Press Releases

Christmas came a little early this week for MT4Uth (Music Theatre 4 Youth) as they prepared to host their festive extravaganza, Oh What A Beautiful Evening.  Over 150 students from across Ireland will take part in the eagerly-awaited show at Belfast's Ulster Hall on December 12.

Cast members are extra-excited about treading the boards as they will be joined by well-known alumni, West End star Niamh Perry and Coleraine-born actress Jayne Wisener.  SPecial guest Chris Fountain of Hollyoaks and Dancing on Ice fame will also join the star-studded line-up. 

MT4Uth is the only all-Ireland performing arts charity for 11-25 year olds and has become a leader in youth music theatre throughout Ireland and the UK.  Follwoing their successful television appearance on Don't Stop Believing the performers were straight into rehearsals ahead of their Christmas peformance.

The show will include extracts from MT4Uth hit performances including Bugsy Malone, Our House, Godspell, Don't Stop Believing, Slice of Saturday Night and Annie Get Your Gun.

MT4Uth patron Niamh Perry said the charity had special significance for her: "I am so excited to be involved," said the actress.  "The charity means the world to me and I am proud to be associated with such a wonderful company.  It is a rare occasion to have such an enormous amount of young Irish talent on one stage."

MT4Uth perform at the Ulster Hall on December 12th at 4pm and 7.30pm.  To purchase tickets visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ulsterhall

Joanne Savage

Strabane's Alley Theatre will be hosting a groundbreaking drama and music workshop for high school pupils in Strabane district during the Halloween break, culminating in a performance of the West End hit, 'Oklahoma'.

Run by Music Theatre 4 Youth (MT4Uth) and supported by Strabane District Council, the 'Hope for Youth' and Children in Need' drama workshop will give local pupils the opportunity to work under the expert guidance of a West End production team and gain a valuable insight into the theatre industry.

Jean Smyth, arts development officer at Strabane District Council, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn new skills, increase their confidence on stage and work with some leading professionals within the world of theatre. "At the end of the course, participants will perform a short show for parents, friends, family and the general public at the award-winning Alley Theatre, an amazing opportunity for any aspiring actor or actress"

If the truth be told, I had just closed a play Lay Up Your Ends at The Grand Opera House the night before – and the subsequent very late night left me wishing I hadn’t accepted an invitation to the musical Godspell by Music Theatre 4 Youth in the very same building – the very next night.

Neither did it help that being a convinced atheist (at least a daytime atheist) the subject matter would be in and around the workings of the Gospel.

I needed have worried.

From the split-second the 50 young people from all over Ireland bounded onto the stage, I was 100% engaged. Apparently, rehearsed inside a mere 6 days this was a production and a half. I remember sitting back for a few seconds half way through it, literally to catch my breath. I was exhausted watching such energy. This Godspell had everything you want for a great night out at the theatre. Brilliant cast, interesting story, great songs, tight band, terrific choreography, precision directing, some amazing dancing, excellent set and above all the performances of a young group of people who must surely have the stars of the future among them. The play programme didn’t list who played who, so I can’t identify individuals but it wasn’t really about individuals. It was all about ensemble, teamwork, camaraderie and the power of collective art. Unfortunately, modern theatre has moved – for constricting financial reasons – towards plays with small casts. A big cast in the professional theatre today is a cast of six. Last night we had fifty young people and a live band providing us with the kind of night’s entertainment that is just so rare now.

Highlights for me were an electrifying break dance, the singing of the well-known Day By Day song and the crucifixion scene. (Though I did think this scene would have actually contained more power if the actor had emoted less) While I am in the critical vein, I thought some of the singing was spoiled by a poor sound system or perhaps it was all down to technical problems due to having such a very short rehearsal period which would make it completely understandable.

The other great bonus for me is that the evening introduced me to Music Theatre 4 Youth. Apparently it’s already been going for 4 or 5 years and aims to provide opportunities for young people from here to be trained in all aspects of musical theatre. On the evidence of Godspell, Music Theatre 4 Youth is implementing its aims with aplomb. I look forward to their next production.

Martin Lynch

Talented people are being invited to try out for a project which could help catapult them to stardom. 'Music Theatre 4 Youth' (MT4Uth) is urging people aged 11-22 to audition later this month for what could be the start of a career in performance. MT4Uth was established in 2005 to give young people from across Ireland the very best quality musical theatre tuition, along with the chance to perform at various theatre venues across the country. MT4Uth encourages the development of talent regardless of whether or not there is the intention to pursue a career in musical theatre and helps in the personal and social development of young people, building self-esteem and confidence. During the course of the weekend the participants develop key life skills such as communication, commitment, motivation and the ability to work as part of a team.

A choir of Northern Irish children will be singing live with West End musical star Lee Mead this Friday to open the 28th Children in Need show. The children from Music Theatre 4 Youth will join the star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - who will be based in London - via a live link from Stormont. Lee, who was the winner of the BBC's talent search show Any Dream Will Do, will be joined by a number of choirs across the UK to perform. Sorcha McVeigh, manager of MT4Uth, which is funded through the BBC Children in Need Bursary Scheme, said: "We are thrilled that BBC Children in Need have asked Music Theatre 4 Youth to perform live at Stormont. "One hundred of our members, aged between 11 and 22 years, will perform the opening number alongside Lee Mead with choirs from across the rest of the UK. "It is a fantastic opportunity for MT4Uth - everyone is very excited and looking forward to the evening." Lee will be performing from the London-based studio where the Appeal Night will be broadcast. He will be joined by 53 children, including 36 from the cast of Joseph. The additional choirs will join him via satellite link-up from many different locations across the UK. As well as Belfast, these are Cardiff, Lincoln, Blackpool, Birmingham and Basingstoke. Lee Mead said: "I think it's a great idea to bring kids from across the UK together like this in one massive choir. "I'm really looking forward to Children in Need night and hope that everyone is practising hard ready for Friday night. "Let's hope I can keep in time with Belfast and Glasgow from TV Centre in London." Following the performance of Any Dream Will Do, Lee and the cast will be rushing back to the West End for a performance of Joseph, which will also raise funds for Children in Need.