About Summer Youth Project
Following the recent government advice to stay at home and the suspension of a number of events at the Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre, we are very sad to announce that we have had to make the difficult decision to suspend this year’s summer youth project Fame the Musical.
As you can imagine, our summer youth project production is an extraordinary undertaking involving over 150 participants each year alongside all the creative and technical teams. They all work incredibly hard to produce a first-class project and show. Professional production values are paramount and given the uncertain timescales from the government; we simply won’t have the time this year to plan and prepare a project of the high-quality we pride ourselves on.
We hope to ring the college bell again in 2021 subject to license agreements and will be touch with you again when we are in a position to confirm our plans.
Thank you for your support and understanding at this difficult time and we hope to see you at the theatres again very soon.
Take care and stay safe
Wyvern Theatre Team
The first Summer Youth Project took place at the Wyvern Theatre in 1994 with Bugsy Malone and was one of the first community ventures of its kind in the local area. Since then it has become an annual tradition and many young people have been involved in the Projects over the years.
The aim of Summer Youth Project is to provide up to 200 youngsters aged 9 – 21 with the opportunity to work together in a professional theatre. The two week project culminates in five performances of a full-scale musical under the supervision of a highly skilled creative team including a professional Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Musicians and Technical team all in less than 2 weeks!
The scheme has evolved, getting bigger and brighter every year; it provides local children with a unique opportunity to take an active interest in the performing arts and is a good foundation for those wishing to further their careers in this field. Several previous Project members have gone on to study at theatre and dance schools and have successful careers both on stage and backstage. As well as being actively involved in the arts, it helps our young cast build confidence, develop learning skills, unite with a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, have fun in an imaginative and creative environment, and of course, make lots of new friends! Summer Youth Project provides a crucial artistic outlet for children during the summer holidays – ensuring they are kept entertained, off the streets and out of trouble.
Over the two week project the Wyvern comes alive to the sound of children, working incredibly hard learning their lines, rehearsing songs and practicing dance routines, all with an enthusiasm and dedication that is unprecedented. Year-on-year we receive praise for the high standards that the show ultimately produces with such a young cast and crew.
Previous Productions
1994
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Bugsy Malone
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1995
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Annie
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1996
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42nd Street
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1997
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My Fair Lady
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1998
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Oliver!
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1999
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Me and My Girl
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2000
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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2001
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Crazy For You
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2002
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West Side Story
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2003
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Fame
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2004
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The Sound of Music
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2005
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Guys and Dolls
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2006
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Annie
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2007
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No Show
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2008
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Oliver!
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2009
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Boogie Nights
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2010
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The Wizard of Oz
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2011
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Anything Goes
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2012
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West Side Story
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2013
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Our House
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2014
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Bugsy Malone
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2015
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Hairspray
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2016
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Grease
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2017
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Summer Holiday
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2018
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Oliver!
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2019
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
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2020
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FAME the Musical (suspended)
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