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Youth Theatre

The Recent Past

Lewes Theatre Club has a long tradition of encouraging young people to be involved in all aspects of bringing a production to the stage.

In the 1960s and 70s Lewes premiered some large cast youth productions written by Anthony Buckeridge (of Jennings novels fame) and directed by Anthony and his wife, Eileen. In the 1980s the Youth Theatre thrived under the guidance of Stella Stone who became Club Director in 1994. Memorable productions from that era include: Jennings Abounding, An Italian Straw Hat and My Lady’s Dress.

Stella was keen to encourage youth members to take part in main stage productions with adult members and during the 1990’s there were many opportunities for integrated productions: The Crucible (1992); The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1993); Daisy Pulls it Off (1994); Our Town (1995); and Nicholas Nickleby (1996).

Alongside the integrated productions the youth group continued to put on their own productions. In 1992 the Youth Group mounted a production of “Little Women” directed by Polly Wiseman (17) all the technical roles and cast were filled by the under 20’s. This was followed by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1995 and Antigone in 1996 directed by Nicola Pellow. Then came an acclaimed Foyer production of Stags and Hens directed by Jenny Knight and this was followed by The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole directed by Mike Turner in 2004.

In 2000 encouraged by Miles Jenner and Joyce Fisher, (Club Director) Pip Henderson set up our current popular Tuesday youth group. For the last 3 years, Daisy McKie has run the Thursday group for younger members. Many of those who have passed through the youth groups have returned to the theatre to act, work backstage, and support the youth group annual presentations. Under Pip and Daisy there have been eight performances, in various locations: on stage, in the foyer, in Lewes Town Hall and last year in the splendour of Pelham House!