Author: bart-n-bob

Samuel is in the Spotlight Shows: How to Succeed…, Grease, Oklahoma, Annie, Urinetown, Guys & Dolls, The Humans, Fiddler on the Roof. I’m currently writing this on the plane back to London, where I am in my second year of a bachelor’s degree in Economics at University College London. Although my studies are becoming more challenging and, to my dismay, I’m spending more time in the library than in the pub, I’m really enjoying the whole process. Over the past couple of years, I’ve moved to the other side of the fourth wall, taking on the role of the spectator. Being so close to the West End, I’ve had the chance to see quite a few plays and musicals. A notable highlight was Nicholas Hytner’s…

Happy New Year to all our YATS fans, friends, and supporters. We are very happy to be back and into a busy start to the year. Our workshops are officially back in full swing, and the Musical Theatre Workshop group is currently devising and rehearsing our new Spring Musical! There is also plenty happening behind the scenes too. This week, sealed envelopes were sent to our board members outlining the shortlisted musicals for our Fall spectacular, which they will be voting on very soon. We are also delighted to welcome two interns from Syracuse University who have recently joined the YATS team, they will be with us until the beginning of May. Ava will be supporting our workshops on Wednesdays, and Callan will be helping…

Spread the word! We are looking for three courageous souls to get (more) involved in YATS and help out on our soon-to-be-announced 2026 productions. No prior experience is necessary. What matters most is your enthusiasm, availability, and a good grasp of English and French. 1. Communications Manager This role involves publicizing YATS activities throughout the year. You’ll take photographs and reels during rehearsals and performances, maintain our Instagram feed and other social media platforms, and ensure that news about YATS reaches local English and French-speaking communities, as well as potential audiences in neighboring areas of Germany and further afield. You will build relationships with press, radio, and TV stations, to bolster audiences when ticket sales are underway. Would suit anyone with bags of energy and…

Our Young Actors can’t buy that wonderful feeling of being on stage, to keep in a box and see at their leisure. Indeed, when the final curtain falls, the tears often start. The post-show blues are perfectly normal after six months of pouring heart, energy, and soul into something magical — when suddenly, it’s all over. But there’s something you can do to cheer our young actors up! If you purchased tickets for any performance, you’ll soon receive an email inviting you to rate the show (out of 5 stars) and share a short review — in any language you like. (You’ll get multiple emails if you attended multiple shows.) They will treasure your words of appreciation and it will encourage them to look forward…

It’s official: Oliver! has been a record-breaking success! With just 7 tickets remaining (at the time of writing) for tonight’s performance and tomorrow night completely sold out, this production has drawn the biggest audiences we’ve ever seen in our 12-year history. A huge thank you to everyone who has come out to support our incredible cast! After the final curtain falls tomorrow night, we’ll kick off one of our favorite YATS traditions: the after-show cast party! After dedicating a special copy of the show poster for each other, all members of the cast and backstage crew come together over a big celebratory meal — usually featuring pizza, ice cream, fizzy drinks, and plenty of laughter — to share stories, reflect on their experiences, and, yes,…

The first two performances of YATS’s Oliver! were met with standing ovations by the audience. So, with just three performances remaining, it’s time to consider it for yourself. If you’re planning to come along, Friday night is a fine choice — not just because tickets are still available, but because it’s the perfect opportunity to see the cast full of confidence after the opening shows. That said, regular YATS fans will tell you that the second Saturday performance has a special kind of magic. It’s the fourth show of the five-show run, when the cast are at their most polished. It’s also Alumni Night, when familiar faces from past YATS productions such as Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys & Dolls, Annie, and Grease return…

The wait is over — tonight marks the opening night of Oliver! the Musical. Regular YATS fans will spot plenty of familiar faces on stage, including Pierre, who takes on the role of Fagin this year, who you might remember as the comical Pinocchio in last year’s Shrek the Musical. This year, his portrayal of Fagin is set to be another crowd pleaser (no spoilers!) This year’s production also features 19 young performers taking part in their first-ever YATS show — and they’re so good you can be sure it won’t be their last! Even though we’ve already out-sold our 2024 season, there are still tickets available for tonight’s performance. Don’t miss this chance to share opening night with the YATS family.

Tonight, the YATS cast gathers for the final dress rehearsal of Oliver! Months of hard work, laughter, and late-night rehearsals have led to this moment, and the result is shaping up to be something truly special. Those who saw Shrek the Musical last year will remember Flavia from Lycée Pontonniers whose stunning voice and scene-stealing performance as Donkey brought the house down. This year, she takes center stage again, as Nancy, to deliver a performance that promises to be equally unforgettable. You get the feeling that this is perhaps just the beginning of a remarkable career. Oliver! opens tomorrow night at 8pm — don’t miss it!