LGYT is a bold, welcoming and inclusive theatre company for young people aged 8–18. Open to all, it nurtures creativity while building essential life skills including communication, empathy and confidence – all within a supportive environment where lasting friendships are forged.
Running year‑round at The Leeds Grand, weekly sessions equip members with a wide range of theatre‑making and creative skills, culminating in a fully staged public summer production. Each performance is a celebration of the young people’s talent, growth and collective achievement, showcasing everything they have developed on and off the stage.
Images of last year’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Feedback from the young people includes:
“I love acting and I don’t know what I would do without [LGYT]. I also can’t imagine another way to fill my Saturday afternoons.”
“I have been at LGYT longer than I haven’t been, so it’s become fully integrated into my routine. I also just love performance and everyone’s company.”
“LGYT makes me feel happy because I enjoy doing drama, dancing and musicals with my friends.”
Images of last year’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast stage version is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature that includes all the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The ‘tale as old as time’ tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning, concludes: “I always look forward to seeing the summer productions as they celebrate the journey each young person has been on throughout the year. Our training programmes focus on developing skills, confidence and a sense of community and it’s a delight to see all this come together on the stage at City Varieties.
“Alongside Technical Theatre training, placements and school-aged work experience projects, it’s vital that we provide inclusive training pathways to support the next generation of creatives, whether they go on to tread the boards or work behind the scenes.”
Find out more at Leeds Grand Youth Theatre
Images supplied
