In less than three years, Tread the Boards Youth Music Theatre has become one of the most respected theatre companies in the area. The organisation was officially formed in May 2002 by its artistic directors Brian and Agnes Boardman. The husband and wife team had previously presented successful children's theatre productions in Dundee of Bugsy Malone (2000) and The Wizard Of Oz (2001) when part of Thomson-Leng Musical Society.
With over 60 years' involvement in amateur theatre between them, Brian and Agnes have spent much of the past eight years directing children of all ages. More recently, they have gained valuable professional experience working with children, travelling all over the UK as part of the pastoral team with the National Youth Music Theatre and the newly-formed Youth Music Theatre: UK.
A committee made up of parents and one senior member of the company assist in running the business side of Tread the Boards. Chaperones are in attendance at rehearsals and performances and all have undergone volunteer screening.
The company received rave reviews for its inaugural show The Spirit Of Youth presented in the Gardyne Theatre November 2002. This was followed in 2003 with sell-out performances of the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Rodgers and Hammerstein favourite Oklahoma!. In 2004 the pantomime Beauty and the Beast and a revised production of The Spirit Of Youth and the school edition of the musical phenomenon Les Misérables also attracted capacity audiences.
Tread the Boards YMT is committed to producing high quality musical theatre entertainment that is accessible to all the family. The company presented the hugely-popular RSC version of The Wizard Of Oz in January 2005 and also its 3rd anniversary production Annie in May and the Lambeth Walk musical Me and My Girl in September — all in the Gardyne Theatre.
The year 2006 kicked off with performances of the pantomime Hansel and Gretel in January. The company then performed the newly-released Summer Holiday in May and a double-header in September - 4 performances of the play Blood Brothers and 3 performances of the musical revue The Spirit Of Youth, featuring an entirely new programme.
In 2007, the society performed the hilariously funny pantomime The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe in January, a sell-out production of Disney’s High School Musical in May, and will perform the school edition of Les Misérables at the Whitehall Theatre in September.
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