High Wycombe
On 7 January, the Swan Theatre held its very first rehearsal for this year’s Spring Youth Project, Les Misérables School Edition! The project consists of 70 performers and 7 backstage crew who will work with the Tech team taking on technical, stage management, and costume roles. At the first rehearsal, performers learned the classics “At the End of the Day” and “Master of the House”, and the backstage participants had a fantastic all-day lighting workshop with Wycombe Swan technicians Sky and Michael. 

• The Swan has offered 11 bursaries for the project for those unable to afford the fee. 
• The show will be performed in the round in the beautiful Old Town Hall. 
• Performances take place on 17 and 18 February. 

Bromley
Last month, Churchill Theatre Bromley hosted a bespoke performance of Puss in Boots for the Glebe Special School, which was attended by 57 students aged 12-15, and 17 members of staff. Gabi Barham, Head of Provision at Glebe Special School, said: “It was a wonderful, fun packed show that all our students absolutely loved. A totally unique opportunity for them, we loved the songs and hilarious characters in a show that was full of creativity and kindness. Thank you to the cast and the staff at the Churchill for making this happen for us.” 

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Crewe
In 2023, Crewe Lyceum Youth Theatre experienced remarkable expansion, reaching full capacity for both Junior and Senior groups. This prompted the decision to extend, resulting in these new groups : Tiny Company (ages 5-7), Mini Company (ages 8-10), Junior Company (ages 11-13) and Senior Company (ages 14-18). Last term concluded with 44 members, and as we embark on the new 2024 term, our membership has surged to 89! We’re thrilled for the upcoming year and eager to witness the creative endeavours they bring to life. 

Hayes
Compass Collective once again visited the Beck Theatre to work with 17 young people based in Hillingdon to work on a fun four-day project. Supported by videographer Victor Rios and Brunel University, the group created a dramatic short film, showcasing their creativity, performance and storytelling abilities, and the participants formed new skills and friendships to bring with them into the new year! Compass Collective are a charity supporting the integration of young refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK through the arts through theatre, music and film projects and arts-led professional development programmes to help build resilience and integrate into the UK.  

Southend
Southend Theatres’ Creative Learning got in the Christmas spirit recently for a day of Merry Musical Christmas Workshops. Young people aged 6 – 19 joined us in the Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre, for our fun-filled and festive musical theatre masterclasses, led by a local industry expert. We were also delighted to run Children’s Christmas Storytelling the day before our workshops, in the Cliffs Pavilion Foyer, for an audience of families with young children.  

In The Palace Theatre’s Summer Youth Project of School of Rock, 16-year-old Edward Flynn-Haddon, played the leading role of Dewy Fynn and blew us all away with his outstanding six performances in the role. School of Rock was Ed’s second project with us here, and off the back of an incredible SYP run, he took an amazing leap to auditioning for and being cast in the production of BatBoy The Musical at the London Palladium. We could not be prouder of Ed and all he has achieved so far – congratulations!  

Swindon
Swindon Theatre’s newest Memory Café volunteer is Summer Youth Project participant, Harri. Harri has been involved in SYP for several years and is currently training to be a nurse, specialising in care of the elderly and neurodevelopmental care. Harri was greatly received by the visitors, and we are happy to have him as part of the team! 

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Swindon Theatre is hosting its first Celebration of Youth to raise funds for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. With the theme ‘Your Voice Matters’, the team at the Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre have invited all staff and volunteers, SYP participants and two resident charities to take part in the inaugural event. REACH Inclusive Arts (a disability arts charity) and PRIME Theatre (a youth theatre charity) have been based in the Wyvern theatre since the 80’s and this will be a wonderful opportunity to come together to address a highly important topic.