It's 25 years and counting for a popular youth theatre group

By akerr

"W E TRY to get young people involved and give them as much experience as we can," said Oliver Rowe chairman and musical director of Lichfield Garrick Youth Theatre.

"We see some of them come at the age of 12 with a little sprig of personality and five years later they are playing a lead role, dancing and singing at the top of their voices."

LGYT is vitally important because it provides an opportunity for our city's young performers to act, dance and sing.

For 25 years the group has produced plays and musicals of an increasingly high standard.

Just last year the Mercury received letters from members of the community who had been to see LGYT's production of Rent who marvelled at what they had seen.

Words don't really do justice to some of the performances given by city youngsters in recent years.

But fortunately Lichfield folk have plenty of opportunity to see for themselves what this theatre group can do in this its 25th year.

Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown will be performed in the Garrick Studio from Tuesday March 9 to Saturday March 13.

The audience will be transported from the deck of a 1492 sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue to meet a startling array of characters.

Ranging from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams and a soulless marriage, these are stories and characters of today – Songs For A New World.

"We were thinking about different things we could do to celebrate this year," Oliver explained.

"We wanted to involve people who have been with the youth theatre in the past and raise money for charity.

"LYGT is non-profit but we have to make money to continue.

"We have been going for 25 years – this is our chance to give something back and all the money will go to St Giles Hospice.

"We hope to raise £5,000 if the shows sell out."

There are four performers in the show – Oliver himself and Aimee Berwick, both former youth theatre members.

Their last performances were in West Side Story in November 1999 as Anita and Tony respectively.

The two current LGYT members set to perform are Dan Breakwell, aged 19, and Lily Somerville,18, who both played lead roles in Rent.

Next up for the group is a run of West Side Story which will be performed from Tuesday, April 6 to Saturday, April 10.

"West Side Story is a classic show," said Oliver.

"We have a good mix of performers and it's a real challenge."

A legendary musical West Side Story sees Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet transported to mid-twentieth century Manhattan with unforgettable songs such as America and Somewhere.

The LGYT production is a great example of how people are brought through and given a chance to achieve.

Nineteen-year-old Jessica Lambert is to choreograph the entire production.

This is the first show she has been responsible for.

An accomplished dancer herself, she will bring the skills learned at Bojangles Dance in Lichfield to the show.

LGYT is also planning a show in October but it is yet to be decided upon.

The theatre group's origins date back to 1985 when local drama stalwart Pat Gibson, supported by Lichfield District Arts Association, put on a production of Grease at the Arts Centre.

The next ten years featured 30 productions but the closure of the Arts Centre brought about a challenging period.

The Civic Hall provided a temporary home and there was a production in the Cathedral before the opening of the Garrick offered a regular performing venue to LGYT under the watchful eye of Caroline Kerr.

"It started out as 'let's give young people something to do' through Pat Gibson," explained Oliver.

"The discipline that Caroline Kerr brought in encourages us to make the productions as good, as professional, as we can."

LYGT has 50 members – this is the limit to make the group manageable.

But it is keen to encourage, 'to provide the means for young people to take part in professional theatre activities'.

"LYGT is not elitist," said Oliver.

"We don't turn people away because they can't afford it.

"It brings everything together, acting, production, make-up, music – the whole process."

And the young performers have excellent support in Matt Garfield overseeing the stage and Stephen Rainsford with his lighting skills.

Oliver says there a numerous benefits to getting involved with LGYT.

"All the challenges you have as a teenager – the youth theatre is an escape," he said.

"You get to meet people from other schools and different backgrounds.

"It is a great confidence booster and you members make friends for life."

LGYT rehearses all year round at Scotch Orchard School on Wednesdays and Holy Cross Hall on Sundays.

Membership is open to youngsters aged 11 and there is an upper limit of 21.

Oliver is hoping Lichfield people will come along and see the results of all their hard work.

He said that LGYT does get support from the community but because the group is self-funded it is important to sell tickets.

"People assume we are funded by the Garrick or the district council but we are not.

"Councillor Terry Finn very kindly gave us a donation towards the production of Rent but our budget for each show is around £30,000.

"The money that we have comes through ticket sales.

"Those who have never been to a LGYT show before will see a group of young people, supported by professionals, and the best performance that we can give."

Tickets for Songs For A New World and West Side Story can be booked at the Lichfield Garrick box office on 01543 412121 or online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com