MSP impressed by Scottish Youth Theatre talent

12.00.00am GMT Mon 15th Feb 2010

Young people from the Scottish Youth Theatre met with Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown when he visited the Youth Theatre's impressive facilities at the Old Sheriff Court in Ingram Street, Glasgow last week.

The Scottish Youth Theatre takes children from as young as 3, both in Glasgow, and in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and under outreach arrangements with schools up and down Scotland. The courses range from weekly classes to specialist classes and courses and to the well attended Summer Festival. At Easter, the Scottish Youth Theatre will be performing its own production of "the Ugly Duckling". Other productions have been as diverse as "Hamlet", "The Hidden Treasures", and "Pinocchio".

Patrons of the Scottish Youth Theatre include Blythe Duff, Billy Boyd, Richard Wilson, Elaine C. Smith and Emma Thompson.

Robert Brown said:

"I was enormously impressed by the young people who were all enormously outgoing and engaging - to say nothing of hugely talented. They showed me round the Old Sheriff Court premises with huge pride and I was able to hear some of their individual stories. Some hope to go on to careers in theatre and drama, while, for others, it is an enjoyable hobby which also helps them develop their talents.

The SYT came to the Scottish Parliament a few weeks ago and everyone who saw them perform thought they were absolutely great.

A number of Glasgow schools were visited by SYT in 2008 including Bellahouston Academy, Castlemilk Youth Complex, the Chinese Community Development Association, Holyrood High School, John Paul Academy, Our Lady's High School and Rosshall Academy.

The Scottish Youth Theatre is a huge success story for Scotland and the young people who take part are its best advertisement."

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