Lyme Youth Theatre is celebrating its first birthday as this term draws to a close.   Last weekend LYT presented ‘The Last Laugh’ by Ben Payne at the Marine Theatre.   The play was written for Amnesty International and, although a hilarious comedy, also has a serious message about totalitarian states and prisoners of conscience.   Bobby Bunting, a travelling jokes salesman visits a country where laughter is banned – his adventure, including trial, imprisonment, ‘treatment’, escape and eventually, marriage, are all portrayed in witty detail by the playwright, who was only seventeen when he wrote it.

Parents and friends of the members of LYT have watched work in progress throughout the year and have been very impressed by the growing confidence and skill of the company.  ‘The Last Laugh’ proved that the young people are working hard to realise their full potential and developing into a strong team.  The audiences, although small, were very enthusiastic and full of praise for this first public performance by Lyme Youth Theatre. 

The Company:   Lowell Fachau, Catherine Butler, Ben Hills, Mark Collett, Holly Henshaw,  Charley Souter-Phillips, Chris Garcia, Faye Chaplin, Ellie Benbow, Rebecca Watts, Cara Fachau, Minna Bates, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan, James Jones.   Director:  Alistair Ganley assisted by tutors Pat Brackenbury and Lesley Moss.

Lyme Youth Theatre welcomes new members aged 8-16.  Membership is £5 a year and includes priority booking for classes and workshops and ticket discounts.   Please contact 01297 442394 for details.

Monika Henshaw

26/6/06