Company is most prolific commissioner of new musicals in the UK
Young people in a British Youth Music Theatre production(Image: Darren Robinson Photography)
This is the year that British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) pays a visit to Hull for the first time ever, as part of its summer season of shows across the UK. It will present the premiere of Technical Difficulties, a comedy set during a high school’s own musical production.
The production will run for four performances at Hull Truck Theatre, on August 7 and 8. Packed with high-energy songs and unpredictable twists, this brand-new show quickly turns into a whodunnit mystery.
As the drama escalates both on stage and off, the cracks begin to reveal what’s really going on. Technical Difficulties brings together 38 young performers from across the country.
As part of BYMT’s new relationship with Hull, its audition tour will be coming to the city early next year. This will give local young people, aged 11 to 21, an opportunity to engage with the company and the chance to be part of next year’s shows and workshops, all around the county.
BYMT is the most prolific commissioner of new musicals in the UK, working with acclaimed emerging writers, composers and creatives, and hundreds of young people across the UK to create bold new musical theatre. Technical Difficulties is written by Joe Venable and Samuel Macdonald, who said: “No-one knows better than teenagers how it feels for the entire world to be collapsing around you, and we’re excited to create something really funny that also explores the tricky business of growing up and working out who you are.
“We’re massively grateful to Hull Truck Theatre for providing us with the right-shaped stage to make all kinds of technical difficulties happen: get ready for misplaced explosives, countless costume disasters and a race against time to find the saboteur.” Emily Gray, BYMT creative director said: “This is such a brilliant idea for a new musical and our Young Company panel were convinced that BYMT performers would have fun creating a hilarious show.
“We are excited to see young people playing teachers and theatre technicians, as well as school students, and having experimented with the material in schools, we know it is relevant and funny. There is a wider significance too as the piece celebrates the need for the arts in schools, and explores how the forces trying to suppress creativity will receive their comeuppance.
“We hope you will join us to laugh and champion the survival of the school musical in Hull this summer.” Izzy Ripley, Young Company member, said: “I had an amazing time performing with BYMT last summer, and cannot wait to start rehearsing for Technical Difficulties.
“It’s brilliant to be performing in Hull, so near to where I live, and to be part of this incredible show with such a talented group of young people. I think audiences will love Technical Difficulties; it’s funny and original, but also relatable and real.
“It’s always a privilege to be part of a team bringing a new BYMT musical to audiences, but to be part of a new musical comedy set in a high school with characters our own age, will be an amazing experience.”