Denmark 2003.

During the summer of 2003, the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company visited Roskilde in Denmark, where we give performances of both Equus and Showtime! It was the first time in 15 years that the company has undertaken international work, but marked a return to a beautiful part of Europe that the company first visited in 1984.

The company view the experience of international touring as an exciting and valuable part of the learning experience that the company provides. Many young people have had their first experience of international travel with the company, and many have gone on to live, and work, in Europe as a result. The visits provide a chance for the company to showcase the good practice encouraged in arts education by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the City and County of Swansea, and also allows company members to sample the unique historical, social and cultural atmosphere of our partner nation. This year, the company will give five performances in the Roskilde and Copenhagen regions, will undertake visits to sites of local interest and will stay with host families and visit our host school. This will be the third visit of the company to Denmark.

Roskilde - 1984

In the early 1980's a number of Educational exchanges were established between Education Departments in Aarhus, Roskilde and the old West Glamorgan Authority, designed to improve practice in a range of disciplines including language skills, drama and music. This partnership was set up as it was viewed that the regions had similar sized populations and similar social and economic backgrounds.

Out of this project came the Youth Theatre's first international tour, a visit to Roskilde in 1984. The company took two main pieces to perform in Denmark, A Midsummer's Night's Dream (William Shakespeare) and

The Crucible (Arthur Miller), as well as three short plays written by company members "In Her Element", "Relics" and "Morriston Circular".

Soon after, a group of Danish Students visited the old West Glamorgan Authority, seeking to sample the County's international reputation in Education and the Arts. A joint project was rehearsed in Danycoed Education Centre based around the life and poetry of Dylan Thomas.

Aarhus - 1989

In early 1989, the company visited the Danish city of Aarhus, performing two pieces in the main civic theatre. A Night Out by Harold Pinter and Blood Brothers by Willy Russell, were given several performances in the theatre as well as in local schools and colleges.

Roskilde - 2003

The Youth Theatre will this year re-establish its tradition of visiting Denmark, returning to Roskilde to work with many of the venues and individuals who made our first visit there such a success. It is hope that performances of Equus and Showtime! will further re-enforce the artistic, educational and cultural value of our on-going relationship with our European cousins.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the support of the City and County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council in initiating the international element of the course, and would like to give particular thanks to our Danish hosts who have been so supportive in arranging our visit. Particular thanks to Mr Kurt Trangbaek, Jonny Rasmussen, Holger Hamann and their colleagues for organising our visit.