Everyone loves Shrek, and thanks to the talented bunch at Launceston Youth Music Theatre (LYMT), audiences can watch the grumpy ogre and fairytale characters in action at Launceston Town Hall later this March.
Launceston Youth Music Theatre’s production of Shrek the Musical - Jr will be performed at Launceston Town Hall on the 26th, 27th and 28th March this year, bringing the lovable and hilarious characters of the hit animated movie series Shrek to town.
Launched in April 2023 by musical theatre wizards Amy Hodgson and Sarah Bradley, LYMT presents an opportunity for young people in the local area to delve into the world of performing arts, whether they’re interested in pursuing a career in the industry in the future, or simply enjoy performing with likeminded people.
Amy told Launceston Life: “I noticed there was a bit of a gap in Launceston for the arts, and so I had the idea to set up a musical theatre group for young people in the area. I’ve got a long history with musical theatre, and I’ve also been a member of Sterts (Theatre, based in Upton Cross) for a long time.”
Amy got in touch with Sarah Bradley, local business owner and director of Popchoir, who was keen to help. Together, they pulled together around 40 students, and spent the first term getting to know the members with fun drama games and singing tasks, which resulted in their very first performances at Launceston Show and the Sterts tour last year.
Now, the theatre group is in the final stages of rehearsing their very first production, which the 40 students, between the ages of 8 and 18, will perform later this March. Amy and Sarah have had help from former Launceston College student Oliver Midwinter, who is hoping to enter the theatre industry, and has been supporting the students while also working hard behind the scenes on the
technical and design side of the production.
For now, the theatre can offer 50 places, and it already has a waiting list, but Amy hopes it will be able to expand in the near future. They meet on Saturday mornings at the Gateway Centre.