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The Story of The Young Theatre

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St. Albans Hall front entrance


THE YOUNG THEATRE started life at St. Alban's Church Hall, North Harrow, Middlesex on Sunday 12th January 1964. Founded by Ian R. Wallace, this new group — for young people aged from nine upwards — was originally called The St. Alban's Junior Drama Group and established the concept of being a drama group for young people - run by young people. In 1966 the group was renamed and this all-important concept incorporated into THE YOUNG THEATRE's first written constitution which also set out the group's principal Aims and with the support of its first President, John H. Howden, the group quickly established itself and prospered.

 


On 31st May 1970, THE YOUNG THEATRE expanded when a second group was formed at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire by Ian R. Wallace and Aviva Wiseman. Based at The Burnham Hall (which was off Malthouse Square in the Old Town) and actively supported by its first President, Anne, Lady Burnham, this group also quickly established a reputation for high performance and presentation standards, before moving to the newly created Curzon Centre at Beaconsfield in 1974.

 
The Curzon Centre
The Curzon Centre
 

Unfortunately, the Harrow group, which had moved to the Harrow Arts Centre at Harrow Weald in September 1978, sadly ceased operations in 1983. However The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) continued to maintain its unique concepts and it remained financially independent and entirely self-funding. By the time it closed in 1983 nearly 400 young people had been members of the Harrow group.

 
HarrowArtsCentre1978
Harrow Arts Centre
 

Over the years a number of constitutional changes have been introduced at Beaconsfield to reflect and respond to the changes in the social and educational demands being made on young people, but the group continued to operate that overriding all-important principle, with all executive decisions still remaining in the hands of the members through an Executive Committee, chaired by the Group Director. This committee, which comprises members elected at the Annual General Meeting from across the whole age range of the group, is guided by Mentors, an Artistic Director and a General Manager - both of whom are elected by the membership and have to be aged over 21, but, although both attend the Executive Committee meetings, neither of them have voting rights (!) - and so The Young Theatre remains very much a theatre group for young people - run by young people. Whilst all those involved with The Young Theatre are unpaid and therefore amateur, a totally professional attitude is expected from everyone.

Committees

By January 2020 there have been nearly 1,000 full members at Beaconsfield. Many of those involved in both of the Young Theatre groups went on to have careers in the theatre, film, radio or tv professions. Ex-members are encouraged to remain in close contact with the group and where possible return for the shows and pass on their skills and experience to the next generation of members by becoming a mentor, directing a production, running workshops or just being available to help and advise. Thus “closing the circle” and playing an integral part in the continuing success of The Young Theatre.

Badge
Badge
Badge

Since its formation in 1964, The Young Theatre has regularly premiered original plays and musicals, many of which were written by those directly involved with Young Theatre. It has remained extremely proud of its heritage and the high standards to which it has aspired throughout its existence. Highly successful over the years at local drama festivals, The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) has also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and organised two tours along the South Coast.

British Final Festival Award

It was in 2004, the 40th anniversary year of its formation, that The Young Theatre achieved its biggest success when The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) not only won the All England Theatre Festival (becoming the first youth group to win this competition against adult groups from all over the country), but also then represented England at the British Final Festival of One Act Plays with their production of Ball Boys where, up against adult groups from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, they became the first youth group ever to win the British title. THE YOUNG THEATRE had indeed become “The Best of British”.


The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) dropped “(at Beaconsfield)” in early 2012 but continues there as The Young Theatre. As this Archive holds all the historical information for the long-closed Harrow group as well as for Beaconsfield, this website will still make the distinction when appropriate.

On the occasion of the 50th birthday of the Young Theatre as a whole - 12th January 2014 - we gathered a number of ex-members’ memories and on 1st March there was a Gala Dinner Evening to mark the event.

YT 50
Burnham Trophy Film Festival
YT 50 years in Beaconsfield

Virus In March 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic forced the suspension of weekly meetings and the cancellation, postponement or “furloughing” of all planned rehearsals, productions and events — including Beaconsfield’s scheduled 50th Birthday Gala Evening. However, a positive emerged from this devastating pandemic: the first ever Burnham Trophy Film Festival; appropriately on the theme of A Year To Remember.

Please be reassured that The Young Theatre will be adapting and adjusting as the post-pandemic situation develops and is determined to return alive and well. The group is aiming to go from strength to strength, as always!

As the Covid situation is ongoing as this is being written, please refer to the Furlough page for developing and latest news.


Ian R.Wallace, Archivist and Tim Hill, Webmaster YTArchive, © July 2012 to March 2024, review due 31-May-2021

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The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) - Historical Information and a link to the Beaconsfield Group's own home page with the Box Office for new productions
The Young Theatre (Harrow). Historical Information.
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