Matthew's 2025 in Review Blog

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This year at Yew Tree has been yet again another filled with joy collaboration and many surprises. My year began with getting back to connections rehearsals for Mia and the fish in which I played the antagonist Paz alongside Alfie Cowburn a great friend and talented actor, through our rehearsals the play developed drastically, going from a story of struggle, climate action and companionship to something that we were proud to perform as our own piece. 

It was also this year in which I took my grade 8 acting exam where I performed and answered questions on pieces from Comet, Henry V and Equus, a great challenge but one that I was proud to pass with distinction. In gold company it was a great pleasure to take part in the story of the Trojan war as long Priam, with many people in the company having only just joined or moving up to gold recently it was amazing to see people come into their own, overcome challenges and become part of the company.

It was also at this time that I was granted the privilege to perform in the black company summer play Breezeblock Park by Willy Russell, the story of a seemingly happy working class family who have their faults revealed through a series of events launched by the surprise pregnancy of Betty’s daughter Sandra. The play was a great success despite some setbacks in rehearsals and received many wonderful reviews whilst also being something we as a cast could enjoy too. 

My final performance of the year was in ‘When Robins Appear’ which was black company’s Christmas play and its heartwarming take was a wonderful note to end Yew Tree Youth Theatre’s 30th birthday on, an event I am so privileged to have been a part of.

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