Wonderful week for Newbury Youth Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe
It’s truly amazing to see all of these people be able to just enjoy themselves on stage and it’s even more amazing to be one of those people myself.’ The words of 12-year-old Newbury Youth Theatre actor Callie, performing in their show The Fantastical World of My Uncle Arly - her first time performing with the company in Edinburgh. For the young actors of NYT the Fringe festival is a transformative experience: This is the second letter home from artistic director ROBIN STRAPP.
It was a wonderful week for Newbury Youth Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe. They worked so hard each day on the Royal Mile talking about the show to passers-by and gave away 5,000 fliers to build an audience for their show The Fantastical World of My Uncle Arly.
Their selling techniques attracted many photographers and even an interview for a channel by a visitor from Washington DC.
Living in student flats at Queen Margaret’s University has been fun and they have all grown together as a team, sharing experiences and enjoying the Festival atmosphere. The excellent pastoral care team, Wren, Grace and Stacey, have been superb at looking after the company’s care and safeguarding as well as cooking some creative meals.
Returning to be part of this team Stacey told me: “As an NYT alumni back at the Fringe as pastoral support after 10 years it has been amazing to get to know the wonderful members of this year’s cast and to experience Edinburgh as an adult.
“The Fringe really is a unique experience and NYT are certainly the best people to experience it with.”
Every day started with a daily briefing where notes are given on the previous day’s show to tweak their performances and they shared their experiences about other shows they had seen and the vital supply check as the 20 strong company get through a lot of cereal and toilet paper that needs replacing.
The company did yoga warm ups before the performances in the meadows, a large grassy park in the centre of the city and the weather was very kind to us, with the usual Scottish sunshine, wind and some rain all in the same day.
Visits to Edinburgh’s wonderful museum was a hit, with several members going back twice. As a group they have seen Billy’s 44th Birthday, a hilarious comedy puppet show told without words at the cavernous Underbelly. They also saw and were challenged by The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return - a slice of life growing up in Luton, at the demonstration room Summerhall which used to be the veterinary college.
Other recommendations they made to see included the five star Emu Wars, from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, an absolute hilarious musical and My Last Two Braincells performed by two former members of the youth theatre which also received a five-star review.
The staff at our venue, Paradise at Augustines, are all volunteers and are wonderful ambassadors’ for this organisation. Amber commented: “This is my third year coming to the Edinburgh Fringe and it’s been brilliant. This our second time performing at Paradise Green and we love the venue. It’s a perfectly sized intimate space for us to tell our story with confidence and enthusiasm.”
Returning cast members Max and Mille said: “Coming up to the Fringe has been the best, amazing experience and we both feel so grateful to have experienced it for the third time. We will treasure this forever.
Isabel said: “Every year the Fringe brings something different but the energy is still the same. The opportunity is incredible, the shows are unique and I’m glad that the cast I’m experiencing it with is so lovely.
Perhaps the whole experience can be summed up by 12-year-old Callie, who told me: “This is my first Edinburgh Fringe experience and the stunning, unique and iconic atmosphere blows my mind.
“The whole surroundings completely filled with colour and joy and there’s so many adventures to be had. With every step I take around this city, the air is filled with the enthusiasm each of these spectacular performers have for their show and it makes it difficult for me not to grin.
“It’s truly amazing to see all of these people be able to just enjoy themselves on stage and it’s even more amazing to be one of those people myself.”
Directors Tony and Amy Trigwell Jones, reflecting on bringing Newbury Youth Theatre to the Fringe, said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is a remarkable place, a coming together of creative people from all over the world. Having the opportunity to contribute to that in our small way is truly a privilege.
“For our young people this is always a transformative experience both in terms of their personal growth and the development of their arts practice.
“The Fringe has changed a lot in the 20 or so years we’ve been doing this, but it remains a fantastically inspiring opportunity for everyone that takes part.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming new members to join us on the journey next year. “
Read the first letter home:
newburytoday.co.uk/lifestyle/praise-for-youth-theatre-at-edinburgh-fringe-9378481/
Visit newburytoday.co.uk/lifestyle/break-a-leg-newbury-youth-theatre-9377279/ for a review of the Newbury preview.
