ONE of Barnsley’s oldest youth theatre groups has been getting young people on the stage for decades.
The Lamproom Youth Theatre Ensemble can trace its origins all the way back to June 4, 1923, with the creation of the Barnsley Children’s Choral Society.
Since then, it has survived the Second World War and the closure of its one-time home, Barnsley’s Globe Theatre, to keep the arts accessible to the young.
Now based at Westgate’s Lamproom Theatre, LYTEs’ chairman John Kelly thought it was important the group keeps the same decades-old constitution as a means of keeping its theatrical heritage alive.
Since the group reformed in 2002, it has staged two shows a year. Alongside the LampLYTErs, a sub-group formed to cater for the younger end of those interested, they have put on more than 50 shows.
John said: “Our first show was in February 2002 and was called LYTE Entertainment. It was a showcase designed to let every kid who turned up have something to do, and we had about 65. As is natural 20 of them didn’t come back. But the 45 members we did have grew from there, and since then we have always done two shows a year in spring and autumn.
The LYTEs have performed shows from Les Miserables, The Mikado, West Side Story to We Will Rock You over the years.
“We have had hundreds of kids perform at the Lamproom and get their first taste of theatre, some of who have gone on to do wonderful things and a lot do still keep in touch,” John said.
“We have Laura Pick, who is in Wicked in the West End, Jack Land Noble who is working in panto as well as a lot of his own stuff, singing and writing. Abigail Weigold is the lead singer for a major cruise line.
“And my own daughter Grace has been in some TV productions, most recently of which was Love, Lies and Records.
“It was never a case of doing it so we could have people who would go on to do things like this. It was doing it so young people had the opportunity to meet people, make new friendships and find out who and what they would like to be on stage.
“Back in 2001 there was very little else happening in town. Now there are plenty of youth societies.
“When we started we wanted to create opportunities for any kids who wanted to perform, whether they were good or bad, to be able to do so with no auditions. We also made sure subs were as cheap as possible so as not to preclude anyone.
“Early on we gained the nickname ‘the People’s Theatre’ and we want to live up to that. The committee, backstage hands are all volunteers and the only paid person is the occasional director we have in - and we have had some very good ones. At the moment it is Louise Armitage who is brilliant.”
The LYTEs caters to anyone aged eight to around 18 after the merge of LampLYTErs and LYTEs. Many then go on to join the adult Lamproom Theatre or Lamproom Musical Theatre Companies.
“It is lovely to be nominated and in another five years, technically, we will be 100 years old.”
The LYTEs have just performed Annie at the beginning of February and are planning another for early July.
Anyone interested in joining need to be eight or more and give their name and contact details into the Lamproom box office.
