A must-see new show inspired by the BAFTA-winning iconic documentary series Educating Yorkshire is heading to the Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax from 5-7 August 2022.
British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) is bringing to life a musical theatre version of the famous documentary series in their exhilarating and must-see new show Educating Yorkshire – T’ Musical. Ellie Jones directs the show and she is joined in the creative team by musical director Josh Kemp, choreographer Ash Mukherjee and designer Verity Johnson.
Composer Adam Howell and writer Paul Hurt said: “The television documentary series of Educating Yorkshire was both extremely funny and unbelievably sad, something we think is essential for creating terrific theatre – and if music and songs that underline, highlight and accentuate the characters and their stories are introduced into the mix then there is the possibility of creating something really special!
“Educating Yorkshire – T’ Musical has a core of real heart and invites us into a community where we observe the pains and joys of the transition from childhood to young adulthood; and we can identify with the children and the teachers and care about what is happening to them. It has universality because everybody has been to school and can empathise with these characters and their lives.
“We experience the ups and downs of life at the as if we were actually there and witness and feel the intensity, the unhappiness and the love – as if it was happening to us.
“A great musical must have a compelling story – Educating Yorkshire – T’ Musical has several – and it is our investment in these stories and situations that take us mentally and emotionally into the heart of the musical.
“What struck us most of all and most importantly for our intentions – is that our musical has tremendous humanity and great heart – something we feel is crucial for the success of a project of this nature. We hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed working on it!”
Every year BYMT goes on their National Auditions tour across the country to find new incredible young talent and to gather a new creative bunch of young individuals dreaming about performing arts to work alongside their professional creative team and star in their musicals. This year BYMT put in a lot of effort to research the Yorkshire area and to scout for local young talent to take part in this show.
One of the participants, 18-year-old Olivia, from Bingley, says: “Last summer I took part in the BYMT project The Night the War Ended – a life changing experience making friends I’m still visiting a year later.
“I am hugely excited to be part of a musical theatre production about Yorkshire as it’s where I’m from and I am proud to represent my authenticity as a Northerner on stage. I’m eager to raise the northern voices in theatre. I have seen the Educating Yorkshire documentary and I expect the show to present the struggles teenagers face at this age during education and the dedication teachers have towards the students’ success, not only academically but their success of self-discovery as people in a modern society.
“As previously mentioned, from last year I am still in touch with cast members from BYMT and we have started to collaborate in creating our own scripts and stories. I’m excited to see how the wonderful cast of Educating Yorkshire – T’ Musical will collaborate on this amazing project and go on to create in the future!”
Another young participant, Emily, 19, from Leeds, reveals her expectations: “As a Yorkshire lass born and bred, I’m rite chuffed to be involved. Hopefully, the show will demonstrate that the North is not as grim as Southern folk would have us 
believe! From having a sneak preview of the material at the casting workshop, I’m quite confident that it’ll be packed with the humour and heart of the series, remaining loyal to the best-loved moments and characters that feature in them. I’m sure we’ll see new faces too which is very exciting.
“Having taken part in BYMT’s Cabaret Macabre last year, I was determined to feature in another show with them. To be surrounded by such talent and kindness makes putting on a show in two weeks almost a stress-free event! And alongside putting on a show together and sleeping, who’d have thought that there would be any time to learn?! But there is, so much that I’ve learnt and am yet to learn on this show about others and myself, as performers and as humans. I’m lucky enough to be going off to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama this coming year to study BA Musical Theatre and feel so grateful to BYMT for giving me an insight into the industry and making me more passionate about and committed to what I already love to do.”
Educating Yorkshire – T’ Musical runs at Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax from 5-7 August 2022. The tickets are now on sale. Join BYMT for all the laughs, the songs and the joy in this unmissable moving musical portrayal filled with astonishing vocals and evocative dancing and providing a heart-warming and entertaining look into a transformative period in young people’s lives.
- Educating Yorkshire is produced in association with Twofour Broadcast Ltd who created the original TV series and is supported by Arts Council England and the teacher’s union the NASUWT.
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