International Youth Arts Festival, London 2010
sponsored by Ulster Garden Villages, Deloitte and Brewin Dolphin.
Godspell Cast
Following the sell-out performance of Godspell in the Grand Opera House (August 2009), MT4Uth were invited by festival patron Jeremy James Taylor O.B.E., to perform and represent Ireland and excellence at the 2010 International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston, London. The festival showcased the highest quality youth arts from around the world and enabled MT4Uth to display the talent that exists in Ireland on an international stage.
Watch an extract from the performance by clicking the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd84HlWg3tQ
The production was led by an international artistic team comprised of Vernon Mound (Head of Musical Theatre, Gothenberg University), Anthoula Papadakis (World Renowned Choreographer), Ryan Jenkins (West End Choreographer), Henry Gilbert (Guildford School of Music & Drama), Gareth Ellis (Musical Director Wicked) and Shane McVicker (Assistant Musical Director, MT4Uth).
Ryan Jenkins, Anthoula Papadakis and Gareth Ellis enjoy the after-show reception in London
The cast travelled over to London on the 3rd of July to begin rehearsals for their first performance on the 8th July. The cast endured long and exhausting rehearsals as they had just five days to perfect the production.
Any spare time away from rehearsals was spent publicising Godspell and the IYAF in the town centre, which didn’t go unnoticed by the local council and the festival organisers.
The cast performing extracts from Godspell in Kingston High Street
"My name is David White and I have worked as Musical Supervisor and/or Musical Director on many productions in the West End over the last 25 years, working particularly with Trevor Nunn, Cameron Mackintosh and Lord Lloyd-Webber. I have been fortunate to be involved in many now classic musicals from the 80s onwards, including Les Miserables, Phantom, Martin Guerre, Sunset Boulevard, Witches Of Eastwick and so on. Vernon invited me to see your company recently in Kingston and I really felt so stirred by the performance that I decided to write to you to share my feelings.
I thought it was so clever to reduce Godspell to one act. It had tremendous pace and it was particularly interesting to see less emphasis on the evangelical in favour of a more modern feel that anyone from any belief system could embrace. It felt like a united young Irish voice telling us to simply share in their discoveries of good stories. It never felt like a lecture! Brilliant... inspiring and moving. It is always so poignant when a group of young people teach us- the elders- lessons about life!
Once again Anthoula managed to create choreography that seemed bang-up-to-date, both lifting the piece out of a 60s period piece whilst harnessing and focusing the explosive energy from this amazing young cast.
I gather the company has won an award for the most Innovative and Inspiring Youth Company at the International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston, England! Congratulations! Clearly well deserved!
Finally, as a musician I had to mention how deftly the small band of musicians, led by the wonderful and sure-footed Gareth Ellis, accompanied this whirlwind of energy from the cast.
You must be very proud to be responsible for the ongoing life of this group.
Yours with admiration,
David"
David White (Musical Director)
“The cast and company of ‘Godspell’ were an utter joy to have as part of IYAF 2010. No other company better proved the spirit, passion and commitment that we at IYAF embrace. The quality of the production as well as all the extra effort that the company went to to promote, market and publicise their performance was an inspiration to others. I hope with all my heart that they will be back in 2011!”
Aniela Zaba (Festival Director)
“Our Council’s ambition to transform Kingston into a ‘festival town’ was greatly enhanced by the participation of MT4Uth. The ‘Godspell’ production at our cherished Rose Theatre was easily the highlight of the week. Many thanks, on behalf of the council, for your effort, enthusiasm and professionalism. We hope to see you again!”
Councillor Barry O’Mahony (Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames)
Kingston Town Centre
The week was a tiring one- especially for the 32 young people in the cast, however, this hard work certainly paid off with two fantastic performances on the 8th and 9th July at the Rose Theatre.
“I had little doubt when inviting ‘Godspell’ to the International Youth Arts Festival that it would be the hit of the week- and I was right! MT4Uth were a shining example of what it's all about. They did great work; they inspired everyone who encountered them- and they had enormous fun whilst doing it. More please!”
Jeremy James Taylor O.B.E. (Founder of the National Youth Music Theatre)
Over 700 tickets were sold for the Friday evening, which Chike Okonkwo presented, with many agents, sponsors, special guests, professional musicians and directors as well as family and friends in attendance.
"My route to acting (like so many of the performers in my profession) was borne out of a love for the arts as a young person. I was fortunate enough to learn good habits early, and to place in my heart a desire to succeed in what it is that I love. During the International Youth Arts Festival in my hometown of Kingston-Upon-Thames, I was treated to the same verve, the same enthusiasm, and the same level of excellence whilst watching MT4Uth's performance of Godspell that I was exposed to as a young performer. I sat in the stalls with a fixed grin at the theatrical brilliance that can be achieved with very little time, and without an abundance in the way of budget. It made me wonder what these young people could go on to achieve if given more of the same opportunities. It's my ardent desire to find out, so I will continue to support MT4Uth, in the hope that they continue to give young people the platform to do what it is that they love doing. Telling stories. Well!!"
Chike Okonkwo (Actor)
After a rousing standing ovation, MT4Uth were presented with the festival’s only award - “Most Innovative Theatre Company”.
On behalf of the MT4Uth team, Jenny Cooke receives the award for “Most Innovative Theatre Company”
"Congratulations to the entire team who clearly work tirelessly to produce such excellent results; this is a fine organisation, which seriously deserves our attention.”
Ross Campbell (Head of Singing & Music, GSA at the University of Surrey; Chief Examiner, GSA Musical Theatre Singing Examinations; Professor, Royal Academy of Music, London; Mentor & Author to the ABRSM; 'Best Classical Publication 2009' MIA Award Winner and QAA Specialist Reviewer)
HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, discusses the production with Jenny Cooke and Ryan Jenkins
“MT4Uth’s ‘Godspell’ was a triumph! It was an excellent production superbly performed. It was a great hit in the International Youth Arts Festival and it’s a pity that there couldn’t be more performances.”
David Nield (Trustee of the Festival)
“I just want to say how blown away I was by the performance on Friday. I think that the production showed huge invention and ability, and the children and young people proved they were real ‘theatre animals’. You have some great characters, and as always, Anthoula's fabulous set pieces and Vernon's great conceptual work shine bright.”
Tim Sutton (Composer and Musical Director)