The City Varieties
Youth Theatre Company
ARE YOU AGED 8-21YRS?
Would you like to be involved in a thriving city centre Youth Theatre Company? Would you like to
tread the boards of our historic Music Hall and other major venues as part of the City Varieties
Youth Theatre Company and work alongside professional artists, developing your skills and meeting
likeminded young people?
Are you nodding? If you are we’d love to hear from you as we’re currently expanding the CVYTCo, so
why not apply today and join us?
WHAT WILL I GET OUT OF IT?
As a CVYT Co member you will…
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take part in weekly creative workshops during term time - 34 classes (plus a summer
production week) run over 3 terms throughout the year
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regularly work with freelance professional Directors: Lizi Patch (Director, Writer and
Performer), Dick Bonham (Director, Writer and Producer) and (for the Summer Production)
Musical Director Jamie Fletcher (Director, Musician and Performer)
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work with visiting professional choreographers, musicians, actors, circus artists, and
puppeteers
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explore the City Varieties’ rich history and develop skills in traditional and classical theatre,
devising and contemporary theatre practice
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be involved in two productions a year including our annual show produced on our world
famous stage at the City Varieties
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have a solid introduction to the world of professional theatre through working with the
youth theatre directors and visiting artists
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perform in Leeds’ historic city centre theatres (please note the weekly classes will be held in
the Grand Theatre’s studio)
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? APPLY TODAY…
Please return the application form to:
Rachel Lythe
Head of Learning
Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd
46 New Briggate
Leeds
LS1 6NZ
Tel: 0113 2977043
Email: learning@cityvarieties.co.uk
Cheque payments will be due
after the audition date and
before term starts. Please
make cheques payable to
Leeds Grand Theatre &
Opera House Ltd
THE CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY
Built in 1865, our grade II* listed building is one of only four surviving Music Halls from the Victorian
period and it is the only one that has continually provided a programme of variety throughout the
years. Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini have trod these very boards and many household names
from the world of comedy and entertainment today, alongside touring theatre companies and local
professional companies, perform in and treasure this beautiful, intimate space with its rich history
and exciting future. We look forward to welcoming YOU onto that very stage. You ARE the future.
In July 2012, The City Varieties Youth Theatre Company produced “Return to the Forbidden Planet”
at the City Varieties Music Hall to a packed audience. In Dec 2012, the Company went on to devise
and perform a full length play ‘Valentine’ in the beautifully restored Howard Assembly Room and in
July 2013, the Company returned to the City Varieties to perform “Little Shop of Horrors” and a
devised piece “The Summer Snowball.”
With a professional pit band and a full technical team, the audience “absolutely loved” the shows
and were blown away by the level of skill and professionalism shown throughout, with parents
commenting that the summer show “was wonderful-the best so far.”
“It was an excellent show, all the cast are very talented and are an asset to Leeds…I am sure many of
the company will go far with their acting and singing.” Member of the public writing into Yorkshire
Evening Post
The City Varieties Youth Theatre Company promotes excellence and creativity and is committed to
being accessible and a safe environment for all people regardless of their gender, ethnic origin,
disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or for any other unfair reason.
“I feel very proud to be a part of the City Varieties Youth Theatre Company because of its
professionalism and amazing shows it puts on! It's also very important to me as I'm gaining plenty
of experience and finding out what the real showbiz world will be like. I have enjoyed working with
the professional directors and meeting lots of new close friends with the same interests and
ambitions as me.
I think joining this youth theatre is the best decision I've ever made, as I'm learning so much and
I'm having the best time ever.”
PARTICIPANT
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY AIMS:
For us the emphasis of the Youth Theatre is on helping to facilitate the development of
strong, confident, versatile young performers. Performers who have the opportunity to
work with professional artists from the industry and who, consequently, have a realistic idea
of the nature of how the business is run. There is always room to reflect and learn from our
participants and as such we nurture an ongoing creative dialogue between directors, visiting
artists, CVYT management and you, the participants.
Our Aims.
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To welcome, nurture and develop the next generation of theatre professionals under
the tutelage of experienced professionals working in the business.
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To train young people to be versatile performers, equipping them with a range of
skills rooted in traditional variety right through to contemporary theatre practice.
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To draw from the traditions of early variety and music hall, exploring the notion of
theatre as a tool for social change and personal development for a new generation.
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To contextualise these skills, producing a range of work including an annual full scale
musical at the City Varieties, a Christmas show at the Howard Assembly rooms,
alongside smaller one off projects throughout the City of Leeds and beyond.
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To prepare young performers for further training and professional work within the
industry
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To celebrate creativity and excellence
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To increase the City Varieties reputation as a leading venue for hosting new talent
and artists of the future
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To promote best practice, equality and diversity
THE CVYTCo DIRECTORS
Lizi Patch – Artistic Director
Lizi is a director, writer, theatre maker and performer based in North Yorkshire.
She has 23 years experience developing and running projects locally and nationally in theatre, school
and community settings including Raised Eyebrow Theatre Company and Raised Eyebrow Youth
Theatre; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; C&T Theatre Worcester; Y Touring Theatre, London
and Polka Theatre, Wimbledon.
She is also Director of the CYC FUSE Youth Theatres; Director/Writer for the Carriageworks Academy
(in association with Leeds-based Company, Theatre Blah Blah Blah) Spring and Summer 2013 shows,
Associate Director for PLaY Theatre and Associate Artist with electric angel design in Scarborough
and Dhyaan Design, York.
Lizi also writes for BBC Radio 4 and is currently developing an afternoon play to be broadcast in the
Summer 2013.
www.lizipatch.co.uk
Dick Bonham – Associate Director
Dick is a theatre-maker and Producer based in Leeds. His recent directing work includes Beyond
Dreams of Aberystwyth for Emma Decent (The Lowry), Daniel Bye’s shows The Price of Everything
(Oval House Theatre) and How to Occupy An Oil Rig (co-commissioned by Stockton Arc, Berwick
Maltings and Newcastle Theatre Royal); Where’s Your Mama Gone? (New End Theatre Beyond) and
as Co-Artistic Director of PLaY he is currently working on We Can Be Heroes (The Lowry / Bradford
Theatre in the Mill). He was the dramaturg for Kieran Hurley’s Hitch, which was nominated for the
Critic’s Award for Theatre in Scotland. As a producer he works with Gloria Lindh as part of Little
Mighty, organising tours and developing the work of a number of companies and artists, including
Move to Stand, Lawrence Speck and LunaBug Theatre. For the past four years, he has taken a lead
on Emerge, an artist development project run by a partnership of venues and theatre companies in
Leeds, as well as forming part of the programming team at The Carriageworks Theatre. His theatre
work with young people includes projects for Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah, Breeze and Farsley
Youth Development Project.
Jamie Fletcher (Musical Director for our Summer Show)
Jamie was our Musical Director for the highly acclaimed Return To The Forbidden Planet in 2012.
Jamie is co-Artistic Director of PLaY Theatre and a freelance director, actor and musician. He has
performed across the UK and throughout Europe (both solo and collaboratively) and has received
commissions and residencies to create new performance works by some of the UK’s most innovative
arts centres including Greenroom and hAb Arts (Manchester), The Arches (Glasgow) and BAC,
Battersea Arts Centre (London).
City Varieties Youth Theatre Company
WHAT’S THE COST?
£130/term to cover 34 weekly classes (term time) and involvement in two productions/year. To participate in
the classes, payment must be received before the beginning of each new term. Please make cheques payable
to Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd. Any requests for alternative payment plans will be considered if
discussed with the Learning team in advance. Please note we also offer a limited number of bursaries; if you
would like to find out more about this, please contact the learning team for a bursary application form:
learning@cityvarieties.co.uk
WHEN ARE THE CLASSES?
Classes are divided into age groups and will rehearse on the following days, during term time only:
Saturdays:
10-11.30am (8-10yr olds)
1.30-3pm (11-15yr olds)
Tuesdays:
5.30-7pm (11-15yr olds)
7.15-9.15pm (16-21yr olds)
WHERE DO WE REHEARSE?
In Leeds Grand Theatre’s studio. Access is via the Stage Door which is located on Harrison Street.
WHEN DO WE PERFORM?
8-10yrs:
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th
th
th
th
th
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In the Howard Assembly Room at the Grand Theatre on 9 or 10 December 2013 (Variety show) and again on
th
5 April 2014 (scripted piece)
11-15yrs (Tues group):
In the Howard Assembly Room at the Grand Theatre on 9 or 10 December 2013 (Variety show) and in the
City Varieties in July 2014 (scripted piece)
11-15yrs (Sat group):
In the Howard Assembly Room at the Grand Theatre on 9 or 10 December 2013 (Variety show) and in the
th
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City Varieties on 24 -26 July 2014 (Summer Musical)
16-21yrs:
In the Howard Assembly Room at the Grand Theatre on 9 or 10 December 2013 (Variety show) and in the
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City Varieties on 24 -26 July 2014 (Summer Musical)
TERM DATES: Autumn Term 2013
Group
Class dates
Additional rehearsals
8-10yrs
Sat 14 Sept – Sat 19 Oct
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st
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Sunday 1 Dec FULL
REHEARSAL in HAR
Half term
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Sunday 8 Dec DRESS/TECH in
HAR
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Sat 9 Nov – 7 Dec
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11-15yrs (Sat)
st
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Sunday 1 Dec FULL
REHEARSAL in HAR
Sat 14 Sept – Sat 19 Oct
Half term
th
th
Sunday 8 Dec DRESS/TECH in
HAR
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Sat 9 Nov – 7 Dec
11-15yrs (Tues)
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st
nd
Sunday 1 Dec FULL
REHEARSAL in HAR
Tues 17 Sept – Tues 22 Oct
Half term
th
th
th
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Monday 9 or 10
Dec PERFORMANCE in
HAR
Monday 9 or 10
Dec PERFORMANCE in
HAR
th
th
th
th
Tuesday 9 or 10 Dec
PERFORMANCE in HAR
th
th
Sunday 8 Dec DRESS/TECH in
HAR
rd
Tues 5 Nov –Tues 3 Dec
16-21yrs
Performance
th
st
nd
Sunday 1 Dec FULL
REHEARSAL in HAR
Tues 17 Sept – Tues 22 Oct
Half term
Tuesday 9 or 10 Dec
PERFORMANCE in HAR
th
th
Sunday 8 Dec DRESS/TECH in
HAR
rd
Tues 5 Nov –Tues 3 Dec
Term Dates: Spring Term 2014
Group
Class dates
8-10yrs
Sat 11 Jan – Sat 8 Feb
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th
Half term
st
th
Sat 1 March – Sat 5 April
11-15yrs
(Sat)
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th
Sat 11 Jan – Sat 8 Feb
Half term
st
th
Sat 1 March – Sat 29 March
11-15yrs
(Tues)
th
th
Tues 14 Jan – Tues 11 Feb
Half term
th
th
th
th
Tues 25 Feb – Tues 25 March
16-21yrs
Tues 14 Jan – Tues 11 Feb
Half term
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th
Tues 25 Feb – Tues 25 March
Additional rehearsals
Performance
Tbc
Saturday 5 April
PERFORMANCE in HAR
tbc
th
Term Dates: Summer Term 2014
Group
Class dates
8-10yrs
Sat 26 April – Sat 17 May
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Additional rehearsals
Performance
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Half term
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Sat 7 June – Sat 12 July
11-15yrs
(Sat)
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Sat 26 April – Sat 17 May
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All day Sat 12 and 19 July
st
w/c 21 July tbc
Half term
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th
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Thurs 24 – Sat 26 July
at the CVMH
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Sat 7 June – Sat 19 July
11-15yrs
(Tues)
th
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Tues 29 April – Tues 20 May
th
Evenings w/c 14 July tbc
July at the CVMH (dates
tbc)
Half term
rd
th
Tues 3 June – Tues 15 July
16-21yrs
th
th
Tues 29 April – Tues 20 May
th
st
w/c 21 July tbc
Half term
rd
th
Tues 3 June – Tues 15 July
th
All day Sat 12 and 19 July
th
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Thurs 24 – Sat 26 July
at the CVMH
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY: APPLICATION FORM
TO APPLY FOR A PLACE PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TWO PAGES AND RETURN TO:
Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning, Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd, 46 New Briggate Leeds, LS1 6NZ.
Tel: 0113 2977043 Email: learning@cityvarieties.co.uk
Young person’s name:
Please see our website and click on the Learning/Youth Theatre tab for further details on classes:
www.cityvarieties.co.uk
Age:
DOB:
Address:
Young person’s Email:
Young person’s mobile Tel Number (if appropriate):
Parent’s/Guardian’s E-mail:
We will communicate updates with you about the classes via email. If you would like us to send
updates to more than one email please detail:
Parents/Guardian emergency Tel. Number:
Payment Details (please tick your preference)
£390 for the year’s fees due by 11th January (please make cheques payable to Leeds Grand
Theatre)
In three instalments of £130 due before the beginning of each term
THE CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be confirmed in writing and sent to Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning, a least
two weeks prior to the start of the next term
If you cancel after this point you will be charged in full for the following term.
We will refund any pre-paid course fees for each full term not attended. We do not refund midterm or pro rata.
Dropping Off and Collecting Information (please tick)
I understand that I must sign my child in with the Youth Theatre Directors at the Artists’ Entrance
of The Grand Theatre on our arrival and pick up my child from the same point promptly at the end of
each session.
I am happy for my child to be dropped off and collected by :
OR My child is over 14 years of age and they will be making their own way to and from the Grand
Theatre and/or the City Varieties
Important Medical Information
Name & Address of Doctor
Allergies
Medical Conditions
Parent/ Guardian declaration (please tick)
I am happy for my child to take part in the City Varieties Youth Theatre classes and associated
sessions.
I am happy for Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd to use photos, moving image and sound
recordings of my child in press, publicity materials, learning resources, reports and online.
Signed:
Print Name:
Relationship to child:
Date: