Established in 1966 by professional directors Brian Howard and Catherine Robbins, Perth Youth Theatre (PYT) is Scotland’s oldest theatre based youth-theatre company. Over the past half century, it has trained and nurtured thousands of young people, many of whom have gone on to work in theatre, television and film, including Colin McCredie, Perth Theatre Ambassador Ewan McGregor and radio presenter Rhod Sharp.
On Thursday 24 November, more than 150 PYT members and alumni will perform a Gala Concert in Perth Concert Hall in celebration of their 50th anniversary that will end with a balloon drop, cake and party. It will take audiences on a journey through PYT past, present and future, featuring devised performances that include films along with appearances by the new PYT outreach groups from across Perthshire, as well as the unique Perth Autism Youth Theatre.
Scottish actor Colin McCredie who will co- host the event said, “It’s a real honour to be invited back to host the Perth Youth Theatre 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. My career as an actor goes all the way back to my first drama experiences with Perth Youth Theatre back in the 1980s! I know how hard the young people have been working to create what is guaranteed to be a special evening of entertainment.”
For the first time in its history, PYT will have dedicated workshop and rehearsal spaces in Perth Theatre when the restored and redeveloped venue reopens in late 2017. In addition to the auditorium, there will be a new 200-seat Studio Theatre where groups can perform.
Lu Kemp, artistic director of Perth Theatre said, “The PYT 50th Anniversary celebrates 50 years of young people talking and meeting through our theatre, reimagining their space in the world and creating a vision of what the world might look like. PYT has supported the artistic journeys of thousands of young people, our alumni span every walk of life, and we are proud to have many of them coming back to work with us as tutors, directors and young ambassadors. I look forward to seeing them take ownership of their dedicated home in the heart of the new building. The new theatre will be a space where members of our youth theatre will be able collaborate with and influence artists making new work, and take to the stage themselves as confident performers and innovative creators, making theatre by and about young people in Scotland.”
The show is on Thursday 24 November at 7pm in Perth Concert Hall and will include nods to past Perth Youth Theatre productions as well as new elements devised by current members. For tickets and information contact Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621031 visit www.horsecross.co.uk.
£13.50; concessions £11.50 (inc £1.50 booking fee per ticket)
all ticket proceeds will support future PYT projects.