Scotland is distinguished by its special relationship with the arts. Everything related to creativity is highly valued there. That is why numerous organisations do everything possible to promote talent and, of course, provide them with opportunities for self-realisation. More at edinburgh-trend.
The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) is a British organisation that provides pre-professional education and performance opportunities in musical theatre. The NYMT is also unique in that it actively collaborates with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, showcasing interesting productions during the event.
Early years and rapid success
The NYMT was founded in 1976 by its creator, Jeremy James Taylor. The event was marked by the premiere of a fascinating production, The Ballad of Salomon Pavey.
This work was later presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it was highly acclaimed, winning a Scotsman Fringe First award.
It is fair to say that the NYMT has been a regular participant in the festival ever since. The musicals representing the company were performed by children, including works like Helen Come Home, or Achilles the Heel and Tin Pan Ali, or The Sesame Street Racket.
Interestingly, the company was originally called the Children’s Musical Theatre. It was only in 1985 that the name was changed to The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT). At the same time, the organisation added outreach workshops to its activities.
The flagship production
In 1986, during The Edinburgh International Festival, the organisation presented The Ragged Child. This show would go on to become one of NYMT’s flagship productions. Its success was incredible, and audiences received the work enthusiastically.
The result was so outstanding that it was this production the NYMT took on tour in 1998.
Further successes
1990 was marked by the performance of October’s Children at the International Festival, which also proved to be quite successful. And in 1994, the work Pendragon was honoured with a Scotsman Fringe First Award.
As a result, by 2003, the NYMT had presented a total of 53 productions at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Funding problems
It is hard to disagree that the financial component is a vital part of any organisation’s operation. In the case of NYMT, it was funded by private sponsors for many years.
For many years, NYMT’s main source of funding was private sponsorship, initially from the Nationwide Building Society and later from Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as grants from the Department for Education and Skills and the Arts Council of England.
When these sponsorship infusions ended in 1999, the organisation’s financial situation deteriorated significantly. By early 2002, it was operating at a considerable loss and was under serious threat of closure.
In the autumn of 2003, NYMT had to suspend its theatre company’s activities to avoid bankruptcy. In addition, many staff members were made redundant.
However, despite this difficult situation, the organisation continued to operate, focusing primarily on workshops and an active search for alternative funding.
A long-awaited recovery
When the company finally managed to clear all its debts in October 2005, it officially announced its relaunch. This event was accompanied by a lavish Royal Charity Gala.
In addition, the organisation began collaborating with a theatre troupe, though they primarily staged excerpts from musicals.
From 2006, NYMT returned to staging full-scale productions.
Celebrations and major projects
In April 2012, the company celebrated its 35th anniversary. A special concert was staged for the occasion, featuring some NYMT alumni who had gone on to find success in acting careers.
August 2012 was marked by a collaboration with Jason Robert Brown for the musical 13. The resulting production was highly successful and repeatedly sold out.
In 2016, the organisation celebrated its 40th anniversary with a beautiful show titled Encore: 40th Anniversary Gala. The following year, 2017, NYMT presented the musical Imaginary.
Thus, The National Youth Music Theatre is a vital component of British cultural life. The very purpose of its activity fully justifies the value of its work. The organisation helps to discover new talent and does its utmost to help them realise their potential.
Thanks to numerous projects, the company has boldly made a name for itself. Its productions have certainly been a hit with audiences. But beyond this, NYMT’s success is undoubtedly also secured by its close collaboration with Edinburgh’s major festivals. These events attract audiences in their thousands, meaning it is much easier to find an audience there. Fortunately for The National Youth Music Theatre, it all worked out.
