Salopians perform with prestigious National Youth Music Theatre

This summer, three of our students took part in the National Youth Music Theatre’s summer programme.  

The NYMT is the most prestigious youth theatre company in the country, with alumni including Idris Elba and Jude Law. Thousands of young people audition each year to take part in their four flagship shows, which are staged in professional theatres in London and around the country.  

It is a huge testament to the strength of performing arts at Shrewsbury that three members of the school were selected to take part in shows this summer: Nat T (EDH, UVI) in ‘The Boy who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair’ at Leicester Curve, Ivo W (I, UVI) in ‘Merrily we roll along’ at the Southwark Playhouse and Hattie A (G, UVI) in the workshop of ‘Catastrophe Bay.’ 

Nat, who played the saxophone, piccolo and the flute for her NYMT production, said: “My two weeks with the National Youth Music Theatre was one of the highlights of my summer this year - and the highlight of my musical career thus far. 

“It was an absolute privilege to be able to play the beautiful music written by Jordan Li-Smith (an absolute genius - by the last number of the final show I must confess I was so moved by the music and plot of the musical I was a bit emotional!), orchestrated by Ben Ferguson and musically directed by Lewis Bell. All of the creatives working in the show were very inspiring and such good fun to work with and I quickly developed a good repo with my like-minded band mates.  

“The music was incredibly enjoyable not only to play but to listen to and was of such difficulty that it was at first daunting to play in front of so many people. However, I learned to play as part of large group of musicians whilst simultaneously adapting to the live ups and downs of the actors on stage. Our first show was somewhat hysterical with it being a new musical, we hadn't time for a dress rehearsal and naturally things went wrong so everyone had to be quick on their feet (it all just added to the thrill of finally getting to perform it!). I'm happy to say each show it only got better and better! 

“I intend to reaudition for the NYMT in the years to come and hope I get to perform in a few more musicals as I've found a real passion for such beautiful music.” 

Ivo, who performed in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ added: “I had a great time playing amongst some incredibly talented musicians and enjoyed tackling Sondheim's difficult score.  

“It was an amazing opportunity to be around others planning on going into or already in music careers and it inspired me to keep pushing for my top choice conservatoire.”