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BIRMINGHAM

HIPPODROME | 25-27 APRIL 2025

In partnership with

BY CARL MILLER AND LUKE SAYDON

director: emily graY choreographer: ash mukherjee

WELCOME

Welcome to BYMT’s 2025 Season, which has been skilfully curated by our Young Company Panel. This production opens a third year of partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, building on our shared commitments to creating new musicals and supporting young people.

Our production of a one-act version of The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train at Dundee Rep in 2023 resonated strongly with a young company inspired by its story of self-discovery and finding family. The cast encouraged the writers to develop it further by developing characters and writing more songs. BYMT also responded to our young company’s request to revisit the show, so here we are in 2025 remembering the brilliant ideas and energy of the first cast, while delighting in the discoveries of this current company. The show’s themes have become ever more relevant as it has grown in its ambition and depth.

As the director of both the show and of BYMT, it has been a privilege to collaborate with all the professional theatre makers, young performers and musicians who have brought this story to life over the past two weeks.

Thank you also to the freelance creative, technical and pastoral team members who have made this production possible through their commitment to young people’s creativity and safety. I am so grateful to the BYMT staff team, our Board and funders who support the company throughout the year, believing that our projects can and will shape the future of new music theatre.

We wanted to create a show which took its inspiration from reality, but is set in an imagined world full of deep feeling and fun, driven by the desires and energies of its child characters. We hope you enjoy the ride!

Emily Gray

a naughty journey...

There was a real Orphan Train – lots of them in fact. Between the 1850s and the 1920s they transported 250,000 children in the United States, away from the streets of crowded and supposedly sin-filled cities to rural locations considered physically and spiritually healthier.

Some of the motivation for the Trains was genuine distress at the terrible effects of poverty on children, but many attitudes behind them were patronising, stereotyping and racist in their convictions about what made good and bad environments for young people. There was little oversight to protect children from being placed in families who exploited and abused them. Similar movements transported children from their homes in other countries - in 2010 the UK government apologised for the effects of the historic Child Migrants Programme here.

Luke Saydon was struck by the way children were paraded for selection at each station stop of the Orphan Trains and inspired to imagine ‘The Naughty Carriage’ – where children who are not chosen end up. In 2021 Luke successfully pitched the first ideas for the show at national musical theatre showcase BEAM - following that, director Emily Gray and co-writer Carl Miller joined Luke for further development, including with musical theatre students at Leeds Conservatoire. This Birmingham Hippodrome premiere of the two-act version of the show also builds on insights from the glorious BYMT cast and team from the 2023 Dundee Rep one-act version.

Orphans are often significant music theatre characters: Wagner’s Tristan, the Pirates of Penzance (their weak spot being that they will never attack a fellow orphan), Billy Budd, Hamilton, Annie… Plus plenty of orphan-adjacent characters like Oliver, who believe they have no parents. There is great dramatic potential in the gap between the compassionate rhetoric expressed for parentless children and their actual experience, frequently of neglect and exploitation. At a time when many young people experience economic and political assault: poor children, migrant children, trans children and others - we want to celebrate the energy and potential of the rebellious, different and undervalued.

We have been inspired by current and former looked-after children in the development of the show, as participants in workshops and productions, and as audience members feeding back to us. The first song written for the show came from just such a story - a choir member whose life and work inspired ‘The Bear Who Drinks Tears’. We are very grateful to her and everyone who has come on this journey since.

Luke Saydon and Carl Miller (writers)

About british youth music theatre

We set the stage for motivated young people ready to create their own narrative.

British Youth Music Theatre is an organisation built on community. Our young people are at the heart of our work, and involvement extends far beyond performance.

We support 11-21 year olds by equipping them with both the training and opportunities to step into their creative potential. Our workshops, camps and productions provide young people with the resources, guidance and knowledge to develop their skills, and our culture of authenticity, collaboration, and generosity inspires confidence in their abilities.

We don’t believe anyone with creative aspirations should be left behind, and encourage all young people to join our community. Future theatre makers are provided a pathway into the industry through our nurturing process, and we champion the potential of every individual and support the discovery of their unique journey.

thank you to our supporters

FUNDERS

Schroder Charitable Trust

The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation

The Agency

BOARD

Lexine Lee

Jimmy Jewell

Roger Jones

Simon Millson (Chair)

Aniela Shuckburgh

Phillip Siddle

Lucy Stocks

Francesca Unsworth

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD

Bridget Kalloushi (Finance)

Rachel Victor-Sampson (Inclusivity)

Please take a few minutes to complete our audience survey to help us understand who we’re reaching with our work, and how we can improve in the future.

FRIENDS

Alastair Roberts

Barry Anns

Emma Shaw

Helen Page

Kate Suh

Francesca Stuckey Howard

Jeff Stratford

Simon Millson

Tim Sawers

Sarah Double

Fern Stoner

Rebecca Nice

Jaimie Brown

When you become a friend of British Youth Music Theatre, you open doors for the next generation of people keeping theatre alive.

25% of our young performers and musicians receive bursaries - could you support them today?

We would like to thank the following people for their valuable contribution to our work:

Birmingham Hippodrome Staff

Nancy Poole PR

Photography by Simon Hadley

Artwork by Cherry Kwan

Videography by Greta Zabulyte

Our Creative Work Placements: Cyrus Atkinson, Emily Bonnet and Hannah Elwin

Birmingham Reparatory Theatre Prop Stores

All the Staff at Oswestry High School

Hillscourt Hotel

creative team

LUKE SAYDON COMPOSER, LYRICIST & MUSICAL DIRECTOR

saydonstudio.com

EMILY GRAY DIRECTOR

Luke writes new musicals, he likes waving his hands in front of singers and he’s disliked by most pianos for overenthusiastic playing. He has previously worked with BYMT on The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train (2023), Burst (2023, 2024) and Let it Snow (2023).

Luke is a queer composer, musical director & theatre maker creating work with organisations including BYMT, Some Voices, The Old Vic, Museum of London, Wyllyotts Theatre and The British Library. Recent musicals include Il-Każin tal-Imqarbin, It-Teatru tal-Miskin (Best Production National Arts Awards 2023), The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train (BEAM2021, Dundee Rep, BYMT).

Luke leads Kor Kwir, Malta’s first queer choir, and is the founder of Saydon Studio - a new theatre collective that makes and shares new musical theatre within communities.

CARL MILLER WRITER & LYRICIST

carl-miller.uk

Carl’s music theatre writing includes Wasted (Southwark Playhouse and Seoul, Korea); and Yarico (London Theatre Workshop) and A Little Princess (The Other Palace) both also directed by Emily Gray. His other writing for young performers or family audiences includes Emil and the Detectives (National Theatre) and Ostrich Boys (Belgrade Coventry and National Theatre Company of Korea).

He has been Artistic Director of the Royal Court Young People’s Theatre, and an Associate Director of Birmingham Rep and Unicorn. He is a mentor for LGBT+ young people’s charity Just Like Us and Freedom From Torture’s Write to Life group.

Emily has been Creative Director and Chief Executive of British Youth Music Theatre since May 2022 and directed The Naughty Carriage On The Orphan Train at Dundee Rep in 2023. She also enjoys being part of the creative team for BYMT auditions and Discover Music Theatre workshop days in schools and with community groups.

Emily was Executive Director of Mercury Musical Developments, Artistic Director of Trestle Theatre Company and has directed productions for the National Youth Theatre and Unicorn Theatre. She loves how BYMT brings the innovators of music theatre together with young people to create relevant and powerful new musicals.

ASH MUKHERJEE CHOREOGRAPHER

Ash Mukherjee is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans dance, theatre, and screen. Recognised by Dance Europe Magazine as one of the finest Indian classical dancers of his generation, he was selected to duet with Michael Jackson’s This Is It! team at London’s O2 Arena. His televised solo blending temple dance with Man in the Mirror, created with Lavelle Smith Jr., was broadcast to over three million viewers on BBC Three. His choreographic work includes So You Think You Can Dance (BBC), Katie Melua’s The Flood, and theatre productions such as The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train (Dundee Rep) and Welcome to Serene for BYMT. In his time as Movement Director for the Citizens of the World Refugee Choir, he has performed at Buckingham Palace and Glastonbury. Screen credits

include The Eternals (Marvel), House of the Dragon (HBO), and Will (TNT). He is also Creative Director of The Pride Heart Project, supporting LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers through the arts.

CLAIRE NICOLL SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER

Claire graduated in Technical Theatre from Edinburgh College specialising in set and prop design. She was also their Artist in Residence, working alongside staff to engage and inspire current students.

Claire has also worked for a number of years in the costume department for many theatre productions and films including The West End Production of Grease (Dominion Theatre, 2023) The Lion King (2022/23 UK tour), Educating Rita (Perth Theatre), Mary and George (Hera pictures LTD), Good Omens 2 (Nice and Accurate Productions), Memory Spinners (Scottish Opera), Singing and Rainbows (Perth Festival of the Arts).

TheNaughtyCarriageontheOrphanTrain at Dundee Rep in 2023 was Claire’s debut role as designer and she is very excited to help bring this production to life for a second time.

SARAN DAVIES PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN

Saran is an eclectic and versatile musician carving an exciting path across musical theatre, session recordings, and pop music. After six years of intense study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, Saran has quickly made her mark on the industry with a unique blend of technical excellence and genre-spanning creativity. Career highlights include holding the cello chair in the smash-hit West End musical Why Am I So Single?, penned by Six writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Saran’s talents also feature on the official soundtrack of Disney’s highly anticipated 2025 release of Snow White.

Saran brings passion, precision, and a dynamic musical voice to every project, establishing herself as a soughtafter presence in London’s vibrant music scene.

MARCIN ‘POLSKI’ WEBER SOUND DESIGNER AND FOH ENGINEER

Marcin started his career in the theatre industry in 2004 in London’s New Wimbledon Theatre where he worked from Casual In-House Technician to Head of Sound on many musicals of various sizes. Marcin followed a natural progression into Sound Design, and when the opportunity to work for BYMT came along - Marcin decided to take it. Marcin says - “Working with young people, their raw energy and passion, is great fun and it’s very rewarding - when the sound is managed successfully on stage, the young talent shines. Early introduction to the technical side of stage work helps young people to feel comfortable on stage when progressing further in their career.”

Marcin’s first BYMT project was Welcome to Serene in 2024 and this year Marcin was very happy to join the team again on Naughty Carriage on The Orphan Train

CREATIVE TEAM

Composer & Lyricist

Bookwriter & Lyricist

Orchestrator

Director

Musical Director

Choreographer

Designer

Production Manager

Stage Manager

Deputy Stage Manager

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer

Sound & Lighting

Luke Saydon

Carl Miller

Luke Saydon with contributions by Taekkeun Sim and Cyrus Atkinson

Emily Gray

Luke Saydon

Ash Mukherjee

Claire Nicoll

Lewis Moore

Helena Sim

Katherine Verberne

Holly Ellis

Marcin ‘Polski’ Weber Core UK Production Services and Cross Light and Sound

Assistant Musical Director

Assistant Designer

Assistant Stage Manager

Professional Musician

Transport

Cyrus Atkinson

Emily Bonnet

Hannah Elwin

Saran Davies

3 Point

YOUNG COMPANY

Zahra Bew

Man Ki Mika Cheung

Oliver Clay

Red Ruth Fry

The Bear Who Drinks Tears

Ashton Davies-Beedles

Amber Dawes

Alice Di Maio

Bethany Doy

Kristian Doyle

Norm

Little P

Clemency Castle

Police Officer Green

Goodman Castle

The Company also play other orphans, parents, reporters, photographers, wolves - and provide puppetry for the Bear and his Tears.

Thank you to Beatrice Husband for contributions to rehearsals.

MUSICIANS

Audrey Escobar Pérez

Louisa Garner

Romilly Gillis

Jasper Haley

Rexie Handyside

Nour Hassan

Daniel Jack

Nel Jenkins

Henry (Reg) Johnson

Lottie Keevil

Nicholas Ladd

Ella Grace Lee

Lawrence Lee

Joseph (Joey) Leonidou

Tara Mackness

Amelia Martin

Sloane Martin

Pethahiah Grace Jaz

Biscuit

Ulf Fibbeson

Amelia Airace

Edna Delygne

Derek Fry Cob

Henrik Fibbeson

Evangeline Bruce

Lena Pickles

Scab

Dance Captain & Squeak

Police Officer Dixon

Stiff

Luke Saydon

Cyrus Atkinson

Saran Davies

Taran McNeil

Leo Main

Phoebe McFadden

Mary-Kate McKeag

Blaize Middleton

Will O’Brien

Darcey Oswin

Tallulah Rogowski-Lane

Eiry Shi

Ella Standring

Josh Turner

Fidget

Hedda Fibbeson

Champ

Penninah Good

Bridget

Hildy Hackslinger

Appoline

Philomena Fry

Agatha (Aggie) Woodhead

Eli Yim

Keys 1

Keys 2 Cello

Young Instrumentalist (saxophone, clarinet, flute)

Young Instrumentalist (drums)

PASTORAL TEAM

Pastoral Lead

Pastoral Team Member

BYMT TEAM

Chief Executive & Creative Director

Finance Director

Producer

Head of Development

Max Harris

Olivia Mann

Eoin Kelly

Lydia Turner

Emily Gray

Clare Russell

Milly Summer

Frances Nicholson

Casting & Young Company Manager

Welfare & Outreach Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing & Office Assistant

Production Assistant

PATRONS

Brandywine Madge

Inga

Cerys Jones

Joshua Gordon

Naomi Smith

Charlotte Brown Ed Hill

James Bourne, Jean Diamond, Peter

Duncan, Grace Mouat, Ed Sheeran MBE, Zoë

Wanamaker CBE

Now you know all about us, we’d love to hear about you!

Take a few minutes to tell us about you and your experience today. It helps us grow, improve, and keep creating brilliant new musicals!

Strasbourg, 1518. A town living on the edge, having recently been through multiple plagues and famines. Religion dominates, but the church cannot solve the mystery of the dancing townspeople who just can’t stop.

Join us this summer for