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Llandudno Youth Music Theatre
A MUSICAL gem by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber is getting its first outing in Wales, thanks to a group of teenage amateur performers.
Llandudno Youth Music Theatre (LYMT) has landed the rights to stage the award-winning duo's The Likes of Us.
It was the first musical the two wrote together, more than 40 years ago, and is based on the story of pioneer Dr Thomas Barnardo and his work with homeless children in mid 19th century London.
The Oliver-esque musical never made the West end stage and has only been performed twice - once with Tim Rice playing the auctioneer.
The pair then moved onto global hits such as Joseph, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. Now it's being released to amateur groups before its professional release.
Lloyd-Webber's Really Useful Company is working with Noda, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, to allow amateur theatre groups across the UK to stage the musical.
The award-winning LYMT and members of sister group Stagenotes have been chosen to present the first performance in Wales.
Margaret Jones, one of the founder members of the group, said they were thrilled to secure the rights to perform the show.
"We are all very excited at the prospect of staging this show," she said.
"It is also an opportunity to highlight and make a contribution to the work of Barnardo's, which will receive a percentage of our box office takings."
Representatives from Barnardo's have also been giving the cast an insight into the life of a homeless child, which has helped them develop their roles for the forthcoming production. The cast have learnt how the charity's work with children has evolved since its foundation and how it currently helps over 100,000 children, young people and their families every year.
Former members of the group, who have gone on to forge professional careers in musical theatre have come back to help rehearse the cast.
Helping with vocal coaching and musical interpretation is Mathew Pritchard, who trained at Lipa and recently collaborated with Tim Rice on the musical Blondel, plus Gareth Weedon, musical director of a number of national touring shows, including Joseph & The Technicolour Dreamcoat and Blood Brothers.
The band will be made up of professional musicians including members of the Hallé and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras.
The Likes of Us tells the story of the life of Dr Barnardo and his evangelical, entrepreneurial and philanthropic crusades to rescue children living on the streets.
Tony Gibbs, chief executive of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, said: "The Likes of Us is truly unique and we're delighted that Llandudno Youth Music Theatre has secured the rights to perform it, and that audiences across North Wales will have the opportunity to see this wonderful performance."
LYMT will stage four performances in the main theatre at Venue Cymru, Llandudno from Thursday 23h July to Saturday 25 July. Tickets on sale from the theatre box office 01492 872000.
