At last, we're back!

It's a long time for a blog site to go quiet. Since April, for heaven's sake. But life has been a bit too full to manage blogging on top of the extra work involved in responding to the present financial ouch factor.

The last entry was about the 1812 Theatre Company's production of "The Memory of Water". I'm delighted to say - particularly so, as I was the director - it was a great success. It even made a profit. Most pleasing, though, was the high quality of ensemble acting by the cast, especially of the three sisters and their dead mother.

Even more successful was the Russian Orthodox Choir. So popular were they we had to put on an extra performance on the same day. Lucky for us they were willing to do it. And that sold out too.What a wonderful sound they made. The acoustic of our auditorium was perfect for them.

Heatseeker(theAC/DC Tribute Band) pulled in a keen crowd of fans, as, by way of complete contrast, did the Audience with Michael Mansfield, QC . He was a relaxed and fluent speaker and held his audience with ease. As ever, the Mardi Gras Jazz lunches were popular, and though "The Land Girls of Yorkshire" played to a full house, many in the audience felt it was a disappointingly flat. Maybe the Company had been touring it too long.

The 1812 Youth Theatre production of the world premiere of "Won't Be Long", by Tom Needham (of TV fame) and David Griffiths, was funny and moving and full of excellent performances from individuals in a very big cast. The story of evacuees in World War II

touched many in the audience. And for the first time in their history the company took the show to another venue - in Thornton le Dale, where their performance moved the audience to tears. We were particularly lucky in having sponsorship for this production from the Helmsley Freemasons Lodge No 7075, for which many thanks.

Disappointingly, a number of shows since then haven't done so well, for all that they were excellent entertainment and thoroughly enjoyed by those who did come. Ali Cook and the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, for example. Ali Cook's magic tricks are superbly executed and the puppets outrageously funny. Perhaps the publicity didn't make it clear that "puppets" doesn't necessarily mean "for children". It was definitely a show for adults.

Likewise the usually very popular "Ryedale Live", with its 2nd birthday celebration, brought a smaller than hoped-for audience. But they filled the studio/bar and in a relaxed and appreciative atmosphere, with french doors open to the balmy evening air, they enjoyed some first-class performers .

Actually, the scheduling did load the dice against us more than a bit, what with 10,000 attending the Simply Red concert in Dalby Forest, the Wombleton prom down the road, the World cup on the telly, not to mention the beautiful summer weather.

And I guess the latter plus Wimbledon and the local Steam Fair kept the audiences down for "The Wind in the Willows", though 40 on the first night and 60 on the second was pretty good under the circumstances. Ratatat Theatre Company were on sparkling form in a witty and inventive, high-energy version by Martin Riley, with Dominic Goodwin in his element as Toad.

And what a shame only 32 made it to "Dancing the Ramayana", a beautiful tour-de-force of Kathak(north Indian) dance and music, with the graceful and powerful dancer on the move,

non-stop for an hour and a quarter.

Now then, we hope more of you come to see that exceptionally talented young guitarist, who can play just about any sort of music, Clive Carroll, in the intimacy of the Studio/bar on Saturday 10 July at 7.30pm. Buy your tickets now.

We're very keen that as many of you as possible come to support the incredibly accomplished young players in Ryedale School's award-winning Wind and Jazz Bands on Sunday 11th July at 2.30pm. Buy your tickets now.

And then you mustn't miss the 1812 Theatre Company's latest production of "84 Charing Cross Road" 21st to 24th July at 7.30pm.Buy your tickets now.

Right now we're just putting the finishing touches to our autumn brochure and very soon the whole programme will be in our website and your online booking can start.

Are you aged between 13–21 and interested in theatre?

Do you want to be part of the most dynamic national theatre company for young people? Do you want to make great new friends across the UK? Do you want to do something exciting? Do you want your voice to be heard?

If the answer is "YES!" to any of these questions and you are aged between 13 and 21, the National Youth Theatre, Britain's Premiere youth theatre company is just the place for you!

National Youth Theatre members get to work with some of the best professional writers, directors, designers and technicians from the UK theatre industry so why not join them?

Whether you want to pursue a professional career in the entertainment business or not, the National Youth Theatre can offer you many exciting opportunities to learn new skills, develop your own talents and to have great fun, all of which can be applied to whatever you choose to do in later life.

Why not take this chance to flex your acting or technical muscles and give it a try?

The 2010 Intake Acting and Technical Auditions will take place in February at the Yorkshire Artspace. We are however, open to applications at present, and wish to spread the word about these auditions in Yorkshire.

Applications are now being accepted and the closing date is January 8th (but we do advise individuals to send off applications as early as possible).

WANT TO AUDITION OR INTERVIEW?

Don't worry, it's straightforward, painless and a bit fun.

If you're successful you get invited on a course. After the course you can audition for our productions or join the production team.

Auditions take place up and down the country in local centres in February. But you have to apply NOW!

Nice people run them; it's nothing like X Factor.

Find out more about the National Youth Theatre and apply here.

Is Judi Dench right – are young actors only obsessed with fame?

Wannabe stars don't always understand the importance of theatrical history, but it's showbusiness that's to blame.

So members of the 1812 Youth Theatre ... is Dame Judy (one of the patrons of the Helmsley Arts Centre by the way) correct in her assertion?

Read more and comment below.

1812 Youth Theatre Successes

Old news but worth repeating on the new blog for those who didn't see it first time around.

As reported in the Gazette & Herald (11/06/2009) FOUR talented young thespians from a Ryedale youth theatre group are enjoying stunning success.

The teenagers are all members of 1812 youth theatre group, which meets at Helmsley Arts Centre each week.

Nathaniel Priestley, 19, has been accepted into East 15 acting school in London, Sam Lunn, 18, has won a place on the drama degree course at Manchester Metropolitan University, Polly Gunton, another pupil, is currently acting in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, and Hannah Moody, 15, has just been accepted into the National Youth Theatre.

Claire Lishman, marketing and theatre manager at the Helmsley Arts Centre, said: “I am very proud of the four of them.

“They have all had lead parts in the last four shows we have put on. They have been coming to theatre group for many years, so they very much deserve to go on to bigger things.

“We wish them all the very best in the future and we will miss Sam and Nathaniel, who will not be coming to youth theatre any more.”

Nathaniel, who lives in Nunnington, said: “I’ve been acting all my life, and I started at the 1812 Youth Theatre when I was six or seven.

“The most fun role I have ever had was as Dracula in our youth theatre production of Dracula in spring last year.

“After I finish my course, I want to get a job in acting, but I am not sure if it will be in stage, radio or television. There is a lot out there to discover.”

Sam said: “I joined the youth theatre when I was 12, and ever since then acting has been my passion.

“I’d like to work on theatre or on screen – anything I can do to keep performing.”

Hannah, who lives in Kirkby Knowle, will go on a 12-day course with the National Youth Theatre in London next Easter. Once completed, she will be eligible to act in professional productions.

She said: “I can’t wait. It’ll be really good staying in London, and the course should give me a better idea of whether I want to do acting as a career.”

Polly was unable to comment, as she was busy acting in His Dark Materials, which runs until June 20.