Holly Henshaw, Ben Hills, and LYT Coordinator, Monika Henshaw braved the uncertain weather last weekend to camp at the Big Youth Theatre Festival which is held every year at Gilwell Park in Essex.   Groups from fifty two youth theatres – over eight hundred young people and their leaders - gathered together to enjoy four days of workshops, performances, and social events.   The Festival is organised by the National Association of Youth Theatres which celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary at the Festival with a silver masked ball in the big top.   Holly and Ben, who, at the time of booking were the only LYT members old enough to go, said they both had a fantastic time and can’t wait to go again next year with a bigger group, and perhaps a production too!

The Lyme Youth Theatre Summer School 2007 takes place from 20th to 25th August.   It looks set to be a very exciting week with a variety of workshops with tutors completely new to LYT.   Polly Agg-Manning who works at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter and her sister Harriet will be introducing some new ideas in drama;  there will be singing with Sammy Hurden from Bridport;   a stage combat tutor will be coming from Essex for a workshop;  there will be dancing with Laura Cuschieri from Beat dance company, and David Lockwood, who graduated from Cygnet training theatre last year will be doing a workshop on Doctor Who and Shakespeare!

There are a few places left for the Summer School – please contact the Marine Theatre Office on 01297 442394 or email LYT@marinetheatre.com

LYT continues its programme of classes for members in September when a new class for younger members aged 8-11 will be starting.    LymeArts Trustee and Coordinator of LYT, Monika Henshaw says ‘LYT is growing fast with lots of new members.   Parents have asked us to start a younger group which we are doing, and there are also lots of new projects on the horizon for next year.   Becoming a members costs just £5 and keeps you in touch  – there are newsletters, priority booking for classes, discounts for Marine Theatre events, performance opportunities, and more!’

Monika Henshaw