| St Marys Youth Theatre have their own website. |
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You can contact the society by writing to The Secretary, |
| There is more background information about SMYT here |
" St. Mary's Youth Theatre was formed in August 1993 by Steve Archdale who was concerned about the increasing problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the teenage community of Garforth. With so little for the youngsters to do, especially in the field of theatre arts and drama, the idea of creating a youth theatre seemed appropriate. A cast of 60+ with ages ranging from 8 to 22 auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all were successful, no one was turned away. The show was rehearsed and performed in 8 weeks to thunderous acclaim in a church hall converted into a Pharaoh's tomb by a local artist. The following week they returned eager to find out what they were doing next. What began as a one-off production became the start of many shows to come. A disastrous fire in 1995 wrecked their headquarters, destroying costumes, props and sets. This could easily have been the end of SMYT but as a result they have pulled together and grown stronger gradually replacing their losses. As members of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild they perform at the Leeds Civic Theatre, mainly musicals (i.e., Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Children of Eden, etc.). The NT Connections gives the group the chance to perform new plays written by the very best writers. Three years ago we were fortunate to perform at the National itself…what an experience! " |
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Spring 2008: SMYT is taking part in New Connections, one of the world’s largest celebrations of youth theatre. NEW CONNECTIONS, produced by the National Theatre and supported by Bank of America, commissions new plays for and about young people from some of the best contemporary playwrights, for performance by schools and youth theatres from all over the UK and Ireland, both in their home venues and at regional partnership theatres. Director Steve Archdale took part in the training weekend which launched New Connections at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. He met and took part in workshops with Jack Thorne, the writer of Burying Your Brother in the Pavement, which he has chosen from the ten plays on offer this year. SMYT will be performing it at Garforth Green Lane Primary School on Thursday 20th March and Friday 21st March, 7.30pm, then at a regional showcase. New Connections culminates at a celebratory Festival in July at the National Theatre in London, where an example of each play is chosen to be performed on the Olivier and Cottesloe stages. more info. |
Past Productions ~ |
| NOVEMBER 28th - DECEMBER 1st 2007 The amateur production of WE WILL ROCK YOU  |
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November 29th to December 2nd. 2006 |
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November 2005 Seymour, an orphan and a nerd, is taken in and given a job by Mr. Mushnik, the owner of a run down Florists in the seedy part of town. Seymour spends his time doing menial tasks and dreaming of the shop assistant, Audrey. One day, just after an eclipse of the Sun, Seymour discovers a strange plant. He buys it and names it Audrey II. While caring for Audrey II, Seymour discovers the plant's rather unique appetite. The plant grows and grows, as does Seymour's infatuation for Audrey, but who will get her first? FEED ME! |
