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On the 22 & 23 April, 2008 some 46 Youth Class Members of Dewsbury Arts Group presented their Annual showcase of productions at Batley Town Hall. The Classes, which are open to young people interested in performing on stage from the age of eleven upwards, are held at the Groups Lower Peel Street premises on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. This years showcase consisted of three one act plays.

The First Year Class presented a production of “Kenneth” by David Foxton. In a series of short and poignant scenes the character of Kenneth is created by what others relate. Kenneth is a pathetic and abused child who ultimately is ‘forgotten’ in tragic circumstances. The play was directed by Alex Lindley, a local schoolteacher who, himself, was a former member of the Youth Classes.

The Second Year Class presented a lively and colourful production of a new play by Chris Fletcher - “The Fellowship of the Sheep”. Chris is also a former member of the Youth Classes who has now progressed to directing productions within the Arts Group’s main programme. “The Fellowship of the Sheep” brought together various Nursery Rhyme characters in a very modern way and gave the young performers the opportunity to show the considerable acting skills which thy have learned at the Classes, but also their expertise in stage dancing.

For the Third Year Class, this was their second opportunity to perform their production of David Foxton’s play “Ambush”. The Group had previously presented the play as part of the Group’s main programme during their regular presentation of One Act Plays performed last February. Directed by Mark Bailey, “Ambush” concerns a group of young ‘freedom fighters’ who apparently take refuge in a stately home. They have been ambushed on their way to attack some kind of military outpost. However, by the end of the play we discover that all the group had been killed in the fighting and that the Stately Home is the ‘halfway house’ between this and the next life. This was a play dealing with very adult themes but which was presented by the young cast in a very sympathetic and understanding way.

Anyone interested in joining the Classes for the next season, which will start in September, should contact Judith Wood on 01924 464073

Apart from the Youth Class Productions, Dewsbury Arts Group has been very busy with other matters during the past few days. On Friday, 18th April, some 150 members and guests attended a Dinner at Dewsbury Town Hall, to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the formation of the Group. All those attending enjoyed an excellent evening which was rounded off by dancing to the “L. A. Big Band”

On Saturday, 26th April, the Arts Group’s production of “Mirage” by David Foxton won the North East Divisional Final of the All England Theatre Festival, held at Saltburn, and Arts Group member, Carol Ward, won the award for Best Performance. The production now goes forward to the Northern Final to be held in Preston on 24th May 2008.