As the years go by I am constantly astonished by the consummate skills and huge talent displayed by the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre. The young people involved in this enterprise have the supreme advantage of being trained by highly qualified members of the theatrical profession. Moreover, they’ve been attending workshops - some of them for many years – to develop movement and voice production.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Happy Prince” adapted by David Perkins and Caroline Dooley provides the perfect showcase for these hardworking an inspired youths.

The story lends itself beautifully to being told as a musical. David Perkins is a seasoned composer of works of this genre; and his eight-piece orchestra greatly enhances the mood of the production. The choruses are rousing and melodious; while the set designed by Sharon Davey (also made by Youth Theatre members) could be out of a gloriously illustrated children’s book. The lighting design by Dan Last is very clever, especially when the statue of The Happy Prince turns from gold to white.

Jack Sunderland, who plays the part of the Swallow, gives a heartrending performance. His dancing ability and cheeky demeanour make his death at the end excruciatingly poignant. In the ensemble pieces all give of their very best. You could pick out any child at any time in any scene and they would be animated and totally absorbed. The dance routines, and there are many of them, are immaculate: especially one where the school teacher (Katie Williams) leads her recalcitrant pupils in a complicated and very amusing frolic. Kate Burgess as the little Match Girl performs a charming cameo, singing plaintively and winning the audience’s hearts with her understanding of the part.

There were 50 young people involved in the cast alone without counting the huge technical team, which comprised another 50 at least. All sorts of ancillary sources of help have been enlisted. For example, when a special effect was achieved by myriad gold fragments falling from the sky – an enchanting sight - none other than the 1st Farncombe Cub Scouts assisted with the drop. I gather that each fragment had been snipped by the backstage team!

If you want to come out of the theatre with that warm, happy sort of feeling that says “don’t worry, everything’s going to turn out all right” then I strongly recommend you get along to the YA Theatre. The last performance is on Saturday 30th June at 7.00 pm.

Quotes from the layton-fox hoilday diary

"the only good thing was that we got drinks and chocolate on the way back"

"I stopped at ambleside in the morning got fudge. Got mars bar at cafe... had chips and buger baps hmmm yummy"

"Today was our fitness day...stopped at the jumping jenny for a snack (and chocolate cake yummy!)... we went swimming then got a chocolate doughnut and slush puppie.. and later we got greasy chips."

"thorntons look a like (but bigger) chocolate shop"

"we ran to our street from grasmere where milz and kate were shopping then casually caught our breath and walked down the street like we never even ran"

"the walk was good,4 miles around, this silly old woman told us we had like seven hours to go"

"boys- no comment, we can make something up"

1. Whats your Name?
2. Are we close?
3. What do you think of me?
4. Do you hav a crush on me?
5. Would u kiss me?
6. Would u f*?! me?
7. Describe me in 3 words?
8. If u Had Me for 30 Mins wat would you do?
9. What was ur first impression of me?
10. Do u still think the same?
11. What reminds u of me?
12. If you could give me anything what would it be?
13. How well do u know me?
14. What do u like best about me?
15. Ever wanted 2 tell me something u couldn't?
16. Could you ever love me?
17. Give me a nickname and explain why?
18. R u gonna put this on ur blog and c wat i say bout u?