TWO years ago a catastrophic fire destroyed the drama studio at Lord Williams?s Lower School and seriously damaged the Main Hall. Now, with the new Phoenix Performing Arts Studio recently opening and in everyday use, last Thursday hosted its first ever public performance. Thame Youth Theatre performed a double bill: the Juniors with their version of The Jungle Book, and the Seniors working together with the Juniors presenting new ghost story, Long Tom and the Dead Hand.
Fund-raising continues for the Phoenix, as it is not yet fully equipped, but last Thursday showed that both the Phoenix and the Youth Theatre are set for brighter days ahead.
Thame Youth Theatre is twenty years old this September and plans a major re-launch, to return to the levels of membership and activity that it used to enjoy, with classes in Dance and Drama, and regular performances alongside special projects ? performing at festivals at home and abroad, foreign exchanges and the like.
The first step in that re-launch comes with their first Summer project for some years, with a week of rehearsals leading up to performances at this summer?s Towersey Festival. Two groups ? Juniors aged from 10 to 13, and Seniors aged 14 and above ? will be rehearsing during the week, so do contact the Youth Theatre if you or someone you know might be interested in taking part. A particular feature will be the inclusion of live music, so anyone who plays a portable musical instrument will be particularly welcome, but anyone who enjoys performing is encouraged to contact the Youth Theatre.
The sessions will be lead by Chris Walters, a familiar figure to many in Thame because of his involvement with both Lord Williams?s and the Youth Theatre.
Weekly rehearsals will run from 24th-28th August at Phoenix Studio, Lord Williams?s Lower School, with performances at Towersey on 30th August. The cost will be
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