reviews
W Watson
13:11 24 Aug 22
Summer highlights for me have been the wonderful Shakespeare weeks with the Young Actors Group. This year I played... Malvolio in a circus themed Twelfth Night. It was amazing to work with director Luke and share his vision. He certainly helped stretch me. I also very much enjoyed Holly's Charleston dance.Each year I very much look forward to reading Ben Murry-Watson's script, which always has some witty additions to the orginal. This year I had a lot of fun talking to myself in a mirror, completely failing to do handstands and cartwheels and chasing Malvolio's tricksters around the auditorium.These productions really bring joy and fun to Shakespeare. Most people's introduction to Shakespeare is preparing for an exam, pouring over a text that was meant to be performed not read. To make a Harry Potter analogy: it is like comparing Umbridge's philosophy of education to actually being allowed to perform the magic of Shakespeare. And Brighton Open Air Theatre is such a special place to perform.read more
Stephen Lowe Watson
12:22 24 Aug 22
Our young actor Wilfrid Watson has had a whole series of great experiences with Young Actors Group's summer Shakespeare... productions at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT). The YAG productions are friendly and a fun mix of Shakespeare and modern text with interpretations that really appeal to young people. Here is Wilfrid as Malvolio (Twelfth NIght 2022), Macbeth (2021), Caliban (The Tempest 2019), Charles King of France (Henry V 2018) and Hastings (Richard III 2017). The intensive week-long courses ending in a public performance at BOAT really instilled a love of Shakespeare in Wilfrid, who has gone on to tread the boards with the Shakespeare's Globe Young Company.read more
Paul Harvey
07:41 24 Aug 22
My 12 year old son attended the summer drama camp. They put on a amazingly polished performance of Twelfth Night at the... Brighton Open Air Theatre after just a week of rehearsals. And my son loved it - no prodding him out of the door each morning.read more
Arlo Kearns
12:37 27 Jul 22
A little background on me first: I’m Arlo, I’m 17 years old and I use a wheelchair as I suffer from Cerabel Palsy.I... have just completed my first term at YAG and my first ever term of acting for that matter. I participate in Aaron Tonka’ Saturday evening class in Kemptown. From the moment that I walked into my first group, I felt right at home and I was blown away with the teaching, the inclusion and the overall posterity of the group. As a teenager living with a disability, I can find it hard to be included and involved but YAG has shown me that if I throw myself into something void of fear, I will reap the rewards.Very highly recommendread more
Helen Peters
11:21 16 Nov 21
My daughter was warmly welcomed into the YAG Advancers Group and felt at home immediately, despite the other group... members having worked together for some time. She has thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and always comes out in a great mood. She has enjoyed creating characters, improvising, and developing her comic acting skills. She is really happy in this group.read more
Mick Cooper
14:58 01 Nov 21
YAG do some amazing work with young people. My kids have all been in YAG for years and have learnt so much from it,... both personally and in their dramatic work. Has been an integral part of their lives and such a valuable contribution to their growth into adulthood..read more
Andrea Mills
18:06 27 Oct 21
My daughter - 5 - absolutely LOVES this group. It’s the highlight of her week.
Helga Starup Williams
15:46 08 Jul 21
This acting group is just an amazing place. After trying a few more “commercial acting/drama clubs” we ended up here,... and not looked back.My daughter has come so far with her acting. The teachers are inspiring, but most of all they take it seriously. This has resulted in my daughter ending up with a scholarship in acting at a great secondary school. She loves this group, and it has helped her progress and have fun at the same time.Big shout out to Luke who is a brilliant teacher. At this place the kids gets taken seriously, and it’s not just a money machine, small groups and loads of directions ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read more
Clare Levine
14:58 08 Jul 21
My daughter loves coming to the Sessions and has made lots of friends there. Everyone has been so friendly and... welcoming and she is made to feel a valuable member of the group. Luke makes the sessions really good fun with warm up games to start so they are relaxed and happy. My daughter’s confidence in acting has really grown since she has been attending and she has really enjoyed taking part in the end of year play. We have tried out a few acting classes and this is the first one that she has truly enjoyed. The teaching is outstanding and everyone is valued and encouraged to be the best they can be. Very Highly recommended.read more
RJBA
19:27 27 Aug 20
Absolutely professional and incredible experience. Extremely talented teachers and outstanding lessons. Not only are... the staff helpful but also kind. You will not regret signing up to YAGread more
Sarah Bullen
08:23 26 Aug 20
Hi ! My name is Helena and I am a 15 year old young actor. I joined YAG when I was 10 and have loved it ever since. ... The highlight of the year for me is our Shakespeare play which we perform at BOAT after a week of rehearsals. It's totally AMAZING and one of the best things about my summer holidays. We have just performed Midsummer Night's Dream and I loved every minute. Thank you Ben, Luke, Aaron and Holly, you're the best!read more
Suki Stephens
18:00 25 Aug 20
My son took part in the week long Summer camp, rehearsing and culminating in an outdoor performance at BOAT. Coming... from a professional Theatrical background myself, I can honestly say I was blown away by the talent of the kids involved, the quality of the work, and how tight and well rehearsed they all were, in addition to how much they clearly were enjoying themselves. My son loved his week and will definitely be doing more with YAG at the earliest opportunity. They are a great team and really care about the young actors, bringing out the best in them.read more
Emma Davies
18:25 24 Aug 20
Both my children did 'Make a Movie' week with Aaron. They had a great time (and can sniff out a summer activity camp a... mile off). When asked if they would do it again, there was no hesitation before they said yes. Thank you YAG.read more
rochelle Gosling
13:41 15 Aug 20
My son recently enjoyed a wonderful week-long workshop putting together The Greatest Showman. Holly was both... inspirational and fun and, as a parent, I felt 100% confident that the children were in good hands, both with respect to Covid safety and with respect to learning and having fun. I would highly recommend YAG for both workshops and weekly courses.read more
Harriet Price
08:29 15 Aug 20
My daughter had a fabulous week doing Greatest Showman in a week. She came back each day inspired and very... enthusiastic. It seems that each child's talents and abilities were drawn out in a very friendly and comfortable setting. She's come back with lots of new friends and a spring in her step. The organisation also followed Covid guidelines clearly and effectively. Thank you Young Actors Group!read more
Helen Pennington
07:45 15 Aug 20
My daughter attended a summer holiday workshops and loved every minute! Young Actors Group are a very friendly and... welcoming group and made sure everyone had the chance to shine in the performance. Will definitely do more workshops with them!read more
Lisa Westbury
14:34 10 Aug 20
Ben, Holly and the team created a safe and thoroughly enjoyable experience for our children this summer holiday. They... were sensitive to the COVID guidelines, whilst ensuring the children had fun and a much needed opportunity to express themselves through musical theatre. Their performance of the Greatest Showman was a real tear-jerker. Luckily my kids couldn't see much of the tears running down my cheeks!read more
Daniel Staniforth
17:14 25 Feb 20
I have been consistently impressed by the standards of show that this group puts on. The professionalism they are able... to inculcate into their students and the end result are both excellent! The students really believe in what they're doing and to be having great fun while doing it, too!read more
