Younger Generation Theatre Group looking for new joiners

The Younger Generation Theatre Group (YG to its friends) is a performing arts club for 9 to 18 year olds.

It was originally started over 30 years ago by Frank Graves, who wanted to set up a stage group for South London children to get the chance to perform on a professional stage. The shows are a similar style to Scouts ‘Gang Shows’. Each year a theme is chosen, then the production team put together a series of numbers that fit the theme.  The show is a team effort: there are no individual stars. All of our cast are ‘Stars’ which is why in our programme we always have the cast in alphabetical order and, in the finale, everyone is dressed the same.

We rehearse the show every Sunday afternoon starting in April, at St Marks Church Hall in Purley

We rehearse the show every Sunday afternoon starting in April, at St Marks Church Hall in Purley, culminating in performing the show in a professional theatre in August. For many years this was Ashcroft Theatre at the Fairfield Halls, but while that was being refurbished we performed at the Harlequin Theatre at Redhill. Next year we are hoping to return to Ashcroft.

The shows include many styles of dance – tap, ballet, street, modern, acro – and a huge variety of genres of music. The show is created depending on the abilities of who we have signed up for the cast that year. Everyone is involved in at least six numbers as we build up the confidence of the young cast. Those involved in YG make life long friendships, and often continue with the group after they turn 18 to be involved as leaders.

YG are affiliated with NODA and received the NODA Flame award for “Outstanding Training for Young People in the Fields of Music and Dance”. We have also received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Over the years we have taken part in The Lord Mayors Parade, the New Years’ Day Parade in London, the Queen Mother’s Birthday Parade and the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

YG are a charity, so we depend on fund raising activities. You may have seen us bag packing in Sainsburys, or running a soft toy tombola at a summer fete. We are also signed up with the Jack Petchey Award Scheme celebrating achievement amongst both the cast and leaders. We make the annual subscription as low as is feasible to cover costs – a fraction of the cost of similar stage school clubs.

Right now, YG are at a bit of a crisis point. We couldn’t perform during the pandemic years and during that time a lot of our core cast members turned 18 and moved away. We are now trying to relaunch, but what we need more than anything else is enthusiastic young people who would like to join us, make some great friendships and show off to their hearts content every Sunday.

If you are, or are the parent, guardian, uncle, aunt, or grandparent of someone who is just itching to get a chance to perform on a stage, please have a look at our website www.youngergeneration.co.uk where you will find a link to videos of some our performances. Use the online form to contact us, find us on Facebook and Instagram, or if you prefer ring Diane on 07966 500628 who can answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.