Burnley Youth Theatre

Burnley Youth Theatre (2005)

Burnley Youth Theatre is a youth theatre at the heart of the community in Burnley, Lancashire. Generally established in 1973 it has created shows, tours and performances, including new and existing work. Working with young people from 0 to 18 (up to 25 with LDD), the theatre operates from its purpose built theatre just next to Queens Park, it was the first purpose built youth theatre in the UK, and opened its doors in 2005.

Activities include drama workshops, dance workshops, production auditions, volunteering for front of house or technical duties, and working towards a qualification such as the Arts Award. These sessions run weekly alongside, education projects, work in the community and a range of arts-based activities. The theatre also works with a range of young people in outreach activities and partake in community cohesion work in Burnley.

Inside the Quarry Theatre

History[]

Evolving from the Inter-Schools' Drama Group which formed in September 1972, Burnley Youth Theatre came into its own in 1973, formally establishing its own constitution in April 1974. It is now considered one of the best youth theatres in the country. In 1978 the organisation moved onto its current site and worked from two huts / sheds. In 1983 as part of the government's Youth Opportunities Programme, one shed was converted into a theatre which opened in September 1983. The shed was named the Quarry Theatre, because the theatre sat on the edge of the disused Bank Hall Colliery quarry site. The theatre remains on the same site today.

BYT (as Burnley Youth Theatre is affectionally known) depended on volunteers to ensure the successful running of the organisation. However, in 1986, BYT employed its first part-time Artistic Director, Anthony Preston. On average, the theatre developed and delivered 6 to 10 shows annually at that time.

In 1997, the organisation took on its first full time worker, Jacky Riddell and worked towards the development of a range of activities, and the development of Burnley Youth Theatre as a charity and a company limited by guarantee. This meant that the organisation could begin to explore other means of generating funds. In 1999 it was given RFO status, and began receiving public funds.

In 2001 Lisa O'Neill became the first youth arts worker, and began working more extensively in the community, ensuring that young people who would not normally attend the youth theatre were able to benefit from the work that went on there. Throughout this period, a colossal effort was made to raise funds to develop a new building. In 2004, these efforts began to take shape. The organisation was awarded lottery funding and money from NWDA and the building began in earnest, with the new theatre opening its' doors in June 2005. Volunteer Alan Daiches who had previously worked at Burnley Leisure was instrumental, along with Moira Preston and Board of Directors Chair Andrew Walker, in building a permanent home for Burnley Youth Theatre. In recognition of his service the theatre studio was named 'The Alan Daiches Studio' in his honour.

Moira Preston Building[]

In 2013 the old Burnley Youth Theatre building (the Quarry Theatre) was demolished and permission was given to build a second building with additional rehearsal space. The building officially opened on 29 March, 2014 as The Moira Preston Building. This was in honour of Moira Preston who volunteered almost forty years of her life to the organisation.

Artistic Directors[]

Gordon Simms - Artistic Director [1972 – 1974] Mick Dawson - Artistic Director [1974 – 1986] Anthony Preston - Artistic Director [1986 – 1997] Gillian Longdon – Co. Artistic Director [1986 – 1987] Heather Barclay - Associate Artistic Director [1987 – 1991] Nick Maynard Associate Artistic Director [1991 – 1997] Jacky Riddell - Artistic Director [1997 – 2005] Lisa O’Neill - Associate Artistic Director [2005 – 2006] Andrew Raffle - Artistic Director [2005 – 2009] Mandy Precious - Artistic Director [2009 – 2014] Karen Metcalfe (née Barnes) - Artistic Director [2014 – (maternity leave 2019 – 2020 & 2021 - 2022) present] Louise Harney – Interim Artistic Director [2019] Anthony Preston – Interim Artistic Director [2019 – 2020]