A story of love, pain, ecstasy and death will take audiences on an emotional roller coaster at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos.
Young actors of Theatr Yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 Youth Theatre have been rehearsing the award-winning three act play, Our Town, since November last year preparing for their four night run at the Stiwt.
And, according to Artistic Director Lisa Van der Horst, the play will have audiences both laughing and tearful in equal measure thanks to the raw emotions of love, life and death the play examines.
Lisa said: “Our Town was written by Thornton Wilder way back in 1937. It tells the story of an average New Hampshire town’s citizens in the early years of the 20th century.
“But it also just as relevant today, it’s a play about the simple pleasures in life as well as the pain we all have to face at one time and other. It’s a wonderfully moving play and will be enjoyed by many adults.
“If you want a good night out and want to be immersed in a real story, come along to the Stiwt and see our fine young actors in full flow.”
Our Town will be performed by the Youth Theatre’s 11 to 21-year-old actors, affectionately known as the Biggies, while the seven to 11 year old, the Littlies, are busy rehearsing a children’s version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Lisa says the younger actors will also perform their play on the Stiwt’s main stage and she is delighted to have become the Youth Theatre‘s artistic director two years ago.
Originally from Portsmouth, Lisa has now set up home in Weston Rhyn, on the Welsh and English border near Chirk, with her Dutch husband and two children.
She said: “I spent 18 years as a professional actor and dancer and actually played the role of Emily in Our Town many years ago. It’s wonderful to have acted in the play and to now have the opportunity to direct it too.
“I took over as artistic director of Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 two years ago and I have loved every minute of it. The young actors I am so lucky to work with are dedicated and really talented.
Lisa has several TV credits to her name including a lead role in Sirens, a police saga, and Family in which she played opposite Spandau Ballet and EastEnders star Martin Kemp.
However, she admits her real love is theatre and she has performed on countless UK theatre stages in roles as diverse as Macbeth to pantomime.
And since putting down roots in the area she has put much of her time into youth theatre, firstly with Chester-based Theatre Train which also took in Mold and Wrexham before moving to Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990.
She said: “The Youth Theatre has such a wonderful community spirit about it, it’s really built around a fantastic team effort. The young people I work with have a really strong sense of theatre and the Stiwt is such a lovely old theatre.
“The young people that make up Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 are experiencing real theatre by performing at the Stiwt. They now know what it’s like to work with real lighting and sound technicians and have the experience of working on a real stage.
“Many youth groups aren’t so lucky and have to settle for a church or village hall. However, we can put on a really professional show and that’s important.”
She added: “It’s not just about the young actors, among the parents, grandparents and families we have costume designers, carpenters, electricians, all the skills we need to put on our shows.
“Being part of the Youth Theatre gives our young people confidence at an early age and it gives them something extra they can take into other areas of their lives.”
Young actors Rhys Jones, 16, Ellen Taylor and Ffion Jones, both 15, have been members of Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 since they were seven or eight years of age and all say Youth Theatre has played a big role in how they have grown up.
Ellen said: “We are all friends but it’s like being part of a big family too. We know each other really well and I’m sure we will remain friends for life.”
Ffion, who says her favourite production was The Whiz, a rock version of The Wizard of Oz, agreed, adding: “It’s always been a case of Thursday is theatre rehearsal night. I’m looking forward to performing in Our Town. I think it’s a really good story and very emotional.
“I think we all love performing and have learnt and take a lot from what we do. It certainly gives you confidence.”
Rhys said: “The theatre has gone from strength to strength and I have always enjoyed being part of it. I’ve made so many friends and love performing on stage here at the Stiwt.
“We are really lucky to have a real theatre to perform in it makes such a massive difference.”
Chair of Theatr Yr Ifanc Rhos 1990, Lloyd Hitchmough, whose son Rhys Hitchmough, is assistant director, says the aim is always to put on a professional performance.
He said: “We aim high and I know we achieve our goal. As a youth theatre we want to give our young people the opportunity to perform in a real theatre, on a real stage and have the benefits of a proper lighting and sound crew to help them.
“For instance, on all our performances we use radio mics – learning how to use those is a skill in itself and something else the young actors have to think about.
Now in its 21st year, Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 continues to attract big numbers of youngsters keen to tread the boards of the Stiwt.
Lloyd said: “I first became involved through my, now adult, sons who both joined when they were around seven years of age. I ended up Vice Chair and eventually Chair.
“We have a really dedicated team and aim to give our young people confidence. But what really stands out is that the kids simply want to be here and want to perform in the plays and musicals we put together.”
He added: “However, of course putting on a show like Our Town is an expensive business and we barely break even. The kids pay £2 a session throughout the year and that helps but we really want to see more bums on theatre seats.
“We also take our young members to Germany on a bi-annual basis to team up with youngsters who are members of a big band. And of course we host our German friends too. There’s a lot of friendships that have been forged through the exchange trips and they all keep in touch through Facebook.”
He added: “There has been a huge amount of effort gone into Our Town and the children’s version of Midsummer Night’s Dream and I‘d encourage anyone to come along and experience theatre first hand.
“Our Town is a really wonderful play, packed full of emotion. Try something different and support our young people. I’ll guarantee you won’t leave disappointed, it’s a wonderful play acted by wonderful young people who will appreciate your support.”
Our Town will be performed at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos on Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29, Friday July 1st and Saturday July 2nd. Midsummer Night’s Dream is onJuly 15th and 16th. For tickets, contact The Stiwt Theatre Box Office on 01978 841300.
