Room
Stramillis College Theatre, Belfast
7 - 8 August 2009

Set in a futuristic social networking fantasy world, the mysterious Vicki Green selects the ten most eccentric companions for her Chosen Room. But who is the tall dark handsome stranger walking through her virtual door?

Peter Pan
Aberdeen International Youth Festival
2 - 3 August 2009

This magical tale returns to its powerful and magical roots and re-invents itself for the 21st century - not a pantomime or bedtime story but an unforgettable adventure that takes us from the ordinary to the extraordinary...


According to Brian Haw...
Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
25 - 26 August 2009

For over seven years, Brian Haw has remained a permanent thorn in the side of the British Government, camped out in Parliament Square opposite the House of Commons, protesting against war and foreign policy. But who is the real person behind the headlines?


Fool's Gold
Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
6 - 7 August 2009

Love, revenge and alchemy intermix in this dark and mysterious new musical, produced inthe tradition of commeddia dell'arte.

The Watchers
Bradford Playhouse
14 - 15 August 2009

"Remember, be home before curfew and do not speak to the Watchers!"
The Watchers follows a group of teenagers thrown into a world of unanswered questions, strange occurences, myths, and - the Watchers!


Eight
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
14 - 15 August 2009

A group of 36 unique performers will look at their own futures, their lives, their world - and express them in advanced performance styles. Where will they be in the future? The same group will be invited to return in eight years time to see how accurate their own predictions were...

[meerkat]

Managed to see 3 out of the 8- and they were well worth the mileage involved!

I enjoy going to see professional fringe,west end and regional productions but I also get a special thrill from amateur productions. As much as I like seeing seasoned experienced " theatre greats"-there is something unique about watching the raw burgeoning talent of young people on the threshold of careers in performing arts.
I have been to drama school graduate showcases , local Amdram and operatic societies etc before but this was my first year ( of many I have decided) of YMT productions

Loserville – The Musical
South Hill Arts Centre, Bracknell

This was written by Elliot Davis ( Best Friends and Butterflies, Stepping Out Musical) and former Busted boyband member James Bourne
It is hoping to transfer to the West End next year.
I personally think it will need some polishing first but there are plenty of teenagers who will enjoy it. It is also amusing for those like me who can remember those early days of computers. It will obviously attract computer geeks, Trekkies and Star Wars fans. It is a bit of a mixture in some ways of Spring Awakening, Zanna Don't and High School Musical.
I wish the transfer a success and will be there to watch it again, next time trying to recognise even more of all the running Star Wars references.
I particurlarly liked the lighting design and the originality of the "opening credits"

A Winter's Tale
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

The music was by Howard Goodall and much more to my personal taste than the rocky teen style of Loserville. I would love the soundtrack to this. I was unfamiliar with the story but it encouraged me to read it afterwards so thats a measure of its success I think. Once again I was impressed with the young people and would definitely see it again if it was on tour.

Eight
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

This was totally different from the other two as it was site specific, done in a promenade style so we followed them round the grounds just as torrential rain came down so it was very memorable!
The music was composed by Conor Mitchell but the lyrics, script and choreography was created by the young women themselves.
They showed maturity and creativity throughout the production and I will be fascinated to return in eight years time to see what they have made of their lives. I can still see their haunting faces at the windows!

Congratulations to all involved.

By the way one of the patrons of YMT.Uk Rob Brydon is currently heading up the promotion- Give 5- Keep Theatre Alive