Whetstone Drama Youth Group

The Whetstone Drama Youth Group has over 40 young members with the age ranging from 5 - 18 years. Several members of our talented youth group have been involved with other productions with Whetstone Drama or other theatre societies within Leicester or Leicestershire when the opportunity arose.

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Whetstone Drama’s Youth Group was born in 2006, under the direction of one of our founding members: Norma Lawrence and her son Paul. The youth groups first full production was the successful ‘ Annie ’ in the February. The following year, the youth group then performed ‘ The Dracula Rock Show ’, following this in 2008 they then performed ‘ Blood Brothers ’. In 2009 they performed ‘ Hood ’ in the June. In 2011 the youth group were back and performed ‘ From West End to Broadway ’. After this in early 2012 they performed ‘ Aladdin ’. In 2013, the youth group were directed for the last time by Norma and Paul and this production of ‘ My Boy Jack ’ was one to remember! It even went on tour around the surrounding villages in the churches.

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During the same year Sandra Sutcliffe became the youth lead and directed a reimagined and entertaining version of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory called ‘ The Five Golden Tickets ’. The youth group were then invited to join and be a part of the bi annual event ‘ The Whetstone Christmas Variety Show. ’ This was a great success, and the audiences were thoroughly entertained.

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​The youth group were soon back on stage in 2014 for their next production of Ian Fleming’s favourite ‘ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ’. This Production was a sell out too. Delightful characters, and wonderful performances made this a production to remember. In 2015 the group started to work on a Charles Dicken’s classic ‘ Oliver! ’. This production had it all, singing, dancing, drama and suspense.

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In 2018, Whetstone Drama’s Youth Group, was directed by one of Whetstone Dramas new directors: Ben Cutler-Thomas. Ben chose to direct a play that would not only challenge the children but also, the set team and technical team too. He took us on a journey down the yellow brick road to see ‘ The Wizard of Oz! ’. This production ran for 4 nights and set a new standard for the drama group as whole!

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In 2019 the youth group took the lead in a brand new musical written by our very own Mel Wale ‘ The Blitz Club ’. This production was a great success and one of our youth members won Best Youth performance in the 2020 NANDA Awards. This production was directed by Carrie Peters.

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In 2020 Sandra started rehearsals for ‘ Charlie and The Chocolate Factory ’, but sadly in March 2020 th world was turned upside down and the United Kingdom was put into the first lockdown due to Covid-19. Then in 2021, we were finally given the roadmap back to normality and given the green light to reopen. The trustees started to work hard on the reopening! And we reopened! The youth group finally performed ‘ Charlie and The Chocolate Factory ’ to an actual live audience once more. It was truly spectacular!

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This year in 2022, Whetstone Drama celebrated their Diamond Anniversary - 60 years of Whetstone Theatre! The youth group were included within the 60th Anniversary Production - Oklahoma!

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In 2023 the Youth Group are