Yn Draamey is a new youth theatre project for Isle of Man's performing arts students.

Pronounced ’In Drama’, it is the Manx expression meaning ’The Theatre’.

Yn Draamey was expressly created for students aged 13 to 21 years, offering young people in the island the opportunity to be part of an independent, professional theatre company.

The project is engaging professional directors, writers and designers to create performance opportunities for any young person interested in making a career in theatre, or who simply loves performing for fun.

The company is the brainchild of Nicola Openshaw, Isle of Man co-ordinator; Susannah Maybury, artistic director, and Colette Hughes, drama advisor.

Susannah Maybury said: ’We felt that the island would benefit from a young people’s performance company which was not connected to any particular performing arts school. In this way, all students can be welcomed and encouraged without any fear of disloyalty to the school in which they are currently enrolled.’

Susannah went on: ’Each new production is a stand alone project. We start each new show with an entirely new cast, chosen through an audition process by off-island guest directors who have no previous knowledge of the auditionees. This ensures a completely fair and unbiased selection process, based purely on individual talents and skills.

’Our launch project is ’The Witches’ by Roald Dahl, the ever-popular tale of a young boy’s terrifying adventure whilst on holiday in Bournemouth.’

The Witches is directed by renowned director Scott Le Crass. Scott was chosen on the strength of his production of ’The Witches’, performed at Watford’s Palace Theatre in November last year by The Palace Young Company, and because of his impressive portfolio of diverse theatre successes, including ’The Importance of Being Ernest’, ’Macbeth’ and ’The Killing of Sister George’.

Scott is running a ’Witches’ Workshop’ on June 16 between 10am-4pm for all students aged eight to 21 years, and auditions on June 17 and 18 for Yn Draamey’s production of ’The Witches’ which takes place at the Gaiety Theatre Douglas on March 21, 2020.

Susannah said: ’All students who participate in the workshop will be given the opportunity to be part of the production regardless of whether they pass the audition process as we have an additional devised piece to precede the show.

’We welcome all Isle of Man theatre professionals who are interested in being part of the Yn Draamey Youth Theatre Project and encourage all enquiries.

’Everyone is welcome.’

â?¢ The workshop costs £25 and auditions cost £1. Both can be booked through Theatrix, who are temporarily acting as agents for Yn Draamey, at http;//www.theatrix.biz/shop.

Auditions are restricted to students aged 13-21 years.

Your can also find out more on the Facebook page YnDraamey.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers