Its been another period of sustained success for alumni of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company in the artistic professions. Perhaps the highest profile link for the Company has come from the multi-BAFTA award winning 'Gavin and Stacey', which not only features Joanna Page in the title role of Stacey, but has also featured a number of other West Glam members, including Steffan Rhodri (formerly Steffan Ellis) and Ffion Williams.

Shakespeare's Globe in London is playing host to 2 Company Members. Bethan Walker will play Peaseblossom in the forthcoming production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and Daniel Hawkesford (formerly Dan Jenkins) is playing Edmund in the much-publicised production of 'King Lear'. It has been a successful few months for Dan, having been nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for his work at the National Theatre in 'Much Ado About Nothing', where he co-starred with Simon Russell-Beale and Zoe Wanamaker.

Congratulations also to Jordan Bernarde (formerly Jordan Piles), who has undertaken his first full season of work with Theatr Clwyd Cymru in the current production of 'Measure for Measure'.

The Billy Elliot Connection continues after stage manager Gemma Thomas was appointed to the production following her graduation from RADA and work on 'Lord of The Rings'. Shes joins Director Nick Evans and dresser Sally James in the 'West Glam alumni' working on the show.

News reaches us that another Company Member is currently working on Broadway as Resident Director of Mary Poppins. Anthony Lyn had enjoyed considerable success as an Associate and Resident Director and is currently 'wowing' the 'Great White Way' with his work for Cameron Mackintosh. Closer to home, but equally pleasing, is the news that Jeni Shakesby is on tour with a production of Othello which is coming to Oystermouth Castle on May 25th/26th. Working with the outdoor tour company Anvil Productions, Jeni will be playing Bianca, the Clown, five other smaller roles and understudying Desdemona and Emilia - wow!

We know that many of the rest of you must be busy in TV and Film and Theatre as we speak - do get in touch with us here at the website if you have any news.

Congratulations to Nick Evans

The company would like to extend its warmest congratulations to Nick on his resent appointment as director of the West End musical "Billy Elliot". Nick's contract will start straight after the summer course (not that we have high standers but the Billy Elliott director as our warm up boy!) and will initially last for 18 mouths. The company takes great pride in the work and contribution Nick has given over the past years and especially for the last seven years when he has been a very active member of the Artistic Directorate. Is this end of Nick Evans? NO, we are not going to let him get away that easily, and I'm sure he dose not want to, he'll be back. Our best wishes go out to NIck on this progression in his career and we wish him every luck and success in his future.

 

Barnaby Kellett

The entire West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company has been deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Barnaby Kellett, a much cherished member of the Company from 2001 to 2006. At a time when many staff and students are experiencing deep sorrow and shock at the sudden loss of such a talented young man, we can draw some strength from the many gifts Barnaby brought to the Company over the last five years.

Everyone who has been a part of the Company in that time will have been touched by his energy, capacity for friendship, and utter love of all things 'West Glamorgan'. He was a student and actor of rare versatility, and brought a professional and detailed approach to a remarkably wide range of acting roles. A youthful energy to the role of Ferdinand in 'The Tempest'. Wit, and incredible craft, to the role of Groucho Marx in 'Marx Soup'. Charm and grace as Sky Masterson. Physical prowess and strength as Nugget in Equus. Threat and danger in his work as part of the Company's production of 'The Birthday Party'. And an ethereal nobility in playing Aufidius in 'Coriolanus'. The list goes on. Few young people could have adapted and developed across such a range of diverse challenges. Barnaby did so, with a joy, intellect, and good humour, that greatly influenced all around him; students and staff alike.

But beyond these great abilities as actor or dancer, it is as a remarkable person that we shall most remember him. Company members will have a range of memories of rooms-shared with Barnaby, social committee games, our international visit to Denmark….. or just the conversations around Danycoed that Barnaby so loved. In having someone as special as Barnaby as a part of the Youth Theatre family, we have been blessed. It is to be hoped that we can find strength in so many happy memories shared, over the weeks and months ahead.

At the end of his last course in Summer 2006, Barnaby left Danycoed with a typically-Barnaby-phrase. He turned to the staff and said simply, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world". And neither would we….