What's happening at YTYT

So tonight feels a little bit rubbish...I shall tell you why…at this time of the evening for the last 3 nights…it’s all been kicking off…the heroes of Sparkleshark have just been about to go into battle which means I’m about to get to watch 5 minutes of theatrical mayhem before a brilliant story comes to it’s heart warming end…and before this utterly engaging scene I have had the privilege to listen to a brave and inspiring twenty minute monologue by one of three talented actors and been introduced to the worlds of nine characters who I can pretty much guarantee will stay with me forever…and that’s both versions of them…on top of that I’ve got to spend time with some of the most inspiring, creative and talented young people I know and work alongside the brilliant team I am lucky to have at Yew Tree…it’s not hard to see why I’m more than sad that it’s all over… Luckily there is a little ray of light visible to combat the loss I feel at the end of the run…in a little over two weeks I get...

This was waiting for me when I got home...and almost...almost made me cry...Emma Fretwell reports in on her Yew Tree dominated Birthday... Fantastic day. Sparkleshark; what can I say? I’ve had the best time ever. And today was the best day. For starters, it was my birthday! I couldn’t have spent it in a better way. I went to the Crimson Company and we had cake and they sang to me. Stayed for news, but then had to buzz off to Sparkleshark! Oh it was amazing. Had a really nice sausage roll too. But anyway, everything got underway and the ball was rolling at top speed. I was doing Karamazoo in the matinee, so I sat on stage waiting for the house lights to go down. Seriously, last night, I was bricking it. Kept waking up and thinking ‘It’s my birthday. Oh my gosh, Karamazoo!’ So I was sat on stage all worried…. Then the lights were in my face. When I realised that actually I couldn’t see, I wasn’t nervous anymore. I did better than I thought I possibly could, which pleased me no end, and m...

Holly with her review of a certain YTYT production: Sparkleshark - where do I start? It was absolutely amazing! I went in not really knowing what to expect, I mean, all yew tree productions are immense, but I'd never seen a connections one before. Now, I'm gonna try and write a review of it, so here we go... Right, I'll start with the actors. I loved all the characters, and the actors played them so well that, maybe it's just me but you kinda felt like you knew them? Everyone knows a geek, a 'turbo dream babe' and 'the popular girl', and this play had it all. Each actor had their own little bit to bring to the part as well. Which is always good :) The set was dead impressive. It actually did give you a feel of a neglected, forgotten about roof-top. It was as though every little detail had been thought about, which it probably had - the trolley, satellites and even just pizza boxes - really made a good scene. The last thing to point out is that this play ...

This week I have been thinking about…well many things really…it has been the week of all things Sparkleshark…but one of the things that has been at the front of my mind is that million dollar question of what makes good acting… I think this week broke once and for all the myth that, “You either have it or you don’t,” to quote a valued and veteran member of the company. This week has been testament to the fact that good acting comes from thought, courage and graft…it’s a fine balance of bravery, intelligence, instinct and responsiveness… with a pretty good shot of discipline and consideration too. The cast members who have really invested in the Sparkleshark process and the play have really seen their hard work pay off and it’s been a joy to behold. I think it’s important at this point to acknowledge what has been achieved in the last week or so…6 different performances well on their way to being pieces of theatre with class…the trick now is to continue the journey despite not being a...