A bridge to the stars - national theatre connections

Foreword by Christopher J. Rees - Artistic Director

Taking part in the National Theatre Connections Scheme is a privilege, a delight as well as a challenge. We participated in the first ever year of the scheme way back in 1995. The play was Odon Von Horvath’s Faith, Hope and Charity which was adapted by Christopher Hampton. Over the years the scheme has developed and grown and provides a unique opportunity for thousands of young people across the U.K. This year our regional partner is Bristol Old Vic. We are thrilled and delighted to be performing at one of the most prestigious Theatres in the world. We welcome this opportunity and would like to thank Ian and his team for their warm hospitality, support and leadership. We look forward to July with great enthusiasm.

Llanelli Youth Theatre has never limited itself but has explored a diversity of genres, styles and production spaces. The breadth of works over the past 23 years has been diverse and challenging from German Expression, Naturalism and Realism, to Musical Comedy and Revue. Works have included Albee, Beckett, Chekhov, Ibsen, Pinter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim and Shakespeare as well as devised work and new writing. Spaces have varied from your conventional proscenium arch theatre to a circus tent, streets, parks and even castles.

Whatever the style or genre I believe in making the process organic allowing the young actor to explore and discover the connections that are essential to seeing the bigger picture.

The medium of Drama and Theatre enables the young person to acquire skills for life, as well as giving an insight into the profession. This is Theatre as educator and reformer, creating at grass roots level the opportunities to acquire the necessary skills, and providing a strong base from which to build: individually, in teams, ensembles, organisations and communities. No matter the minority. I have learned that creating a strong base is essential in life and the skills acquired are necessary to life itself.

Many members of LYT have prospered into the profession as Actors, Designers, Technicians, Musicians, Writers, Practitioners, Instructors, Researchers and Directors. “Youth Theatre” is a medium, which can be best used to understand the needs of young people and to deliver the necessary skills that equip them for life. My experience advocates the importance of nurturing such skills, which are transferable to their chosen careers as well as their life’s journey, enhancing the quality of life along their way.

I am committed to exploring new and innovative ways of producing Theatre that is rich and alive, entertaining and informative, relevant and educational, challenging and accessible, while engaging the audience to participate. I would like to think that I have been able to achieve this in my work with the many collaborations I have developed, managed and coordinated.

At the core of my work is the fundamental belief that the theatre needs to constantly evolve and change. This change needs to be at grass roots level, if we are to move forward. That is why I believe that a strong “Arts” community, one that adapts to the needs of that community, is not only necessary, but also vital, for a better society, providing knowledge, understanding and tolerance.

The “Arts” are synonymous with culture, and Governments, local, regional and national, are only beginning to openly acknowledge the contribution that having a strong arts culture can provide. Whether it is arts for arts sake, to engaging with social issues, to the regeneration of communities, towns and cities, to tourism or to education. The Arts make a difference to the quality of life.

We need, however, improved facilities and a leadership both for the Public and the Development of the Arts. A leadership that will demonstrate that the Arts are as necessary as the air we breathe, providing the public with open access to the Arts, providing quality, choice and diversity in an atmosphere which is safe, entertaining, stimulating, challenging and attractive.

I am delighted that both Julia and Gregory, both stalwarts of LYT and members since they were 12 are on board in this production. I am very proud of their achievements and the people they have turned into.

The theatre is not a place to hide from the world in which we live but instead the very place where we discover our true selves.

I hope you enjoy the production.

Best Wishes